WA Rowers Selected for World Cup Campaign

Western Australian rowers have earned the opportunity to represent their country at international level after Rowing Australia today announced its crews to compete at World Cups 2 and 3 in Europe.

Held in Poznan, Poland from June 15-18 and Lucerne, Switzerland from July 7-9 the Australian team features Rio Olympian David Watts and senior team debutant James Kerr.

The squads were selected after a period of seat trials in Penrith with Australian team performance director Bernard Savage suggesting that the athletes within this core group can lead the nation on towards the next Olympic Games.

“The team features not only our experienced Olympians and past Senior Team athletes, but also a number of U23 athletes who have made the step up this year. This team, while young, will no doubt be highly competitive and is one we look to develop over the next four years,” Savage said.

“The rigorous process saw the selectors endeavour to pick the most competitive crews for the upcoming World Cups. Where we have selected squads, the reasoning behind this was to ensure our fastest crews were ultimately put on the water and to maintain strong competition for seats within those squads.”

25 year-old Watts has earned selection in the men’s double scull where he will row with Canberra’s Luke Letcher.

Kerr – who has previously rowed for Australia at U23 level, has been given a seat in the lightweight men’s quad scull. This boat presently, is only scheduled to contest World Cup 3 in Switzerland.

Sydney based West Aussie Joshua Hicks has been selected in the Australian men’s coxless four, whilst Kerr’s WAIS training partner Cameron Fowler is reserve for the lightweight scull squad.