The GB trials process runs through the year. In November, over 80 young women start their GB journey, and through the next series of trials, this number is whittled down to a hand full of young women who have proven to the best in the country.
Headington qualified a phenominal 6 trialists: 5 rowers and 1 cox to the GB final crew formation in July. The following days saw these rowers going Head to Head against the best rowers across Great Britain in a bid to represent their country at an interternational event.
The World U19 Rowing Championships:
This is the pinical of junior of rowing anywhere in the world. Two girls qualified to represent the eight: Sophie returned from a succesful season in 2022 to return as the GB U19 Women's cox together with Helena as a rower in the Women's Eight. Headington's Head Coach, Ryan Demaine, was tasked with the task of JW sweep Lead so watched over the coaching of the eight and the four at the Worlds rather than directly taking a crew.
The 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championships took place in Paris, France, from the 2nd to 6th of August 2023. In Paris, the eight came second in its heat, which meant that they would have to come in the top two in the repecharge to make the final. After a hard faught rep, the crew placed second to a strong American crew.
The final was an incredibly close fought race. Coming in as a fourth ranked crew would mean that they would have to get everthing right in order to medal. In a stunning display of tactical racing, the Great Britain crew surged ahead with last than 10 strokes to go. A photo finnish concluded 0.24 seconds separated 1st and 4th place. The GB women's eight securing a brilliant Gold in the event.
The Coupe de la Jenesse:
The Coupe de la Jeunesse 2023 was held in Amsterdam from 28th-30th July. Alice and Maggie were selected to race in the Junior Women’s Coxless Four. As well as racing for a place on the podium, the girls were racing to get the maximum amount of points to go towards the overall team awards.
After winning their heat on the Saturday, they progressed to the A final where they won silver. They then got the chance to race again on the Sunday where they once again won silver.
This helped the GB team win all three overall trophies and contributed to a historic run at Coupe, where every athlete won at least one medal.
Home Countries International:
The Home Countries took place in Lough Rinn Ireland on the 22nd July 2023. Emma and Mia were selected to be in the Junior Women's Coxed Four and the Junior Women's Eight.
Both Emma and Mia won the Junior Women's Eight and secured a strong silver medal in the Women's Coxed Four.
This contributed to the Team England win for the Juniors and England winning overall. Well done Mia and Emma.
It was a great end to the season.
Photos of our Summer Internationals:
Worlds Media: Benedict Tufnell for British Rowing
