Gifted rower Ellie called up to GB squad in Czechia 09 August 2024

Promising rower Ellie has been selected to represent Great Britain in a prestigious international regatta. Ellie, a Year 13 student, will take part in the women’s quadruple sculls (W4x) in the 2024 Coupe de la Jeunesse in Racice, Czechia from Friday August 09 to Sunday August 11.

Ellie will be aiming to help Great Britain retain the Junior Women’s and Overall trophies in the competition for the second year in a row. Her inspiring journey to selection for the Women’s Juniors squad is testament to her determination, having begun rowing for BMS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She participated in almost every online session on a rowing machine loaned to her by the school. Prior to her selection, she juggled her A Level studies and rowing commitments, including completing the GB Rowing team Junior Trials, a December training camp and Spring assessments. She also battled illness and post-viral fatigue for seven weeks, which caused her to miss Bedford Regatta, the National Schools Regatta and Henley Women’s Regatta this year.

However, she showed enormous resilience during a race-off regatta on Wednesday 10 July to earn a spot in the final crew formation trials in Nottingham, which serve as the final GB selections. Her success in these trials, which took place between 12 to 16 July, ensured a place among 56 young rowers on the national team this weekend.

Ellie praised the rowing coaches at BMS, saying: “I have only got here through the inspiring training provided by Mr Bavington (Director of Rowing) and others including Mr James and Mr Kempsell, and I’d like to thank everyone at BMS Boat Club who’ve helped me get to this point.”

You can follow the action via livestream on the Czech Rowing Association YouTube channel across both days of racing.