Rosie is in the winning ‘Hobbit’ Teenager will representteam GB in France
A tiny teenager who rows in The Hobbit was praised as an inspiration to others, after being selected for the GB Junior team against France.
Rosie Payne (16) will take part in the women’s junior 16 single sculls at the competition in Valenciennes, France, on Sunday, July 10.
The Hamilton Grammar pupil has been rowing for four years and narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the British Championships, but has numerous Scottish Championship titles to her name.
Mum Corinne says if Rosie can achieve success in rowing then everybody can, since her daughter is far from the typical image of a rowing star.
Corinne said: “Rosie is taking part in the GB v France match, which takes place every summer, having attended trials in Nottingham on Sunday.
“She won the time trial and raceoff in women’s junior 16 single sculls.
“This is the biggest thing she has achieved so far. Rosie has taken part in British Championships, and narrowly missed a bronze, and it’s a case of building on that achievement. She has won multiple Scottish Championships.
“Like many young people Rosie was inspired by the London 2012 Olympics.
“Coming from gymnastics, she was looking for a sport, headed down to the watersports centre at Strathclyde Park, and really took to it.
“It’s a sport that takes a particular mind-set, and she works really hard. I think Rosie is living proof that anybody can give rowing a try and succeed at it.
She is atypical, and there is an understanding that most rowers are tall people – this wee Scottish girl proves that with the right amount of hard work and determination, anything is possible.
“She’s so small that she had to have oars custom made, and uses such a lightweight boat that it’s nicknamed ‘The Hobbit’.
“All the boats are named after movies, but that seemed appropriate for our smallest boat.”
Corinne also says Rosie’s success shows others at Strathclyde Park Rowing Club what is possible if they work hard enough. She said: “Rosie has been rowing for four years this summer and this is the biggest thing she has achieved so far.
“The club is delighted. SPRC is a volunteer-led club and to achieve success like this amongst the biggest clubs in the country is really fantastic.”