Duo are oarsome talents
ROWERS IN BID FOR GB GLORY ON THE WATER
2021 could yet prove an oarsome year for two of the region’s most promising young rowers, writes TONY HODGSON.
Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club’s Matthew Cleugh and Caitlin Warren hope to push the boat out at this summer’s World and European Junior Championships.
The talented duo had been earmarked by British Rowing as potential members of the junior team last summer after excellent performances in the previous winter’s trials.
The pandemic frustratingly called a halt to their expected progress – but now Cleugh, 17, and 18-year-old Warren are keen to make their mark internationally when competition resumes.
Their next target will be GB trials expected later this spring and early summer as they look to follow in the footsteps of CARC team-mate Joseph Adamson, who already competes for GB at under-23 level.
Cleugh said: “Adapting my training throughout lockdown has been a unique experience but I have kept my motivation high.
“My coach and family have been there to support me and my coaches have helped me with my training by dedicating their time through Zoom training sessions.
“I believe I am in a good position to push for a GB place and I am excited for the future.”
Warren said: “Training in lockdown has been a learning curve.
“It allowed me keep up my training while at home while joining the Zoom calls with my coaches and other club members.
“Going into the trials I feel I am in a good position.”
Club spokesman Stephen Thompson said: “Matt has been ranked in the top 15 in his age group, which puts him in a solid position for trials when they happen.
“Caitlin was ranked second as an 18-year-old but was one day too old to compete internationally as a junior. So she has started the under-23 process early as Joseph did last year and could be invited to that trial as her ergo [rowing machine performance] is in the top 30%.
“Both Matt and Caitlin trained hard during lockdown, attending club Zoom sessions practically on a daily basis.
“Their hard work on the rowing machine over late summer paid off as they were both ranked highly in the GB Team ergo assessments, which would have resulted in them being invited to training camps and water trials.
“The World and European Junior Championships in August are still going ahead and offer a huge incentive for Matty and Caitlin.
“There are constant ergo tests for both and the next water test should be in April in Nottingham.”
Thompson added: “From Caitlin’s perspective it has been doubly frustrating, as last year it looked very positive for her to achieve some sort of GB vest.
“She had performed well at the previous November trial and was invited to a GB junior team camp in Spain, only for Covid to hit.
“We decided she should go for the under-23 GB team, as Joseph did as a junior last year so successfully.
“Caitlin was allowed to take part in the process, having to submit her ergo time along with Olympians and professional rowers.
“It was very pleasing when her rowing machine time looked to have made the cut as she was placed in the top 30%.
“This bodes well for the future and we are hopeful she can showcase what she can do on the water in the late spring.”