Burford puts his oar in and shines for GB
A FIRST GB call-up has made it an oarsome summer for rising rowing star Harvey Burford, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 16-year-old prospect earned his maiden GB vest against France in Varies-sur-maine.
Burford, a year 11 pupil at Park View School in Chester-le-street, triumphed in the single sculls event and was also part of the crew which finished second in the quad race.
He qualified for the GB squad after impressing in trials at Nottingham in April.
CARC’S coaching team only entered Burford for experience initially and he started the trials in his single at the back of the pack due to him being relatively unknown at this age category, two years above his own.
However, he impressed the selectors with his outstanding time trial and gained a place in both the quad and single sculls events.
That national success, however, is only part of the story in 2022 for the talented County Durham oarsman.
Burford won gold at the Junior Inter-regional Championships and was also crowned British champion in the j16 singles, clubmate Jonny Cleugh triumphant in the j14 singles.
Burford came second in his single scull but managed to win the quad alongside sixth formers from Windsor Boys’ School and Nottingham County RC, beating a strong Welsh crew.
He has also represented the England under-18 squad, being part of the winning quad crew at the Home International Rowing
Regatta at London Docklands last month.
Club official Stephen Thompson said: “Chester-le-street ARC is establishing itself as one of the most consistent clubs in producing GB athletes for the junior and under-23 rowing teams.
“It is becoming more difficult for smaller clubs in the north like us to get juniors on the team and when it happens to driven, personable and committed kids like Harvey you cannot help but feel proud of them.
“Harvey has had an amazing season and is another lad who has inspired the younger ones at the club to really push on.
“He enjoys his rowing and is showing everyone at the club how you can come from just down the road and do brilliant things..
“There have been many successful junior rowers to come out of Chester-le-street but the season Harvey’s had shows what a talented and committed athlete he is.”
The club also enjoyed its most successful Junior Inter-regional Championships with a record four medals, two of which were gold.