FUTURE Olympians could use the city as their training ground as the University of York is named one of 10 British Rowing centres in the UK.
The status is in recognition of the development of the university’s World Class Start Olympic pathway programme - this identifies, trains and develops potential Olympic athletes, aged between 14 and 22, towards achieving a place on the GB Rowing Team.
In 2015, the university was named the British Rowing World Class Start centre for Yorkshire. British Rowing’s latest decision extends that status and continuation of the programme until March 2021.
Prospective athletes do not need previous rowing experience. Instead they are identified based on their physical attributes and willingness to work hard, and each centre employs a full-time coach to work with athletes in their bid to become elite rowers.
The university works with York City Rowing Club to deliver the programme.
Athletes identified as suitable for the programme develop their land-based training at the university’s York Sport Centre and Boat Club, while water-based training takes place from the university and City of York boat houses on the River Ouse.
York’s World Class Start centre currently has six athletes training to become elite rowers. Stuart Hosie was recently recognised as Active York Sportsman of the Year, benefitting from extra support as a University of York Santander Sports Scholar.
Run by British Rowing coach Matthew Paul, the centre’s achievements include athletes winning national titles and catching the eye of GB Rowing Team coaches at Senior and Under 23 Trials.
Keith Morris, university head of sport, said: “We were delighted to initially gain recognition as a World Class Start centre for Yorkshire back in 2015 but are even more so now the partnership has been extended. We believe York’s status as a regional centre recognises our close working relationship with British Rowing and supports the u and the York City Rowing Club’s investment in facilities and coaching support for rowers.”
Sir David Tanner, British Rowing’s performance director, said: “World Class Start plays such an important role in discovering future Olympic rowers. As part of the programme you’ll have access to one-to-one coaching, attend training camps and meet other athletes who dream of winning Olympic gold. Great Britain has a strong tradition of developing world-class rowers and with Start’s help you could be on the podium at the 2024 Olympic Games.”
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