New Zealand's under-23 rowing programme has confirmed a 17-strong squad for next month's World Rowing Championships in Duisburg, drawing athletes from clubs and universities across New Zealand and North America. The regatta runs from 22 to 26 July.
The women's quad brings together Madison Neale, Emma Bagrie, Tegan O'Dwyer, and Harriet Thompson under coach Mark Stallard. Neale and Thompson row for Dunstan Arm, O'Dwyer competes for Waikato, and Bagrie is based at Stanford University, giving the crew a reach that extends well beyond the Tasman.
Dunstan Arm features heavily in the men's programme as well. Fynn Allison, Mathew King, and Jack Pearson, all from Dunstan Arm, are joined by Clayton Potts of Clifton in the men's quad, with Nick Barton coaching the crew.
Calvin Ferguson takes charge of two crews: the men's coxless pair and the eight. In the pair, Tadhg Farac of North Shore partners Charles Beale from Waikato.
The eight is the largest boat in the New Zealand team and carries a strong North American university connection. Oliver Leach rows for Auckland Rowing Club and studies at the University of Washington. Dylan McConnell trains with Waikato and attends the University of Pennsylvania. Sam Woodgate is at Harvard, Luke Hickling rows for Northeastern, and Nicholas Bryan is based at Syracuse University. Matthew Glen and Joshua Syme complete the crew. No coxswain had been named ahead of the championships.
Madeline Cox, who competes for Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club and studies at the University of California, Berkeley, has been named as a travelling reserve. Jared Cummings will manage the team in Germany.
For many in this group, Duisburg marks a meaningful point on the pathway toward senior international competition. Racing the world's leading rowing nations at under-23 level offers a clear measure of where the squad stands, and for those with elite ambitions, the regatta is a chance to show they are ready to make that step up.
