New Zealand has named a squad of 17 rowers for the U23 World Rowing Championships in Duisburg next month, drawing talent from clubs across the country and universities on both sides of the Tasman.
The women’s quad of Madison Neale, Emma Bagrie, Tegan O’Dwyer, and Harriet Thompson represents a blend of domestic and overseas-based athletes. Neale and Thompson both row for Dunstan Arm, while Bagrie competes for Stanford University and O’Dwyer for Waikato. Mark Stallard will coach the crew into the 22-26 July regatta.
On the men’s side, Dunstan Arm and Avon clubs have supplied the bulk of the squad. The men’s quad features four rowers from Dunstan Arm—Fynn Allison, Mathew King, and Jack Pearson—alongside Clayton Potts from Clifton. Nick Barton takes the coaching role.
The men’s coxless pair pairs Tadhg Farac of North Shore with Charles Beale from Waikato. Calvin Ferguson coaches this crew, and he also takes charge of the eight, the largest boat in the New Zealand team.
That eight has been built with an eye toward international competition. Oliver Leach rows for Auckland Rowing Club and studies at the University of Washington. Dylan McConnell attends the University of Pennsylvania while training with Waikato. Sam Woodgate is at Harvard; Luke Hickling rows for Northeastern. Matthew Glen, Joshua Syme, and Nicholas Bryan complete the crew, with Bryan studying at Syracuse University. The coxswain role remains unfilled ahead of the championships.
Madeline Cox of Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club and the University of California, Berkeley has been named as a travelling reserve. Jared Cummings will manage the team in Germany.
The U23 Worlds represent a significant step in the development of New Zealand rowers heading toward senior international competition. Duisburg will test the country’s younger talent against other leading rowing nations at a stage where crew development and Olympic pathway building are paramount. For many in this squad, the regatta offers a chance to prove they belong among the world’s best in their age group before moving into senior ranks.
