New Zealand’s U23 rowing squad will head to Duisburg next month carrying serious medal ambitions. Selected through a gruelling trials process that culminated in June, the team represents a blend of domestic talent and athletes sharpening their skills at American universities, all converging on the world stage for the first time as a cohesive unit.
The selection pathway was unforgiving. New Zealand-based rowers endured initial trials in March, followed by weeks at Rowing New Zealand’s Karāpiro base before facing final elimination trials from 15–20 June. Those three days demanded everything: 2K ergometer tests, relentless seat races, and a brutal time trial where only the best earned their berth to Germany.
Madison Neale and Tegan O’Dwyer built their credentials at home. Neale claimed bronze in the Senior Women’s Quad at the national championships while winning the Senior Women’s Double title. O’Dwyer, meanwhile, notched five silver medals at nationals and became the first recipient of Waikato’s Red Coat, awarded to the most outstanding female rower at the club. They’ll row alongside Harriet Thompson from Washington State University and Emma Bagrie of Stanford University, who brings experience from two U19 World Championships. The women’s quad blends local excellence with collegiate polish.
The men’s coxless pair of Charles Beale and Tadhg Farac stayed on home waters throughout selection. Beale earned bronze in Waikato’s Senior Coxed Eight while Farac won silver in North Shore’s Senior Four. Both have tasted international competition at the U22 Oceania Regatta and represented the North Island in 2025. They arrive in Germany as a proven crew.
Four men will race the quad. Jack Pearson and Matthew King carry the experience of last year’s U23 World Championships, where they competed in the double. Clayton Potts and Fynn Allison make their U23 debut after impressive trials, with Allison’s performance at the selection trials earning particular recognition. Three quarters of this quad hail from Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, a cohesion that matters in boats where timing separates winners from also-rans.
The eight carries the heaviest expectation. Last year’s silver medal crew is gone, but Nicholas Bryan returns as the sole survivor from that boat. Dylan McConnell steps in from the pair that finished ninth at last year’s U23 championships. Five members—Luke Hickling, Joshua Syme, Sam Woodgate, Oliver Leach, and Matthew Glen—raced the Men’s Eight at U19 level, giving them junior world championship pedigree. Ted Mayne and the others round out a crew with genuine medals experience.
This generation rows with something to prove. The trials were designed to sort committed athletes from casual hopefuls, and those who made it to Duisburg earned every spot. Madeline Cox travels as travelling reserve, ready if needed. Whether the squad returns with medals or hard lessons, these rowers will have tested themselves against the world’s best before their twenties end.
