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Rowing in the South West: Looking back at Olympic pathway dreams in Nottingham

Three major events took place across two days on one lake in Nottingham this past April, with 14 year olds to university students all racing on a path that leads to international representation

The South West GB Performance Development Academy is on the lookout for future Olympic athletes across two rowing regions:  Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucestershire and Somerset and the West region. With performance rowing centres based in Bath and Hartpury, 14 year olds right up to university students have the opportunity to learn from each other – and at no time better than a few weekends ago, in Nottingham.

The Junior Inter-Regional Regatta is the first opportunity most young athletes get to represent something more than their club. Taking place on Saturday 25 April 2026, athletes from across the UK were selected to race for their regions. On the same weekend, an Olympic talent camp ended with the Olympic Pathway Development Regatta, and the final open trials for U19s took place to decide the junior 2026 GB Rowing Team.

Credit: AllMarkOne

“It was really great to have all the athletes together taking part in one weekend,” said Minerva Bath Rowing Club coach Gemma Peters. “The connectivity between the age groups was really good. Some of our less experienced athletes were getting thrown into the deep end a little bit, but it’s good for them to be in the deep end. One of our athletes Liv is a junior athlete herself, but she’s been able to mentor the athletes even more junior than her, coming up and racing at events like this for the first time, taking their first steps on the Olympic Pathway.”

Last summer, Phoebe Asquith won the Women’s 16 Solos at the 91��ɫ Beach Sprint Championships for Hartpury University and College Boat Club, and she was recently part of the fastest Women’s crew at Junior Sculling Head. She was at Nottingham in April for the U19 GB Rowing Team Trials.

 

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“The build up has been a lot of training, lots of hours, lifting heavier. Lots of tests on the erg to make me faster. I’m trying to get my tech right, because obviously you can’t have speed without tech.”

Phoebe’s little sister Bethany raced at the Junior Inter Regional Regatta, so having the events on the same weekend meant Phoebe was able to cheer her on. “I love watching my sister race, hopefully she’ll be following in my footsteps!”

Phoebe’s hopes aren’t in vain, as Bethany’s very happy to be tracing the same path as her older sister. “I just want to be like my sister to be honest.” Bethany raced in the Women’s J15 Double Sculls for WAGS and Wales, winning the B Final with her partner Emily.

Sunday saw the Olympic Pathway Development Regatta, where the South West GB Performance Development Academy raced to victory for the second year in a row.

Rebekah Court finished first in the Women’s Open Single Sculls and Ella Fullman won silver in the U23 category, both representing the University of Bath Boat Club, as well as the South West GB Performance Development Academy.

Gyr Balmer finished silver in the U23 Open Single Sculls, also representing the University of Bath Boat Club. Archie Norton, racing for Minerva Bath Rowing Club, came second in the U21 category.

City of Bristol Rowing Club’s Finn Walker won the Open J18 Single Sculls, whilst Gracie Janes of Hartpury University and College Boat Club won the Women’s category. The South West Academy’s youngest medalist was Vienna Townsend, who finished silver in the J16 Women’s race.

 

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Outside of medals, the Regatta rounded off a sparkling weekend for the South West. Performance Development Coach for the South West Tom Selby was pleased with the results.

“It’s a real privilege to be part of the Olympic Pathway Development Regatta. Having beginners and GB trialists racing side by side, fully supported by 91��ɫ, creates real opportunity and accessibility. Bringing athletes together from across the region and taking the title for a second season highlights the depth in the South West and the impact of regional coaching. we will continue to push and see the potential of the South West!”