JUNIOR SQUAD FAQS

The High Performance Squad is mixed. The girls and boys in the Performance Squads train separately. There is a mixed group for those who want to row recreationally (see Junior Club Squad).

Juniors can start rowing with Lea R.C. at 12 years old (Year 8). Most girls and boys begin at 12–14 years old, although some juniors join us when they are older.

The Junior Squad has been one of the club’s biggest success stories over the years. We were proud to win sports club of the year at the 12th Annual Hackney Youth Sports Awards, announced in February 2018. Our achievements on the national and international stage are too numerous to mention here. Some highlights are below and more detailed information is on our Hall of Fame web page. Our international achievements In 2018, four Lea Junior girls (Rosa Millard, Ella Sharman, Molly Foxell and Laura Ellington) represented Great Britain, winning the annual J16 GB vs France competition in an eight. Two of our junior boys (Jasper den Dulk and Louis Powell) represented England in the double sculls at the Home International Regatta. Lea R.C. Junior Champions In 2018, Lea Juniors were crowned British Champions in both WJ18 2- (Elsa Froggatt-Brown, Rachel McDonald) and WJ16 4+ (Rosa Millard, Laura Ellington, Ella Sharman, Molly Foxell, Lyla Downey) categories. Lea Blues Former Lea R.C. Junior Maddy Badcott rowed for Oxford twice in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat race, being elected President in her final year. Maddy Badcott also rowed for Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Rowing is a highly competitive, medium endurance sport and takes place outdoors all year round. Members are expected to commit to regular training in the gym after school in order to develop the correct movement patterns, technique, strength and fitness. Junior training takes place in school term time, though some older groups of athletes continue to train during the school holidays. Racing in junior rowing takes place in year groups and attendance requirements rise as young athletes get older, rising to eight to ten sessions per week for 16–18 year-olds.

We do not offer any courses but but juniors may join our Junior Club Squad, our entry level, at any time throughout the year.

The coaches will have at least Level 2 United Kingdom Certificate in Coaching (UKCC) and will have completed a First Aid training course and attended a Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop. All coaches are DBS checked. More information about our coaches can be found on our Coaches page.

To join Lea R.C. juniors need to be able to swin at least 100 metres in light clothing.

For fees applicable to the current season can be downloaded from Membership & Fees on our Resources & Downloads page

If you would like to find out more about rowing with Lea R.C. Juniors, want to come and have a look or would even like to attend a training session to see what it’s like, please ask a parent or guardian to contact Junior Rowing via our Contact page