Given the success in Tokyo and this being year two of the Olympic cycle towards Paris 2024, Rowing Ireland’s High Performance have decided to drive an initiative to further develop, discover and provide an opportunity for all Under 23 athletes; University and Club, to Participate in the Pathway Project. 

This project is focused on selecting a crew/s for both men and women to compete at the U23 European Worlds, held on the 3rd and 4th of September (after the Irish Championships) in Hazewinkel, Belgium. 

This is likely to be a once off initiative to help identify talent and introduce athletes to the HP system. 

*Note: This project includes rowers as well as coxswains.

Through this program Rowing Ireland seeks to: 

  • Provide the top U23 Irish rowers (post Irish championships), the opportunity to be selected in a crew which will compete on behalf of Ireland against Europe’s best. 
  • Have access to international coaches and train at the Irish National Rowing Centre. 
  • Train alongside the high-performance team including the senior team with Olympic medalists
  • Further develop physically and technically and being better prepared for the following season and years to come. 
  • High Performance experience and for many athletes, the first steps on the HP ladder. 

Eligibility

Athletes from any Irish (North/South) University or Irish based clubs (rower/ coxswains) born on or after January 1st, 2000 are eligible to nominate. 

Nominations

  • Nominations will open May the 25th and are to be submitted to by the 29th of June including completion of the nomination form to michael.orourke@rowingireland.ie

Nominations will be considered on various physiological standards and/or the Selection teams discretion. Athletes looking to nominate should be aware that the benchmark 2km ergometer time is 6min 15 secs or faster for men, and 7min and 20 seconds for women . 

  • Should you be selected to be part of the pathway squad relocation to the National Rowing Centre in Cork is required from Saturday the 23rd of July 
  • Final crew selection will take place on the 31st of July 2022. Should you be selected in a crew you will be required to stay at the National Training Centre,  training alongside the High-Performance team preparing for Worlds until departure for Europeans on the 3rd of September 2022.  

*Note: initial invitation to the centre does not guarantee selection. This will be dependent on a selection process that will take place from the 23rd of July to the 31st of July. 

Expenses

Rowing Ireland will work to cover a component of the expenses regarding the competition and Rowing Ireland gear, but in line with previous competitions, athletes will be required to pay a levy fee of around €650 (flights/accommodation). 

In line with existing athletes training as part of the High-Performance team individuals will be required to cover their own accommodation and living costs when staying in Cork. Athletes can leverage Rowing Ireland accommodation agreement with a local university allowing for affordable student housing.