Minerva Junior Squad: a year in review

4th January, 2024

2023 was a brilliant year for the juniors, with an emphasis on raising rowing standards and competing locally, regionally and nationally. But the biggest achievement has been the camaraderie and fun the junior squad have together. There is a strong bond between the juniors who are all polite, considerate and accommodating of everyone’s needs and personalities.

Minerva juniors welcomes every rower – whatever their ambition – and offers every rower the opportunity to train and develop as well as to enjoy being part of a great team who enjoy being together.

March

Minerva juniors rowed in the Inter regional trials in some of the strongest weather conditions and highest river imaginable. April saw three juniors compete at the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships at the Copper Bowl Arena in the Olympic Park. And in the same month, four J16 junior girls headed to Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, to represent WAGS & Wales at the Inter Regional Championships – their first experience of eight-lane competition.

May

Eight juniors went to Bradford Upon Avon to compete in their inter club race day and enjoyed the experience of friendly races and being on a different stretch of water. And two weeks later, 10 juniors (a J15 cox-less boys boat, a J17 cox-less girls boat and a J16 double) went to Eton Dorney to race at National Schools, the biggest date in the junior calendar. What an incredible experience for all!

July

The squad went to Bewdley Regatta and took part in Minerva’s summer pudding regatta in July (the paddle boarding session in the rain after was a highlight)! And six Juniors gained their single competency certificates.

August

We went to Gloucester to race in 6 single event and 2 double events. Charlotte took home a pot and Annabel raced in her first ever single race in a J14 category.

October

Our juniors raced against Alkmaar here on the Avon – fun being part of such a social and competitive event. And later in the month, 22 juniors raced in the Avon Head. It was a fantastic introduction to racing for many of our new members even if the logistics of boats, event categories and timings was tricky!

December

Minerva juniors joined forces with Millfield, entering a crew into the Bristol University Head race.

A huge thank you to Head Coach, James Nash, the volunteer co-ordinators Sue Lees and Emma Puzey, the wonderful club members who we sometimes call upon to help cox and our fantastic student helpers in 2023: Jamie, Immy, Anna, Nia, Gemma and Phoebe – we are so lucky to have you all. Watch this space for 2024… the Juniors Squad has exciting plans!