Four rowers from Rotorua go into the Waikato Regional Performance Squad…

“The aim of the Waikato Regional Performance Centre (WRPC) is to prepare the pre elite talent for Rowing New Zealand. .“Andrea Harper , Waikato Regional Performance Centre Manager.

New Selection: Natalie Hill

Renewed selection: Julia Edward – Summer Squad, Jeff Francis – Summer Squad, Claudia Hyde

A well deserved 2012-2013 Summer Squad place for Rotorua Rowing Club’s most elite member Julia Edward. Rotorua’s first rowing Olympian battled well in her class and gained 9^th in the Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls at the 2012 London Summer Olympics andwill be working hard to maintain her position in the New Zealand Squad as one of the world’s fastest rising stars.Julia gained a World Best Time (WBT) in her lightweight double heat at the 2012 Lucerne World Rowing Cup, and a Silver medal.She went on to win Gold at Munich in the 2012 World Cup Rowing Series.Edward is a finalist in the BNZ BOP Sportswoman of the Year category this year for the Waiariki Institute of Technology 2012 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards along with Rotorua Rowing Club’s newest  member of the WRPC - Natalie Hill.

Hill is a finalist in the BOP Polytechnic Secondary School Sportswoman of the Year category, after making her mark on the global rowing stage at the 2012 Junior World Rowing Championships earlier this year,

with a Bronze medal in the Women’s Quad Scull event .” I am training with the Waikato RPC every Saturday morning until my exams are finished “ said Hill“so that I can get used to the tough trainings which lie ahead for me every day. “

Our up and coming male sculler Jeff Francis has been snapped up by the WRPC,after his 6^th place in the Men’s Quad sculls at the 2012 Under 23 World Rowing Championships. Jeff Francis is a name to watch and looking to participate in the 2012-2013 Summer Squad with Julia Edward.

Waikato Regional Performance Centre recognized the talented Claudia Hyde again this rowing season. Hyde won Gold in the Under 21 Women’s Eight and a Bronze in the Under 21 Women’s Coxless Four Oar,

at the 2012 New Zealand Rowing Championships.