Statement on the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championships and the Coupe de la Jeunesse

British Rowing has made the decision to withdraw the GB Junior Rowing Team from both the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championships and the Coupe de la Jeunesse

Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, British Rowing has been in regular consultation with DCMS and UK Sport around the safe travel and return to international competition for all our national teams.

Guidance from both DCMS and UK Sport only provides dispensation for international travel for elite sports if the athletes or the team are preparing for Tokyo 2020 or have been identified by their NGB as under consideration for the Paris 2024 cycle. In confirming any of our national teams to travel, we have to ensure they meet the criteria for dispensation. At this point of time, despite certain lockdown restrictions lifting, this guidance is still current.

British Rowing, as the national governing body, has a duty of care to all rowers, coaches and support staff and has, therefore, made the decision to withdraw the GB Junior Rowing Team from both the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championships and the Coupe de la Jeunesse. These events are due to be held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Ottensheim, Austria, respectively in August.

We appreciate that the junior rowers and their coaches will be disappointed with this decision, however, despite not attending these two international competitions, British Rowing will continue to support these athletes and coaches with a variety of domestic opportunities to help further develop their knowledge and skills which will enable their progression from U19 to the next stage of the pathway.

We would also strongly encourage all our young and talented juniors to race at the domestic events on offer this summer including Henley Women’s Regatta (2-4 July),  British Rowing Junior Championships, NWSC (16-18 July) and Henley Royal Regatta (11-15 August) to gain as many high-level racing opportunities and experiences as possible.

Peter Sheppard, the Chief Coach of U23/U19 will be contacting coaches who have registered for the 2020-21 season to explain the strategy for the next few months.

Decisions relating to national teams travelling to international events later in 2021 will be discussed by the management team of British Rowing in consultation with the staff of the GB Rowing Team and high performance programme and shared later next week.

Brendan Purcell
Director of Performance
British Rowing