Burton Leander RC celebrates its first Olympian with boat naming
When Burton Leander RC took delivery of a new quad recently, there was only one person it could be named after – Paris 2024 Olympian Matt Haywood
Matt learned to row at the club back in 2010 when he was just 12. It wasn’t long before he was showing his ability:
Matt and his crew won J14 Coxed Quads at Worcester Regatta in 2012 – probably not even dreaming that his London 2012 wristbands would be replaced in 2024 by full Olympic kit!
By 2014 he was winning bronze in the J16 Quadruple Sculls at the British Rowing Junior Championships, and in 2016 he was selected to represent GB in the Double Sculls at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, where he won two silver medals. He then stepped up to the GB Under 23 Rowing Team, winning gold at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in both 2018 and 2019 in the Quadruple Sculls.
Since then, Matt has gone from strength to strength, winning silver at the senior World Rowing Championships in 2022 and reaching the final of the Men’s Quadruple Sculls at the Olympic Games in Paris this year, finishing fourth.
Throughout his journey, Matt has never forgotten where it all started and can often be seen down at Burton Leander RC encouraging the next generation of would-be Olympians. The club’s juniors really look up to him – in more ways than one!
In recognition of Matt’s successes, he was invited to the Club on Saturday, 28 September where he named the new boat and was also presented with Life Membership of the club.
GB (with Matt at 3) qualified directly for Final A of the Men’s Quadruple Sculls at Paris 2024. Photo: Steve McArthur / Row360
