Many young rowers face uncertainty as the post-school options available to them grow. I chose to leave the UK to row for an American university upon finishing school. A fantastic, lifechanging opportunity that, once the home-sickness subsided, I have not regretted. It’s not for everyone though and it’s a contentious subject among national team and domestic university coaches alike; both are keen to keep talent on home water. The decision to go to America cost me the opportunity to trial for the GB U23 team – as was the policy at the time. Thankfully this stance has since changed. Coming in to line with many other national federations, GB Rowing now recognises the need to work with, rather than against, the unstoppable tide. The numbers have reached a critical mass and selectors can no longer turn their backs on those drawn to an American college program.
This can only be a good thing. The benefits of sending a rower away to a well-funded, wellequipped and professionally coached US collegiate program are obvious. The opportunity to live, study and compete in an alien culture helped both my personal and athletic development. Alex Henshilwood gives his opinion on the subject in this issue and James Buckman examines the economics of US collegiate sport – the financial juggernaut behind the rowing scholarships on offer.