Durham University is helping local schoolgirls achieve their rowing ambitions.

The University is supporting young female rowers in North East England develop their technique, training methods and health and dietary approach.

Local schools and clubs can nominate rowers to participate in the programme, and on Sunday 8 April a total of 13 young women attended a day-long session at the University’s Maiden Castle sports complex.

The session was delivered by University staff and students, who volunteered their own time to help out.

Ellie Hizzett, the Freshers Rowing Coach at Durham University Boat Club, said: “It was a very successful event. We were planning to deliver one session every three months, but there has been such demand, we are looking to see whether we could increase that.”

Miss Hizzett was impressed by the talent and dedication of the rowers participating.

“There were some really great athletes. There is definitely potential for some to compete to become future Olympians,” she added.

Emily Reilly-O’Donnell, a pupil at St Leonard’s Catholic School, Durham City, said: “Having never trialled before or spent time with the GB coaches, it was a great opportunity for me to be among rowers of a similar ability and use the very personal advice that was given to me.

“Undoubtedly my technique improved from the coaching by Durham University Boat Club. The training day definitely made me think about trialling and how I could take my rowing to the next level. I look forward to another event.”

Durham University Boat Club was invited to deliver the programme by British Rowing, the national governing body for rowing.

The Boat Club has a High Performance programme which is recognised and supported by British Rowing and funded through the National Lottery.

In recent years, it has helped produce Olympians including Sophie Hosking and Lily van den Broecke, who won Gold at London 2012, and William Fletcher, Stewart Innes and Angus Groom, who represented Team GB at Rio 2016.

For further details, please visit: www.dubc.co.uk