Jeremy Mcgrath will be competing for Australia in the LTA Mixed Coxed Four event at the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta held this week.
The crew of Brock Ingram, Jeremy McGrath, Davinia Lefroy, Kate Murdoch and coxswain Jo Burnand have been attending camps at the AIS, training on Lake Burley Griffin under the supervision of coaches Gordon Marcks and Tara Huntly before travelling to Milan ahead of the Regatta which is being held from 21-23 April in Gavirate, Italy. They are based at the Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre just a short walk from the lake and the regatta itself where they are currently finalising their race preparation. Their goal is to finish with a top two placing to qualify for the Paralympics in Rio.
“It would be awesome to qualifying the four at the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta, that’s what we’ve all been working towards, we’ve never had an Australian LTA Mixed Coxed Four go to the Paralympics, so I think that’s what everyone here has been pushing for.
‘The progress we’ve had in the last three years, from competing in the double, the four last year, which was the first to compete at a World Championships for Australia since, I think, 2009, it would be an awesome next step to take the sport forward for LTA para-rowing.”
The crew is split across the country, with Balmain Rowing Club being home to McGrath, while Kate Murdoch is based at Nepean Rowing Club, Jo Burnand at Mosman RC and Davina Lefroy joining Ingram at West Australian Rowing Club. The camp was seen as a really important aspect of the crew’s preparation ahead of travelling to Italy.
“When we’re at home in our respective home states, we focus on ourselves and our individual techniques, the time that we have together makes a really big difference, especially in crew rowing, you have to be in sync and balance with the rest of your crew that we really take it upon ourselves to make the most of the time we have together.
“It seems like we’re really getting a good reach in the boat this year, the boat speed has really picked up so it’s looking positive going forwards,” added McGrath.
Story: Rowing Australia
BRC would like to congratulate Jeremy and the crew and wish them all the very best!
Visit Rowing Australia for news of their progress.