The Armidale School student Isabella Henderson will represent Australia next month after being selected in a Rowing Australia team for the inaugural US Rowing International Rowing Challenge in Michigan.
The 18-year-old from Scone has been named in the Australia Under-19 B team following a strong domestic season, including four medals, two of them gold, at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania in March.
The team, made up of four male and four female rowers, will arrive in the United States on 1 July before attending a development camp at Michigan State University ahead of the regatta.
Henderson is scheduled to compete in the Women’s Under-19 Double Scull and Quad Scull events, as well as in an Australian mixed coxed eight.
The selection marks another milestone in a rowing journey that began when she took up the sport at TAS in Year 8. Since then, she has trained extensively at Malpas Dam near Guyra while balancing her studies.
“This does not feel real at all,” said Isabella, as she opened a package containing her national training uniform at TAS on Friday.
“I’ve always hoped that one day I would wear the green and gold for my country, and it really is the greatest honour I’ve ever received. For the past three years I’ve been competing against some great rowers from across Australia and now to be rowing with them in a national team, is a really exciting opportunity.”
Henderson said rowing had become her sporting focus after earlier ambitions in swimming and netball.
“There’s something just so special being in a boat on the water and although training is hard and often cold and dark, there’s just such magic about being at Malpas Dam, it’s such a beautiful location it makes training so much easier,” she said.
The Michigan tour will also provide exposure to the United States collegiate rowing system.
“Staying at Michigan State University will also give us an insight into their college system, and the opportunities that may exist after school. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me, but ideally, I’d like to end up wearing the green and gold at a home Olympics in 2032.”
The US Rowing International Rowing Challenge brings together developing athletes from several countries and is designed to provide international competition experience for emerging rowers.
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