Rowing: GB call-up has McBrierty over the moon

Published on Wednesday 22 July 2009 09:52

THE first week of August will be a big one for Edinburgh teenager Callum McBrierty.

Like many young Scots, the George Watson's pupil is awaiting the results of his five Highers, but he also has a major sporting event to look forward to when he makes his debut for Britain's junior rowing team at the 25th Coupe de la Jeunesse in Vichy, central France.

McBrierty only learned of his selection last week following five days of trials in Nottingham, and he is back at the National Watersports Centre, putting the finishing touches to his preparations.

The soon-to-be 17-year-old will race in a truly British coxless four with one Welsh and two English team-mates as they take on boats from 11 other European countries.

Strathclyde Park's Rosie Young is Scotland's other representative at le Lac d'Allier.

"He's absolutely over the moon that he's got into the team," confirms his mother, Gillian.

"We're very, very proud of him and he's dead chuffed with himself. He rowed for Scotland in the Home Nations under-18 international in Cardiff, but this is absolutely his biggest event so far. He's a quiet boy and just wants to get on with it, but they'd love to come back with a medal."

That would be a fitting reward for a punishing regime which sees Callum train seven days a week on the Union Canal at Meggetland. Having first tried rugby at school, he soon gravitated towards the water and his mother admits: "It didn't come naturally to him, but once he got the bug, he certainly got the bug!"

His future should hopefully include a place studying maths at an English university, but with UK Sport lottery funding and the support of his parents, rowing will remain a significant part of his life.

"The courses are important at university, but so are the rowing clubs," says Gillian.

Next year's World Junior Championships could be his next target although, at barely 20, he will probably be "too young" for the 2012 London Olympics. Sadly, rowing is not included on the list of sports for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

For the past decade, Scottish rowing has been dominated by quadruple world champion Katherine Grainger. As the triple Olympic medallist moves into the twilight of her glittering career, it would be heartening to think that a successor is waiting in the wings, but Callum's mother warns: "It's a pretty rigorous sport and it does a lot to your body, so time will tell."