Australian rowing selectors have made their ninth crew recommendation to the Rowing Australia (RA) board this morning as the 2012 National Selection Trials near their conclusion at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.

Selectors have recommended the men’s eight to the RA board, who will in turn name the 2012 Australian Rowing Team on Sunday evening at 9pm.

Bryn Coudraye (SA), Matt Ryan (NSW), Nicholas Purnell (NSW), Tom Swann (VIC), Josh Booth (VIC), Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (VIC), Francis Hegerty (NSW), Sam Loch (NSW) and coxswain Toby Lister (NSW) feature in the crew that has three changes from the 2011 world championships, where Australia finished fourth.

Purnell , Loch and McKenzie-McHarg all return to the men’s eight for the first time since 2010, when the trio assisted Australia to a bronze medal at the world championships in New Zealand.

Rowing Australia Head Men’s Coach Noel Donaldson said he was pleased with the crew assembled in the eight.

“We’ve been working really hard now for four years with a large core group of athletes and we are really excited with the athletes that we have recommended to the board for selection,” Donaldson said.

“All members of the crew are developing nicely and continue to grow in strength and this will only improve across the year.

“The strength of the crew is underlined by the quality of athletes that narrowly missed recommendation.”

Fergus Pragnell (NSW), James Marburg (VIC), Brodie Buckland (NSW), Tom Larkins (VIC) and Duncan Free (QLD) all are currently being considered for a place in the men’s pair, with Pragnell and Buckland set to row together in the next rotation on Saturday (March 31) morning.

In the only time trial on Friday racing the women’s quad scull of Kerry Hore (TAS), Pippa Savage (QLD), Pauline Frasca (VIC) and Amy Clay (NSW) recorded a time of 6:26.54.

The women’s eight squad will have their third rotation tomorrow morning with 2008 Beijing Olympian Lizzy Patrick (VIC) replacing Beth Smith (VIC) in the coxen’s role, while Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Renee Chatterton (SA) will replace Monique Heinke (NSW) and Emma McCarthy (QLD).

The selection trials will conclude on Sunday April 1 before the Rowing Australia board meets to select the 2012 Australian Rowing Team that evening.
 
The Australian Rowing Team will compete at World Cup 2 in Lucerne, Switzerland (May 25-27) and World Cup 3 in Munich, Germany (June 15-17) before athletes are nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee.
 
Media Contact: David Polglase 0401 453 041

Article by Rowing Australia, Publsihed 30/03/2012, www.rowingaustralia.com.au