News

Posted: 11 December 2025

The whirring of the ergometer flywheels, the thuds of barbells in the weights room, and the scratch of pens filled the halls of the sportscotland National Sport Training Centre in Largs last weekend as 52 junior athletes took part in not one, but two simultaneous camps.

The annual J16 Development Land Camp welcomed 35 athletes from nine clubs, while the Junior Training Camp brought together 17 athletes from the Junior Academy and those involved in the GB U19 Trials process. Both camps shared a packed schedule featuring indoor rowing, strength and conditioning, cross-training and education sessions.

Image: Scottish Rowing. Group photo of camp attendees under sign that says 'Sport has the power to change the world'.

We were fortunate to have six external practitioners join us to share their expertise. Saturday began with an inspiring talk from Ryan Demaine, GB U19 Discipline Lead for Women’s Sweep and Performance Director & Head of Rowing at Headington School. Ryan spoke about what it takes to succeed as a junior rower, with his message of maintaining discipline and consistency resonating strongly with the athletes.

Ryan also led a technical session for each of the camps, alongside the remainder of the ergo sessions run by the Scottish Rowing Performance Pathway team.

Image: Scottish Rowing. Ryan Demaine presenting to the J16 athletes. 

Next up was a familiar face: Matilda Mayne, Head of Sport Psychology at Edinburgh University and Lead Sport Psychologist for Rowing with the sportscotland institute of sport. Matilda led a lively Q&A with the J16 group on topics such as performance anxiety and balancing schoolwork with rowing. She also worked with the training group on managing busy schedules and the importance of rest days.

On Sunday, Alex McGuigan, Performance Physiologist at the sportscotland institute of sport, delivered two insightful sessions. The training group explored the science behind effective training, while the J16 group included some additional learning on how to stay healthy during the winter months.

Image: Scottish Rowing. Matilda Mayne discussing questions with the J16 group during a Q&A.

Practical strength and conditioning sessions were led by Brandon McGill (Independent Physical Preparation Coach) and Chris Robinson (sportscotland institute of sport, Physical Preparation Coach). Their focus was teaching proper lifting techniques to build strength and prevent injury.

Seven club coaches also attended sessions led by our practitioners, gaining valuable insights from a coaching perspective. These coaches were supported by Scottish Rowing’s new Head of Development & Coaching, Adam Martin, and Board Director for Coaching Dr Laura Graham, as they got stuck into both hands on and classroom-based learning to help develop their own coaching practices.

Image: Scottish Rowing. Chris Robinson and Brandon McGill coaching an S&C session to the training group.

Saturday evening featured Dale Flockhart, Senior Men’s Coach at Edinburgh University BC, who gave an honest look at life as a university athlete and what a high-performance programme entails, perfect timing for athletes considering their next steps.

Meanwhile, parents weren’t left out. Eira Parry, founder of High-Performance Parenting, ran a workshop attended by over 20 parents both online and in person, helping them understand how best to support their children through the demands of competitive rowing.

This camp was a resounding success thanks to the combined efforts of practitioners, staff, board members, parents, coaches and athletes. Special thanks go to the team at Inverclyde for their incredible support - especially the catering staff who kept everyone fuelled and ready to perform.

Image: Scottish Rowing. Female athletes supporting a fellow rower on the ergometer during test pieces.

This event also marked the final entry in the Scottish Rowing calendar for 2025, and what a way to finish the year! We’re already excited to see what opportunities, challenges, and successes the new year will bring for our athletes, coaches, and the wider rowing community.