Scottish Rowing Junior Academy 25-26       Junior Academy

Introduction

The Scottish Rowing Junior Academy (JA) exists to support and develop talented junior (J16 - J18) rowers and coxes to reach their potential. Equipping them with the tools to achieve success in rowing both nationally and internationally. It aims to provide education, opportunity and a community for athletes, coaches, and parents.

Changes for 25-26

As we prepare for our sixth cohort the Junior Academy programme we are continuing to tailor the programme to the needs of our pathway, providing more targeted development and increasing opportunities for young Scottish athletes to train and race in high quality crew boats throughout the season, while remaining flexible to the needs of each programme.

This year we have:

  • Adjusted the dates for some of our camps to reduce the conflict with academic commitments.
  • Increased the number of informal training days (outside of scheduled camps) for athletes to come together and work with our coaching team in high quality crew boats.
  • Using the above training days to help athletes better prepare for GB U19 Trials events, and present opportunities for collaboration and unique crew boat opportunities between clubs.

Key Objectives of the JA:

Key Aims for 25-26:

  • Building towards being competent and proficient technically, physically and mentally in areas identified as being necessary for national and international rowing. 
  • Learning and developing the performance behaviours associated with sporting success 
  • Provide opportunities for junior coaches to develop their skills, network with other coaches, and further support their athletes to achieve their goals 
  • Enable and upskill parents/guardians to go on the journey, facilitate success and provide ongoing support to their children 

  • To support athletes in developing physicality and skills to perform for the both the Scotland Junior Rowing Team and/or GB U19 Rowing Team.
  • To support talented Scottish athletes through the GB U19 Rowing Team Trials Process and prepare them for international selection and competition.
  • To provide opportunities for Scottish Junior rowers to train and race in high quality crew boat projects and events throughout the season.

 

JA26 Infographic

 

Eligibility criteria 

Athletes must be eligible to represent Scotland at the Home International Regatta and must be J16 or above (and not above J18) in the 2025/26 Season, with ambitions to row for Scotland and/or Great Britain. 
While the Junior Academy is intended for athletes rowing at club in Scotland, we will consider applications from athletes outside of Scotland who meet the above criteria.

Application process 

The application process for the 2025-26 Junior Academy opens on the Friday 22nd August 2025, you can apply below

Apply Here

The application form will request details of performances across the 2024-25 season. As part of the process, club coaches will be contacted to provide a reference for each athlete/cox.

Application will close at 23:59 on the Friday 5th September.

Confirmation of both named athletes and invitations to the first Junior Academy Camp at Strathclyde Park (27-28th September) will be sent out to all athletes by Friday 12th September.

Recruitment Pack

Junior Pathway Calendar

For more information, please contact the Sports Programme Co-Ordinator, Cara O’Donnell, at cara.odonnell@scottish-rowing.org.uk.

Lara Quote