GB Junior Selection 2007

Tryweryn, Grandtully, Holme Pierrepont – how can you describe in one short article the events of the last few weeks, the stress, the drama, the dazzling performances, the runs from hell, the joy, the tears, the judging decisions and more, much more, all leading to the final outcome of selection to represent Great Britain or not?

Stafford and Stone’s performance focussed junior paddlers on the World Class programme will all have held expectations of success. Coaches’ expectations may have varied, years of experience giving them perhaps a better view of the big picture – ultimately there are usually no big surprises although as always some leading contenders came away disappointed.

A complex junior selection policy, a very weak J17 age group and a late decision that J18 European Championship paddlers would not be selected for the Pre-Worlds Team opened the doors for J16 and J15 paddlers to make their mark.

Tom Brady and Claire Kimberley came through to secure Junior European Championship Team places but displaced club mates James Bailey and Sarah Chynoweth in the process. Greg Pitt was a class apart in winning junior C1. Amazingly the selectors did not pick 2nd placed George Tatchell, who as a J15 was expected to meet J18 percentage targets – an incredibly short sighted view for the future. I thought the sport was trying to encourage C-boat participation?

A fantastic performance at HPP Race 2 nearly gave Natalie Wilson a GB junior team place but the complex selection policy and points allocations eventually led to Claire taking the place. Natalie’s performance did not go unrewarded as selection to the Pre-Worlds Team was guaranteed. Emily Woodcock, winner of under-16 selection with fine performances at Tryweryn and HPP Race 1, joins Natalie and Claire in this team. After an unsure start to selection at Tryweryn, Adam Burgess recovered well to deliver at Grandtully and HPP Race 1 to also gain a place in the Pre-Worlds Team.

Congratulations to all selected. Good luck at the races. Keeping training hard if you were unsuccessful this time – learn from the experience and come back stronger.

Great Britain Junior European Championship Team

K1M
Joe Morley
Tom Brady
Anton Lippek

K1W
Hannah Burgess
Alice Spencer
Claire Kimberley

C1
Greg Pitt

Great Britain Junior Pre-World Championship Team

K1M
Tom Brady
James Bailey
Toby Jones
Andrew Rendall
Joseph Coombs
Zach Franklin

K1W
Claire Kimberley
Natalie Wilson
Emily Woodcock
Emma Taylor
Bethan Latham*
Laura Sargent

* Ineligible because only J14 (may be reviewed).

C1
George Tatchell
Daniel Rawding
Jeremy Hammond
Tom Quinn
Adam Burgess
Rhys Davies

Words: Andy Neave