Grobler makes change for British rowers in Amsterdam

The success of Great Britain’s rowing squad at the first Rowing World Cup in Linz/Ottensheim, Austria put them at the top of the points table and also caused head men’s coach Jurgen Grobler to make some changes.

Moving into the second round of the Rowing World Cup (Amsterdam from 22 to 24 June) Grobler has moved his top six sweep squad members into one boat. Winners of the men’s pair, Matthew Langridge and Colin Smith, join winners of the men’s four, Alex Partridge, Peter Reed, Andy Hodge and Steve Williams, in the men’s eight event.

The crew will make up the second men’s eight and include Marcus Bateman and James Orme with Phelan Hill in the coxswain seat.  

Grobler says the move is to keep the squad “fresh” and keep up the competitive dynamic across the men’s squad. The first Rowing World Cup gave the men’s four their unbeaten run of 27 races and not racing in the four at Amsterdam means that regular medallists, the Netherlands, will have a chance to find the gold position in front of their home crowd.

"I'm happy with the start that we have made to this season", said Grobler. "It has showed that the team is fit. Now we have shown, on the men's side, that we have more than one crew that can be successful. Success breeds success. Now we have to demonstrate that in Amsterdam at the next World Cup. We have to show that the success was not just for one day.”

The British team for Amsterdam will be announced on 14 June.