FOUR of Ballarat\u2019s rowers have each prepared two uniforms for this week\u2019s Australian Masters Rowing Championships on Lake Wendouree.<\/p>\n
Ballarat City\u2019s Andrew Leehane and Kathy Lloyd, and Wendouree-Ballarat\u2019s Lee Martin and Bec Dwyer will not only race for their local clubs at the major national regatta, they\u2019ll compete in the iconic Victorian navy-blue zooties with the big white V, having been selected for the state squad.<\/p>\n
Lloyd is rowing in the Victorian women\u2019s eight for the second year, alongside first-time qualifier Bec Dwyer, who recently returned to the sport after an 18-year break.<\/p>\n
Leehane will sit in the state men\u2019s eight, and Martin in Victoria\u2019s women\u2019s quad scull.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes us very proud to represent Victoria at a very high level, and represent our clubs, who we thank for their support. It will be very special,\u201d Leehane said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great for Ballarat people to represent the city, whether they be from Wendouree or Ballarat City. We work together as one in our Victorian uniform.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin said Lake Wendouree is the city\u2019s \u201cjewel\u201d and is pleased more athletes from across the country will get to experience the feeling of being out on the water in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always good to row on your home course. Who wouldn\u2019t want to row here? It\u2019s unique and it\u2019s got history,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the water it\u2019s pretty competitive, but there\u2019s a great sense of camaraderie and great friendships off the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lloyd agreed the friendly nature of both the local and Victorian masters rowing scenes is one of the best parts about being involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fantastic thing about masters rowing is it\u2019s a community,\u201d she said. \u201cRowing in a state crew is hard work, but it\u2019s all done with a great team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The selection process for the state crews began in January, and since qualifying, the rowers have been training with the squad on the Yarra River in Melbourne.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOUR of Ballarat\u2019s rowers have each prepared two uniforms for this week\u2019s Australian Masters Rowing Championships on Lake Wendouree. Ballarat City\u2019s Andrew Leehane and Kathy Lloyd, and Wendouree-Ballarat\u2019s Lee Martin and Bec Dwyer will not only race for their local clubs at the major national regatta, they\u2019ll compete in the iconic Victorian navy-blue zooties with […]<\/p>\n