ROWING: Seventeen-year-old Amanda Bateman has recently returned from the World Rowing Junior Championships in Lithuania and set her sights on representing Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China.

Bateman was a member of the Junior Women’s Quad Scull that finished seventh at the World Juniors and is one of only two athletes who competed at the event who are age eligible for the Youth Olympics.

“The 2014 Youth Olympic Games would be an exceptional event to have the privilege to participate in,” Bateman said.

The Victorian believes the event would facilitate a wonderful learning opportunity and present an environment that would challenge her skills.

“I will never stop learning new things about myself mentally and physically,” she said.

“The YOG would not only be a fantastic way to race at a high standard but also a great learning experience, improving my abilities within rowing both on and off the water. ”

The up and coming rower has emerged from the Victorian school of Firbank Grammar School under the guidance of Head Coach Alastair Isherwood.

“I love rowing with my school friends and representing Firbank Grammar School, as I am able to test my abilities within a rowing program that has a fantastic culture,” she said.

The teenager enjoys the camaraderie and simplicity of the sport.

“Ultimately it is the simple things like how the boat runs when you are rowing well, the technical challenge of perfecting the stroke, and the physical challenges of breaking down barriers as you strive to be the best you can be.”

The level-headed teenager has set goals of being the best she can be.

“My aspirations in the sport of rowing are to be able to compete to the best of my ability and race at the highest level possible.”

When she is not rowing, Bateman is busy with school work and where possible tries to fit in some surfing.

“Outside of sport in I enjoy going down to the coast and spending time with my family, going surfing with my sisters and spending days on the beach,” she said.

Australia has qualified places in the Women’s Pair and Men’s Single Scull to compete at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

The Women's Pair quota place was earned at the 2013 World Junior Rowing Championships while the Men's Single Scull place was obtained through a reallocation of quota places.

Frances Cordaro
olympics.com.au