Young Ballarat rower to man the oars for Victoria

ALL the hard preparation is done. Dom Morrell is ready to row on the national stage.

The Wendouree-Ballarat oarsman leaves for Sydney today to represent Victoria in the Australian Youth Cup regatta.

Competition is classed as an under-21 meet in a bid to bridge the gap between the Australian under-19 and under-23 squads. Morrell is 17.

“It’s very exciting, especially because I’m just out of school rowing with BCC (Ballarat Clarendon College)...rowing’s a very big passion of mine and I wanted to keep it going,” Morrell said.

“There will be national selectors there but it’s just a good chance for me to get recognised and put my name out there, even if I don’t go that well because I’ve still got another couple of years in this age group.”

Morrell rowed for the College seconds in this year’s Ballarat Associated Schools’ Head of the Lake.

When the season stopped, Morrell said he just wanted to keep going.

He has been limited on the water but has been busy in the gym with circuit work and on the ergo for training.

Morrell will team-up with a Melbourne University Boat Club rower in the pairs at the Australian Youth Cup, then move into a coxless four and coxed eight.

The regatta will also feature international crews, including New Zealand, at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.

Morrell could hardly wait for the experience and to measure up against elite crews.

“It’ll be really good to see different crews,” Morrell said.

“Even just moving from Ballarat to Melbourne rowing as a whole is quite different so I can’t wait to see what other states are like.

“I do know Victoria is a strong rowing state.”

Morrell said College rowing director Ross Henderson had been great support in his rowing pursuits.

Wendouree-Ballarat rowing captain Tim Wright and president Eric Waller had also offered plenty of support and motivation at his new club.

Australian Youth Cup rowing starts Friday.

Follow @Melanie_Whelan

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