Please Help Jack Get to Rotterdam

Hi. My name is Jack Lopas. I am a 17 year old, Year 13 student and Monitor at Christchurch Boys' High School and have recently had the honour of being selected to represent NZ again at this year's World Junior Rowing Champs, Rotterdam, in the Double Scull.

I have been rowing for 4 years now for CBHS and have been excited to see the growth in strength, depth and performance in our school rowing squad over that time; culminating in our best season on record this year at Maadi Cup. For my own part, I was excited to contribute to a Gold medal in the U19 2X at Nationals, 3 Golds in U18 sculling events at Maadi Cup and a Bronze in the U18 8+, Maadi Cup. This led to the opportunity to trial for the NZ Junior Squad where, apart from achieving selection in the squad, I achieved another personal goal of breaking the NZ U19 Erg record.

Apart from the opportunity to represent my country at the World Champs, the training for this event involves us in 'living in' at Lake Karapiro for 8 weeks and training alongside the other NZ rowers preparing for the Olympics and World Champs; Juniors through to Elites rubbing shoulders in the same facility. This is an incredibly inspiring environment to be absorbed in and, having had the opportunity last year as a NZ Junior, I appreciate the value this has for me as an individual as well the strength it gives us as a rowing nation.

I look forward to representing myself, my family, my school and my country with pride at Rotterdam.

Making the most of this opportunity comes at significant cost; $10,000. I am grateful and humbled by the ongoing support of my family, friends, school, rowing community and home community of Banks Peninsula in helping me fulfil my dream of representing my country. Any support you are able to give, large or small, would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Jack.