Ollie Maclean - 2016 World Junior Championships

Hello Everyone,

My name is Ollie Maclean and I have been selected to represent New Zealand at the Junior World Rowing Championships being held in the Netherlands, from the 21-28 August 2016

I am currently in Year 13 at Kings College.

I have been chosen to stroke the Mens Junior Coxless Quad alongside three other rowers from around New Zealand. This has been a goal of mine for several years now and I have been working hard over the last season to achieve this goal.

This year is my fourth rowing season, however two of those seasons have been reduced due to significant injuries that prevented me from rowing until mid-way through the season. First was the re-attachment of the tendon in my middle finger and the second sports injury required reconstructive shoulder surgery. Coming back from these injuries taught me about hard work, dedication and that if you want something enough you give your all and fight for it.

Rowing has changed my life completely. It has taught me many valuable lessons in life, has given me endless opportunities, and opened up future pathways. It has already taken me to Australia and to many regatta’s in spectacular locations around New Zealand.

Our New Zealand Junior Team of 28 assembled on the 19th of June in Cambridge, Hamilton where we are living and training for the next 2 months. I am keeping up my college studies at St Peters Cambridge.

The Junior Team & Under 23 Team will depart Karapiro for Rotterdam on the 12th of August, train and acclimatise for 10 days, and start racing on the 24th August against the best competing crews from around the world.

I would really appreciate your support in representing New Zealand and being an ambassador for this amazing sport that is providing such an exceptional start in life for young New Zealanders.

The costs of training and performing at Rotterdam are well in excess of NZ$10,000 so any help you can provide would be much appreciated.

Any surplus funds will be returned to the Rolf Porter Fund - which will assist in funding the next Kings College student to attend a World Rowing Championship Event.