Young Blades from Tauranga hoping to Live The Dream at Henley Royal Regatta

Tauranga Boys College will enter a boats at Henley Royal Regatta this July – the first time ever the school has done so.

I’ve been coaching there as a volunteer for four years now and have seen these boys go from absolute beginners to national medal winners. It’s been a very special part of my life.

Of all the rowing events in the world, most rowers who have competed at Henley rave about it as one of the greatest experiences of all. The selected four – Tyler Nelson, Will Kale, Corin Brown and James Muir will compete in the quad scull event for under-18 athletes – the Fawley Challenge Cup – where they will face some of the best young scullers in the UK and Europe. Joshua Ede will travel as a spare for the quad and will enter the qualifying heat for the Diamond Sculls event which precedes the regatta.

Rowing has enhanced the lives of Tyler, Corin, Will, James and Josh and taught them valuable life particularly the importance of hard work and how to win with grace and lose with dignity.

Everything – and I do mean everything – raised here will be divided equally amongst the boys and will go towards the cheapest travel and the cheapest accommodation but the BEST equipment we can possibly hire.

We’ll not leave any stone unturned as the lads aim to put in an oarsome performance they will remember for the rest of their lives.

I'd love to write more about them, they are all awesome - but space prevents me! All I can really say is please help me make it happen for them.