Hagan and Vermeersch Added to Extended Shadow Squad

Rowing Australia (RA) has added six new members to its 2012 Shadow Team following strong performances at the 2012 Australian Rowing Championships in Perth last week.

Prior to the 2012 Australian Rowing Championships, the RA Board extended its final date for consideration of athletes in the women’s sweep squad. WAIS-AIS scholarship holders Alexandra Hagan and Hannah Vermeersch were both included in the extended squad, following their win in the women’s U23 pair.

Aside from Hagan and Vermeersch, Monique Heinke (NSW), Tess Gerrand (NSW), Renee Chatterton (SA) and Emma McCarthy (QLD) all met the required performance criteria in the women’s pair A Final at the 2012 Australian Rowing Championships on Saturday March 10 and have been included in the shadow squad.

They, along with the 55 other members of the squad, will attend the 2012 Rowing Australia National Selection Trials at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from March 23-April 1.

The 2012 Australian Rowing Team will be named at the conclusion of the trials.

Rowing Australia CEO Andrew Dee welcomed the performances of the six athletes who were added to the shadow squad.

“The six athletes that have been invited to trial met the performance standard set by the selectors in the women’s pair final at the Australian Rowing Championships,” Dee said.

“We have an excellent base of athletes across all boat categories ready to contest the national trials and I wish them all the best as they endeavour to be selected on the 2012 Australian Rowing Team.”

-Rowing Australia