Applications now open for Diploma in Sporting Excellence starting September 2023

May 11, 2023

If you have high rowing aspirations, are aged 16-18 (or 19-24 with a Care Plan) and attend a state-funded school or college, this qualification is for you

DiSE graduate Lauren Henry won the women's single sculls at the 2023 GB April Trials

There’s more to being a top rower than ‘just’ developing good technique and building the strength and physiology you need to win races. You’ll get more from the hours of training that you’ve put in on the water and in the gym if you have a solid supporting knowledge of psychology, tactics, nutrition, and even communication skills to work effectively with your crew mates and coach.

That’s why the British Rowing Talent Development Pathway team created the Diploma in Sporting Excellence – known as DiSE for short.

“The skills and knowledge that you’ll develop on the 18-month course will help you be efficient in your training and in other areas of your life.”

DiSE Manager Loretta Williams explains, “For young rowers with full schedules at the boat club and at school or college, adding an extra course on top of their existing A-level, BTEC or other studies may seem like the last thing they need. But in fact, the reverse is true. The skills and knowledge that you’ll develop on the 18-month course will help you be efficient in your training and in other areas of your life (such as what you eat to refuel after training). DiSE will prepare you for the elite athlete environment you so much want to join.”

Does DiSE really help young rowers?

DiSE has the twin goals of helping you to become a better rower while also providing you with 64 UCAS points. Rowing really could help you get into university!

In 2022, eight members of the GB Under 23 Rowing Team were DiSE graduates, and a further nine DiSE graduates or current students were selected to row for GB’s U19, Coupe de la Jeunesse, and the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals and European Rowing Beach Sprint Championships teams. Several more also represented their home countries at the Home International Rowing competitions.

“I have learnt a tremendous amount and have made some great friends along the way.”

In addition, Ed Fuller, from the reigning World Champion PR4 Mixed Coxed Four – unbeaten all season in 2022 – completed his DISE in 2021. And Lauren Henry, who won the women’s singles at senior GB Rowing Team April Trials, is another DiSE graduate.

Ella from Peterborough City RC, explains why she’s so glad she completed the course: “I have learnt a tremendous amount and have made some great friends along the way. The course has helped me so much with my rowing and my university applications and has really taken the pressure off my shoulders with some of the offers that I have received because of DiSE.”