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Task & Finish Group – Eligibility for Junior Rowers

This group will examine how to balance fair competition, athlete choice and the sustainability of school and club programmes, while gathering views from across the rowing community.

This page will be updated as the panel publishes new information.

Terms of Reference

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junior rowers marshal along bank

The Panel will be chaired by Nathaniel Reilly-O’Donnell, Director of Development at British Rowing. He will be joined by a group of respected figures from across the rowing community, bringing experience from schools, clubs, competitions and the talent pathway:

  • John Layng
  • Miriam Luke
  • Heidi Hackett
  • Thomas Garnier
  • Liz Pulford
  • Helen Brown
  • Andrew Crawford

The Panel members have been invited for their independence, balance of perspectives, and demonstrable experience across different rowing environments. Together, they will lead an open and transparent process to explore the questions set out in the Terms of Reference.

Share your views

Every voice matters. By completing our structured survey, you can help shape the Panel’s understanding of the issues. Submissions close at 23:59 on Wednesday 15 October.

Formal Submission to Review Panel

Task & Finish Group – Eligibility for Junior Rowers Briefing Meeting

Update – December 2025

The Junior Rower and Crew Eligibility Task and Finish Group is now drawing its work towards a close.

Since the call for evidence, the panel has carefully reviewed more than 260 written submissions, held several focus group discussions, and completed an equality impact assessment to test emerging themes and proposals. This has been a substantial and thoughtful body of work, grounded in the lived experiences and perspectives of clubs, schools, parents, coaches, athletes and volunteers from across the rowing community.

The panel is now preparing its draft recommendations and will begin discussions with key stakeholders in the New Year to sense-check and refine these proposals. It is anticipated that the panel will share its proposals with the wider rowing community in mid-January.

Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed. The depth and quality of engagement has been instrumental in shaping this work and ensuring that the panel’s recommendations are evidence-led, balanced and carefully considered.