SPOTLIGHT ON BBC OLD BOYS RISING STARS Scott Laidler (2007) continues to be one of BBC’s highest achieving old collegians in the elite rowing scene. Scott has rowed in the Australian Mens Eight for the last three seasons and is currently fighting for a place in the boat for the Rio 2016 Olympics. We wish him all the best and look forward to following Scott as he continues his rowing journey.
PERSISTENCE AND PERSEVERANCE
ON THE OTHER SIDE
The last 12 months may have been polarised by highs and lows for
He may have only moved 20 meters up the road, but
Old Boy Tom Franey (2014), but in the true spirit of rowing, persistence
rowing on the ‘other side of school’ has taken BBC
and perseverance continue to pave the way.
Old Boy Tom Davidson (2014) across the country and
“In 2015 I joined the Toowong Rowing Club’s Junior rowing program,
the world.
where I was fortunate enough to compete at the Queensland Club
“After finishing at BBC in 2014, I started rowing at
State Championships, New South Wales State Championships,
Toowong Rowing Club. Rowing out of school has
Nationals and the Australian Team Selection Regatta,” said Tom.
been such a different experience and we had a great
“I had a great season with all the boys and we managed to secure some reasonable results from that campaign,” he said. “We also travelled down to Penrith in April that year to trial for the Under 19 Australian Rowing team in the Junior Mens Four after many months of intense training, we were fortunate to gain selection into the Australian Rowing Team as the Junior Mens Four. “This saw us travel over to Rio to compete at the Junior Rowing World Championships, where I learnt a lot of valuable lessons that I hope to take forward as I prepare for the seasons ahead. “Unfortunately after returning from the world championships I was diagnosed with Glandular Fever which put me on the sideline and as a result I have missed the majority of training and consequently competition for the 2016 season. “But I’ve used this time to critique technical skills, improve my base fitness and as an opportunity to do some cross training on the bike.”
first season, with success in both the Queensland and New South Wales State Titles as well as the Australian National Championships in a range of boat classes,” explains Tom. “To top of a great season we were selected for the Junior Australian Rowing Team in the Junior Mens Four and competed in the Junior World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. It was an amazing experience and we quickly discovered what a big step it is to race internationally,” he said. “Since then I have been rowing in the Queensland youth eight. We recently competed in the New South Wales State Championships and had a great race and we’re hoping to build on that and take out the elusive win at nationals this year.” In addition to his rowing commitments Tom is also studying Business at the Queensland University of
And with that in mind, Tom’s focus now turns to the 2017 season.
Technology.
“My aim for next year’s season is to gain selection in the Australian
“It’s going well and it presents a very different set of
Under 23 lightweight sweep squad, who will compete at the world
challenges to those at school, but I am loving the
championships. I also hope to continue to chip away at my university
freedom and try and take as many road trips when I
degree in Exercise and Sports Science.”
can fit them in around training.”
32