PORT Macquarie Rowing Club duo Matthew Catania and Blake McMillan now know what it takes to progress to the next level.
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The teenagers formed part of a composite team with Mosman at the national titles in Sydney on March 20.
While they didn’t bring home any silverware, coach Alan McCartney said it was a learning curve.
“They did well compared to who they were rowing against considering it wasn’t just Australians, it was overseas rowers as well,” he said.
“They need to experience that to see what level they need to get to.”
McCartney admitted the 17-year-olds would be better equipped to challenge the best under-19 rowers in 12 months time.
“It’s hard enough racing against the best under-19 rowers in Australia let alone the best under-19 rowers from around the world,” he said.
“The boys get in a boat twice in a week, whereas everyone they raced against probably gets in a boat at least five times a week.
It’s hard enough racing against the best under-19 rowers in Australia let alone the best under-19 rowers from around the world.
- Alan McCartney
“It is believed the minimum amount of training anyone should do at that level is three days a week. That’s the minimum, but these boys have other commitments as well.”
It was another step up from previous competitions where they had managed to place in most events.
“They will probably get closer to that (higher) standard next year if that’s what they decide to do,” McCartney said.
The teenagers competed against Japan in the doubles and two Argentinean crews in the pairs.
They were all in the bottom of the under-19s in the country and did very well against top age boys that had already competed at international level.
Heatwave conditions in Sydney added to the challenge of competing at such a high level at the start of the week.
Conditions turned cold and the rain came down later in the week.
They will probably get closer to that (higher) standard next year if that’s what they decide to do.
- Alan McCartney
Both boys enjoyed the experience immensely, especially in the pairs division and are looking forward to testing themselves at state and national level next year.
Throughout the competition, they finished sixth in their doubles heat and seventh in the repechage.
They had a seventh place in the pair heat which was followed by a fifth place in the repechage and a third-place in the B-final.
They finished seventh in the quad division and fourth in the repechage.
