The National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC) returned to Leeds for the first instalment of the hugely popular indoor rowing competition. Following the successes of 2023, London Youth Rowing now hosts NJIRC over two sites: one in Leeds and the other at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Nearly 50 clubs and schools brought 900 children to the John Charles Centre for Sport, with over four hours of racing packed into the schedule.

This year's events, like previous, are proudly supported by British Rowing, Concept2 and the Henley Royal Regatta Charitable Trust.

In the Year 13 Boy's 2000m event, Joseph Merriott of Tees Rowing Club stormed to victory, while Sam Candy from St Peter's School, York took gold in the Year 12 Boy's category.

For the girls, Rebekah Gaughan of Tyne United Rowing Club won the Year 12 Girls 2000m while Tees made it 2/2 with Daisy Thom winning the Year 13 2000m competition.

London Youth Rowing launched the Active Row Leeds programme in September 2021, building on an earlier programme run by RowUK. Active Row Leeds is the first time London Youth Rowing's school engagement programme has run outside London.

NJIRC will be back for the second instalment this Friday at the Copper Box Arena ,Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Doors open from 08:30 with the first race at 10:00.

Scores from NJIRC London will be compared with those from Leeds to determine the overall NJIRC winners in 2024.

Full results of NJIRC Leeds can be found here.

Photos: (Lánre Adeleye / www.lanre.online)
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