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Inside the Rowing NZ Pathway
Building the Future of Rowing: Inside the Rowing NZ Pathway
The Rowing NZ Pathway is the backbone of the sport’s continued success - a structured system designed to develop promising athletes toward selection into the Rowing NZ Elite Squad. For many, the journey begins after school rowing, while others enter the sport later in life and quickly show the talent and drive to pursue it at the highest level.
The pathway plays a vital role in sustaining international success year after year. It starts with the Identification level, followed by the Emerging level. Alongside the domestic pathway, an international pathway supports New Zealand athletes studying or training overseas, ensuring they remain connected to the Rowing NZ system.
Each stage acts as a stepping stone, building the skills, resilience, and professionalism required to compete for New Zealand on the world stage.
The next step for both domestic athletes and returning international pathway athletes is the Pre-High Performance level - a crucial bridge between domestic high-performance rowing and elite international competition. Most Pre-High Performance athletes train in the Performance Hub, hosted by Waikato Rowing Club, though a small number are based elsewhere. Led by highly respected coach Nick Barton, this group is where much of the next generation of New Zealand rowing talent is shaped. The programme gives athletes exposure to elite-level expectations and training loads, supported by nutrition, psychology, and strength and conditioning services to ensure athletes arrive in the Elite Squad fully prepared to succeed.
Selection to Pre-High Performance level typically comes through standout performances in the NZ Rowing U23 or World University teams, strong results at the Pathway Assessment Regatta, or erg scores that demonstrate clear potential. Some of these athletes are transitioning back from overseas Colleges. Regardless of the route, athletes must show exceptional physical and mental strength under pressure - the foundation of success in New Zealand’s high-performance system.
2025 Pre-High Performance Athletes
- Alice Fahey – Star Boating Club / University of Tennessee
- Eva Hofmans – Otago University Rowing Club / Yale University
- Lucy Burrell – West End Rowing Club / Stanford University
- Madeleine Parker – Waikato Rowing Club / University of Washington
- Arie Magasiva – Waikato Rowing Club / University of Auckland
- Callum Tutbury – Waikato Rowing Club
- Cody Johnson – Avon Rowing Club
- Ethan Blight – North Shore Rowing Club/Washington
- Henry Kirk – Wairau Rowing Club / Lincoln University
- Jack Cooper – Waikato Rowing Club
- Jack Pearson – Dunstan Arm Rowing Club / University of Otago
- Joshua Gordon – Waikato Rowing Club / Harvard University
Lucy Burrell (B), Rebecca Leigh, Madeleine Parker, Alice Fahey (S) after claiming silver at the 2024 U23 World Champs. Lucy, Madeleine and Alice are all in the Pre-High-Performance squad, while Becky Leigh is in her second season of the elite summer squad.
This year’s group brings together a diverse mix of athletes - some returning from American collegiate rowing programmes after graduating, and others who have been studying or working in New Zealand and have progressed through the club system. All four of the selected women are World Championship medallists at either the U19 or U23 level and have recently graduated from their respective American universities. The men’s squad includes two athletes, Joshua Gordon from Harvard and Ethan Blight from the University of Washington, who have both recently returned home after completing their studies. The remaining athletes have been based in New Zealand, either competing for their clubs or returning for a second year in the Pre High Performance team.
The Pre-High performance level has already proven its value in producing elite-level athletes. Last season, Sophie Egnot-Johnson, Veronica Wall, Isla Blake and Juliette Lequeux were all Pre-High Performance athletes and were coached by former coach Dick Tonks.
Their results speak for themselves, with all four selected into the Elite World Cup team for 2025. Veronica then went on to compete in the Elite Women’s Quad, placing fifth at the World Championships in Shanghai, while Isla and Juliette earned bronze medals in the Elite Women’s Four and the Mixed Eight event. These achievements highlight just how critical the Pre-High Performance is in preparing athletes for the demands of international competition and being able to thrive in the Rowing New Zealand Elite Programme.
Veronica Wall, pictured in stroke seat of the Women's Quad racing at the 2025 World Rowing Championships, was a Pre-High Performance Athlete last season.
Isla Blake (3 seat) and Juliette Lequeux (bow seat) were also Pre High-Performance athletes last season. They are pictured here racing at the 2025 World Rowing Championships on the Women's Four.
Past Pre-high performance rowers: Sophie Egnot-Johnson and Isla Blake
How did being part of the Performance Hub influence your development during last season’s domestic campaign, and why was it significant for you?
Sophie Egnot-Johnson: Being part of the Performance Hubs allowed me to be exposed to a high-performance training environment, as well as having the flexibility to be able to work and train. This was hugely beneficial for my development as an athlete and as a person.
Isla Blake: Being part of the Performance Hub was hugely valuable - it gave structure and focus to a time when I was pushing to bridge the gap to the next level. The small, high-performing group created an environment where everyone’s drive could be channelled productively, making the long summer grind purposeful and enjoyable.
The coaching and management brought real expertise, and the standard of hard work was simply expected. There was a strong sense of respect and support across the group, which helped me trust the process and feel part of something bigger than my own goals. It was a space to push boundaries, learn, and grow - an experience that strengthened my approach and set me up to keep progressing.
Current Pre-high performance rowers: Alice Fahey and Callum Tutbury
What are you most looking forward to about this summer’s Pre-High Performance season?
Alice Fahey: I think I’m looking forward to being back at such large regattas as in the American system there are usually only a handful of teams racing. I also think the atmosphere of New Zealand regattas is very unique and something I have missed over the past few years. On top of that I am looking forward to my parents being able to watch my races again.
Callum Tutbury: I'm really looking forward to the opportunities that might come at the end of the season, and having a fun, supportive squad, which makes the training environment even better.
How has the transition been coming back from the American collegiate rowing system into the Performance Hub environment?
Alice Fahey: The transition was made easy with Nick Barton coaching. Obviously there are many different changes but Nick has been very patient with us on how to manage niggles / injuries while also keeping us accountable for nutrition, uploading our training, and how we have to manage our own training as we step away from the collegiate space.
Performance Hub Coach Nick Barton is happy about the quality and level of maturity of the Pre High Performance squad he has this season.
Current Performance Hub coach: Nick Barton
What do you see as the key fundamentals in developing athletes within the Performance Hub?
Nick Barton:
- Small Boat Volume:
Many Pre-HP athletes have not yet had sustained exposure to high training volumes, particularly in pairs and singles. Building that foundation is critical. Training consistently in small boats teaches athletes how to generate speed efficiently, identify technical limitations, and perform under fatigue - all of which are fundamental to success at higher levels.
- Technical Proficiency:
Athletes must develop the ability to move boats of all classes efficiently and understand why certain technical elements matter. Building a sound technical model early allows them to adapt quickly to different boats, teammates, and environments later on.
- Consistency:
The ability to execute both physically and technically to a high standard every day is a defining trait of performance athletes. This consistency doesn’t happen by chance — it comes through structured habits, attention to detail, and a professional approach to training and recovery.
- Ownership and Accountability:
Athletes must take responsibility for their own progress — seeking feedback, asking questions, and being proactive about problem-solving. The Pre-HP stage is where athletes transition from being coached at to being coached with— developing self-awareness and independence.
- Training Intelligence:
Understanding the why behind training — intensity zones, recovery principles, and physiological development — helps athletes make informed decisions and self-manage effectively.
- Mental Discipline and Resilience:
The ability to stay composed, adaptable, and resilient under pressure is what bridges the gap between potential and performance. Developing these traits in training prepares athletes for the demands of national and international competition.
- Team Culture and Connection:
Even in an individualised sport like rowing, being part of a performance environment requires athletes to contribute positively to group standards, respect the process, and help lift those around them.
How have you found the first few months of the season, and what has stood out to you about this group so far?
Nick Barton: In a previous role coaching within the RPC system, we often worked with very young athletes straight out of school. As a result, a great deal of time, energy, and resources went into educating them - not only on how to train and recover effectively, but also on how to conduct themselves both on and off the water.
In my view, our clubs are now very well equipped to support even the most talented school leavers. The club environment provides an invaluable opportunity for young athletes to learn from their more experienced peers. Over time, as they develop and earn their place near the top of a club squad - often over several years - they reach a point where they are genuinely ready to take the next step.
With that in mind, I believe we’ve pitched the Performance Hub at exactly the right level. The group has been selected well - they’re mature, capable of managing themselves, and accountable for their performances. They know what needs to be done and are prepared to do the work. Most importantly, they’re hungry for success. They recognise that the step they’re aiming to take is one of the biggest in their rowing journey, and that anything less than full commitment won’t be enough. It takes time and experience for athletes to develop that kind of resolve, and this group is showing strong signs of it.
As the new season begins, the Pre-High Performance athletes are pushing boundaries and striving toward the next level - the Elite Squad. Their dedication and progress showcase the strength of the RNZ pathway and the bright future of New Zealand rowing. Congratulations to all those selected to Pre-High Performance level and good luck for the domestic racing season ahead!
Kate Haines
Kate Haines has been part of the New Zealand Rowing Team and is studying Accounting at Massey University. She is NZ Olympian #1567, who competed in the Paris Olympics.
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- Home
- /
- NZ Rowing Foundation
- /
- Inside the Rowing...
Inside the Rowing NZ Pathway
Building the Future of Rowing: Inside the Rowing NZ Pathway
The Rowing NZ Pathway is the backbone of the sport’s continued success - a structured system designed to develop promising athletes toward selection into the Rowing NZ Elite Squad. For many, the journey begins after school rowing, while others enter the sport later in life and quickly show the talent and drive to pursue it at the highest level.
The pathway plays a vital role in sustaining international success year after year. It starts with the Identification level, followed by the Emerging level. Alongside the domestic pathway, an international pathway supports New Zealand athletes studying or training overseas, ensuring they remain connected to the Rowing NZ system.
Each stage acts as a stepping stone, building the skills, resilience, and professionalism required to compete for New Zealand on the world stage.
The next step for both domestic athletes and returning international pathway athletes is the Pre-High Performance level - a crucial bridge between domestic high-performance rowing and elite international competition. Most Pre-High Performance athletes train in the Performance Hub, hosted by Waikato Rowing Club, though a small number are based elsewhere. Led by highly respected coach Nick Barton, this group is where much of the next generation of New Zealand rowing talent is shaped. The programme gives athletes exposure to elite-level expectations and training loads, supported by nutrition, psychology, and strength and conditioning services to ensure athletes arrive in the Elite Squad fully prepared to succeed.
Selection to Pre-High Performance level typically comes through standout performances in the NZ Rowing U23 or World University teams, strong results at the Pathway Assessment Regatta, or erg scores that demonstrate clear potential. Some of these athletes are transitioning back from overseas Colleges. Regardless of the route, athletes must show exceptional physical and mental strength under pressure - the foundation of success in New Zealand’s high-performance system.
2025 Pre-High Performance Athletes
- Alice Fahey – Star Boating Club / University of Tennessee
- Eva Hofmans – Otago University Rowing Club / Yale University
- Lucy Burrell – West End Rowing Club / Stanford University
- Madeleine Parker – Waikato Rowing Club / University of Washington
- Arie Magasiva – Waikato Rowing Club / University of Auckland
- Callum Tutbury – Waikato Rowing Club
- Cody Johnson – Avon Rowing Club
- Ethan Blight – North Shore Rowing Club/Washington
- Henry Kirk – Wairau Rowing Club / Lincoln University
- Jack Cooper – Waikato Rowing Club
- Jack Pearson – Dunstan Arm Rowing Club / University of Otago
- Joshua Gordon – Waikato Rowing Club / Harvard University
Lucy Burrell (B), Rebecca Leigh, Madeleine Parker, Alice Fahey (S) after claiming silver at the 2024 U23 World Champs. Lucy, Madeleine and Alice are all in the Pre-High-Performance squad, while Becky Leigh is in her second season of the elite summer squad.
This year’s group brings together a diverse mix of athletes - some returning from American collegiate rowing programmes after graduating, and others who have been studying or working in New Zealand and have progressed through the club system. All four of the selected women are World Championship medallists at either the U19 or U23 level and have recently graduated from their respective American universities. The men’s squad includes two athletes, Joshua Gordon from Harvard and Ethan Blight from the University of Washington, who have both recently returned home after completing their studies. The remaining athletes have been based in New Zealand, either competing for their clubs or returning for a second year in the Pre High Performance team.
The Pre-High performance level has already proven its value in producing elite-level athletes. Last season, Sophie Egnot-Johnson, Veronica Wall, Isla Blake and Juliette Lequeux were all Pre-High Performance athletes and were coached by former coach Dick Tonks.
Their results speak for themselves, with all four selected into the Elite World Cup team for 2025. Veronica then went on to compete in the Elite Women’s Quad, placing fifth at the World Championships in Shanghai, while Isla and Juliette earned bronze medals in the Elite Women’s Four and the Mixed Eight event. These achievements highlight just how critical the Pre-High Performance is in preparing athletes for the demands of international competition and being able to thrive in the Rowing New Zealand Elite Programme.
Veronica Wall, pictured in stroke seat of the Women's Quad racing at the 2025 World Rowing Championships, was a Pre-High Performance Athlete last season.
Isla Blake (3 seat) and Juliette Lequeux (bow seat) were also Pre High-Performance athletes last season. They are pictured here racing at the 2025 World Rowing Championships on the Women's Four.
Past Pre-high performance rowers: Sophie Egnot-Johnson and Isla Blake
How did being part of the Performance Hub influence your development during last season’s domestic campaign, and why was it significant for you?
Sophie Egnot-Johnson: Being part of the Performance Hubs allowed me to be exposed to a high-performance training environment, as well as having the flexibility to be able to work and train. This was hugely beneficial for my development as an athlete and as a person.
Isla Blake: Being part of the Performance Hub was hugely valuable - it gave structure and focus to a time when I was pushing to bridge the gap to the next level. The small, high-performing group created an environment where everyone’s drive could be channelled productively, making the long summer grind purposeful and enjoyable.
The coaching and management brought real expertise, and the standard of hard work was simply expected. There was a strong sense of respect and support across the group, which helped me trust the process and feel part of something bigger than my own goals. It was a space to push boundaries, learn, and grow - an experience that strengthened my approach and set me up to keep progressing.
Current Pre-high performance rowers: Alice Fahey and Callum Tutbury
What are you most looking forward to about this summer’s Pre-High Performance season?
Alice Fahey: I think I’m looking forward to being back at such large regattas as in the American system there are usually only a handful of teams racing. I also think the atmosphere of New Zealand regattas is very unique and something I have missed over the past few years. On top of that I am looking forward to my parents being able to watch my races again.
Callum Tutbury: I'm really looking forward to the opportunities that might come at the end of the season, and having a fun, supportive squad, which makes the training environment even better.
How has the transition been coming back from the American collegiate rowing system into the Performance Hub environment?
Alice Fahey: The transition was made easy with Nick Barton coaching. Obviously there are many different changes but Nick has been very patient with us on how to manage niggles / injuries while also keeping us accountable for nutrition, uploading our training, and how we have to manage our own training as we step away from the collegiate space.
Performance Hub Coach Nick Barton is happy about the quality and level of maturity of the Pre High Performance squad he has this season.
Current Performance Hub coach: Nick Barton
What do you see as the key fundamentals in developing athletes within the Performance Hub?
Nick Barton:
- Small Boat Volume:
Many Pre-HP athletes have not yet had sustained exposure to high training volumes, particularly in pairs and singles. Building that foundation is critical. Training consistently in small boats teaches athletes how to generate speed efficiently, identify technical limitations, and perform under fatigue - all of which are fundamental to success at higher levels.
- Technical Proficiency:
Athletes must develop the ability to move boats of all classes efficiently and understand why certain technical elements matter. Building a sound technical model early allows them to adapt quickly to different boats, teammates, and environments later on.
- Consistency:
The ability to execute both physically and technically to a high standard every day is a defining trait of performance athletes. This consistency doesn’t happen by chance — it comes through structured habits, attention to detail, and a professional approach to training and recovery.
- Ownership and Accountability:
Athletes must take responsibility for their own progress — seeking feedback, asking questions, and being proactive about problem-solving. The Pre-HP stage is where athletes transition from being coached at to being coached with— developing self-awareness and independence.
- Training Intelligence:
Understanding the why behind training — intensity zones, recovery principles, and physiological development — helps athletes make informed decisions and self-manage effectively.
- Mental Discipline and Resilience:
The ability to stay composed, adaptable, and resilient under pressure is what bridges the gap between potential and performance. Developing these traits in training prepares athletes for the demands of national and international competition.
- Team Culture and Connection:
Even in an individualised sport like rowing, being part of a performance environment requires athletes to contribute positively to group standards, respect the process, and help lift those around them.
How have you found the first few months of the season, and what has stood out to you about this group so far?
Nick Barton: In a previous role coaching within the RPC system, we often worked with very young athletes straight out of school. As a result, a great deal of time, energy, and resources went into educating them - not only on how to train and recover effectively, but also on how to conduct themselves both on and off the water.
In my view, our clubs are now very well equipped to support even the most talented school leavers. The club environment provides an invaluable opportunity for young athletes to learn from their more experienced peers. Over time, as they develop and earn their place near the top of a club squad - often over several years - they reach a point where they are genuinely ready to take the next step.
With that in mind, I believe we’ve pitched the Performance Hub at exactly the right level. The group has been selected well - they’re mature, capable of managing themselves, and accountable for their performances. They know what needs to be done and are prepared to do the work. Most importantly, they’re hungry for success. They recognise that the step they’re aiming to take is one of the biggest in their rowing journey, and that anything less than full commitment won’t be enough. It takes time and experience for athletes to develop that kind of resolve, and this group is showing strong signs of it.
As the new season begins, the Pre-High Performance athletes are pushing boundaries and striving toward the next level - the Elite Squad. Their dedication and progress showcase the strength of the RNZ pathway and the bright future of New Zealand rowing. Congratulations to all those selected to Pre-High Performance level and good luck for the domestic racing season ahead!
Kate Haines
Kate Haines has been part of the New Zealand Rowing Team and is studying Accounting at Massey University. She is NZ Olympian #1567, who competed in the Paris Olympics.
