Jack rows into Institute of Sport

David Knox • Published 19 Jan 2010 09:42 0 Comments

HERIOT rower Jack Leask has just paddled where no one has gone before - into the East of Scotland Institute of Sport.

The 16-year-old, along with Edinburgh's Callum McBrierty from Edinburgh, have become the first rowers ever to join the prestigious body.

Established in 2001 and supporting over 400 athletes, the sportscotland institute of sport area network works with partners to build greater success for Scottish sport.

And it has helped dozens of athletes, rugby, football and hockey players as well as boxers and golfers.

But this is the first time rowing has been taken under its wing, coming after a highly successful year for Scottish junior rowing.

Jack Leask, who competes for George Heriot's School and Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club, won two gold medals at the annual GB France under 16 match in Cardiff, in the single scull and the quadruple scull.

He told the Border Telegraph: "We've got the right people, with the right coaching at the right time in Scotland.

"For me the only aim is to compete in the Olympics; there's no other option, and that's the aim of the Start programme.

"I joined the Start programme in September 2008. I have been training with them ever since in Glasgow and the progress I made in my first year was massive.

"The East of Scotland Institute of Sport is geared to giving me support locally which otherwise I would have to pay a lot of money for or travel a great distance to get.

"I had an operation on my forearms in October and the Institute has given me physiotherapy every week, which has been fantastic support. I plan to start Strength & Conditioning training with them this month. The other athletes already do this through the week in Glasgow as part of the Start programme but being based here it's something I miss out on.

"The Institute is helping by providing this locally, otherwise Id be in a gym by myself."

Katherine Grainger MBE, Great Britain's most successful Olympic female rower and a support athlete with the Instutute told us: "This is fantastic news that the rising stars of Scottish rowing will get a chance to work with the sportscotland institute of sport area network.

"While the athlete needs to bring passion, commitment and talent to the enterprise, the institutes offer expertise, advice, experience and knowledge across many essential areas in sport."

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