A WORCESTER school pupil has battled through intensive trials to secure an England or Great Britain crew place at championships in the summer.

Andrew Dowty, an 18-year-old at Royal Grammar School Worcester, is small by international rowing standards at 73kg with most of his fellow rowers weighing in at 85kg.

Outstanding technique has carried him through four separate trials camps to national recognition.

In the last of the assessments, a pairs regatta at Eton’s Dorney Lake, home of the Olympic regatta next summer, he clocked the third fastest time of the day.

“I’ve had to work incredibly hard on all aspects — my technique, fitness, power and stamina,” said Dowty. “But, in spite of my size, when I put it all together I can compete with the very best.

“Tim Foster (gold medal-winning rower in 2000) was also on the small side but he proved that a great power-to-weight ratio, plus excellent technique, can take you a long way in the sport.”

Dowty puts in many hours of training with his RGS school-mates for regattas and in a pair with Winchester College student Will Hall.

In November at a timed sculling event in Lincolnshire, he was only 55th out of 140 invited rowers and just scraped through.

But, since then he has steadily climbed the rankings, forcing himself into the picture via the spring assessment trials in Nottingham where he moved up to become seventh ranked for his bow side of the boat.

Dowty added: “The spring assessment and pairs regatta at the Olympic lake were key moments for me and I’m now just thrilled to have the chance to pull on the vest.

“Injury permitting, I’m in contention for either an England spot or a Great Britain place for the team which will compete in the World Rowing Junior Championships or the Coupe de la Jeunesse.”