Upper 6 student, Maddie selected to represent Great Britain while Coach Jamie Kirkwood joins the national coaching team for the 2026 Coupe de la Jeunesse
We are delighted that our incredibly talented, Upper 6 rower, Maddie and our fabulous rowing coach, Jamie were selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 Coupe de la Jeunesse, one of Europe’s premier junior rowing competitions.
Maddie has earned selection in the Great Britain Women’s Eight (JW8+), recognising an outstanding season of racing and her continued development as one of the country’s leading junior rowers. British Rowing announced the squad as part of its 46-athlete team that will compete in Lucerne, Switzerland, later this month.
Adding to the celebrations, LEH Boat Club Coach Jamie Kirkwood has also been selected as a Great Britain coach and will lead the Women’s Four (JW4-) at the regatta. His appointment is a testament to the exceptional coaching programme at LEH and his commitment to supporting athletes as they progress through the national rowing pathway.
The Coupe de la Jeunesse brings together the best Under 19 rowers from across Europe and provides an important stepping stone for athletes aspiring to compete at World Championship and Olympic level. This year’s regatta takes place on the famous Rotsee course in Lucerne, Switzerland, from 24–26 July.
Madeleine’s selection follows a season of impressive performances for LEH Boat Club, while Jamie’s appointment reflects the strength of the coaching team that continues to develop talented young rowers both at school and on the national stage.
To have both an athlete and a coach representing Great Britain at the same international event is a tremendous achievement for the club and underlines LEH’s reputation as one of the country’s leading school rowing programmes.
Team GB’s manager, Neil Double commented, ““The Coupe team has a lot of experience both in terms of coaches and athletes, and with the short turnaround and the addition of a German team to the competition this year should make for some very exciting racing.” You can read the full press release here.
Everyone at LEH would like to congratulate Madeleine and Jamie on their well-deserved selections and wishes them every success as they compete for Great Britain in Lucerne. We look forward to following their progress and cheering them on throughout the regatta.
LEH Rowing
Rowing at LEH is more than a sport, it’s a close-knit community built on trust, dedication, and teamwork.
LEH Boat Club (LEHBC) is one of the top girls’ rowing programmes in the country winning medals every year at the Scullery, Schools Head and the National Schools Regatta. We regularly qualify a boat for Henley Royal Regatta and have girls attend GB Trials every year with girls often representing Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse and Junior World Championships. Through access to top-class facilities and expert coaching, our rowers experience personal growth, resilience, and a winning mindset from Year 8 through to Sixth Form. Along their journey, they will understand what it’s like to be part of a team where every single girl is backing each other, and themselves.
Joining the rowing club means forging lasting friendships and embracing accountability, both on and off the water. Our supportive coaches guide every athlete, making each session a chance to improve skills and build confidence in a welcoming environment. We’re passionate about making rowing accessible to all pupils, offering fun, inclusive activities that spark enthusiasm regardless of experience.