ASPECT Trust are excited to announce the second recipient of our 2024 Leading Athlete Scholarships – ELSIE TALBOT (Rowing) – pictured here winning her red coat at this year’s National Rowing Champs.

From an illustrious 4 season school rowing career, which saw her achieve many standout performances, Elsie has earlier this year won two full national titles (Women’s Premier Coxed eight and Women’s Senior Double Sculls) – medalling in three other events.

With national representation firmly in her sights, Elsie recently trialled for the NZ U21 team and thrillingly earned selection. The next few months will be full on for Elsie as she first heads off to Australia with the NZ team in May & June and then travels to America in August to begin university.

In her words Elsie says “For as long as I can remember my goal in life has been to represent my country for sport. I have a plan and I know how to execute it. When I first joined rowing I knew I wanted to row for New Zealand so to do that I created a plan to row in the NZ U19 team. Over my 4 seasons at Craighead I worked through each step achieving all the small milestones that eventually lead me to trialling for the NZ U19 team. Unfortunately, I fell short at the last moment of achieving my dream. However, I do not see it as a failure as it proved to me that I was able to make a plan, achieve the milestones that I needed to, and get as close as I could to that dream. I know that if I have done it before I can do it again”.

“Alongside the U21 campaign in Australia my club/development hub that I train at is looking to possibly attend the Henley Royal Regatta. This is one of the most prestigious regattas in the world. Attending would mean that I get to race against some of the top competition from around the world and would really help me to take the next step in rowing”.

“I am extremely passionate about rowing. I love every aspect of the sport and it is something I want to do for a long time into the future”.

Congrats and best of luck in the months ahead Elsie – we are with you all the way !!