Bundaberg-raised rower Elizabeth Newell has been chosen to represent Australia at the Association of National Olympic Committees World Beach Games in Bali.
She will join more than 1400 athletes from 100 nations, competing across 13 disciplines in the event next month.
Elizabeth, 23, said she was thrilled to represent Australia at Coastal Rowing’s first appearance at the ANOC World Beach Games.
“Representing Australia is a great honour, and to be a member of the first ever Beach Sprint Rowing team to compete at the World Beach Games is very exciting,” she said.
“Competing in an event like this allows me to further develop my skills and knowledge of the sport which I can take into the future.”
The Bundaberg-raised rower, now based in Brisbane, only took up Coastal Rowing in 2022 after her coach suggested she transfer her skills from still to open water.
It led to her winning four gold medals at her first Australian Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships.
“Beach Sprints are fast and action-packed making racing very exciting,” Elizabeth said.
“It is a great sport for both spectators and competitors, and it would be great to see it included in both Commonwealth and Olympic Games!”
Elizabeth was one of the first four athletes to be announced to represent Australia at the Association of National Olympic Committees World Beach Games this year.
She is joined by Ellen Pozzi, Marcus Della Marta and Morgan Hodgson in Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints, where competitors race by foot on sand to their boats, race through open water around two buoys before heading back to the beach finish line.
It’s not the first time Elizabeth has had experience on the international stage, winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships in Namibia.
AOC CEO Matt Carroll said the Beach Games event was a great opportunity for Australian athletes.
“Congratulations to our first four athletes selected for the ANOC World Beach Games,” Matt said.
“This event gives Australian athletes another stage to compete and develop their skills in a multi-sport international environment.
“With Coastal Rowing growing in popularity around the world and being considered for inclusion on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme, this is a fantastic opportunity for Australian rowers to test themselves against the world.”
“We know Elizabeth, Ellen, Marcus and Morgan will wear the green and gold with pride.
“Our community will have the chance to watch them compete and can even have a go at Coastal Rowing themselves at the upcoming Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint Championships in Mooloolaba at the end of July.
“It will be a fantastic opportunity to experience Coastal Rowing and see why this is a discipline and format that is on the rise.”
Coastal Rowing is also on the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games sports programme.
The ANOC World Beach Games will be held from 5-12 August, with Coastal Rowing held from 10 to 11 August.
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