WA Athletes make the U23 Team

Western Australia is celebrating strong representation in the 2026 Australian Under 23 Team, with Jack Hansen-Knarhoi and Lachlan Brown earning selection following a highly competitive process led by Rowing Australia.

As part of a new initiative, selectors identified top-performing Australian athletes based in the United States collegiate system, integrating them with domestic athletes to strengthen the national talent pipeline ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Selection followed a 10-day training camp and trials held on Lake Carnegie in Princeton from 10–12 June, where athletes raced for seats in both coxed and coxless combinations under competitive conditions. 

Jack and Lachlan’s inclusion highlights the depth of Western Australian rowing and their ability to perform against a strong international cohort. They now join the broader Under 23 squad preparing for the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Duisburg, Germany from 23–26 July. 

The selected squad will continue preparations in Europe, with further trials in Italy to finalise crew combinations ahead of racing.

Their selection not only recognises their individual performances but also reinforces the strength of WA pathways in developing athletes capable of competing on the world stage, as part of Rowing Australia’s long-term high-performance strategy.

Congratulations to these athletes.