Hartpury College student Phoebe Leibbrandt has gained valuable international experience representing Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse Beach Sprints Regatta in Figueira da Foz, Portugal.
Phoebe, a first-year Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport (Sport and Exercise Science) student and member of Hartpury College's Rowing Academy, was selected to represent the GB Rowing Team at the international event, which provides a development opportunity for aspiring junior rowers in the emerging discipline of beach sprint rowing.
Beach sprint rowing is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, creating exciting new opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and gain experience on the international stage.
The regatta presented a challenging level of competition for the British squad, with several competing nations fielding their World Championship teams.
Competing in the Junior Women's Double Sculls (2x), Phoebe progressed through to the knockout rounds on both Friday and Saturday, gaining valuable experience against international opposition.
On Sunday, Phoebe also contributed to Great Britain's performance in the team relay event, helping the squad secure sixth place out of 16 competing nations.
The event also saw a member of Hartpury's rowing coaching team selected to represent the GB Rowing Team as a coach, highlighting Hartpury's involvement in supporting athlete development at international level.
Following her first international appearance, Phoebe will now turn her attention back to training with Hartpury College's Rowing Academy, building on her experience as she works towards competing for national titles.
Her selection and performance reflect the opportunities available through Hartpury's specialist sports academies, which combine academic study with high-performance coaching, training and competitive experience.
Hartpury College's Rowing Academy continues to support aspiring athletes in developing their potential, providing a pathway to compete at national and international level while progressing their education.
