Queenwood students Zahra Taylor and Melody Yin have been selected to represent Australia at the 2025 World Rowing Junior Championships in Lithuania.

The pair will compete as part of the Junior Women’s Eight, a key event in junior international rowing.

For Zahra, the selection is the result of a years-long journey that began at Queenwood. “I’m very honoured to be selected as part of this campaign,” she says.

“It’s been about five years of hard work — learning to row, then to sweep, and slowly building all the different skills that led to this moment.”

Melody, the crew’s coxswain, brings a unique perspective as the only coxswain from Australia selected for the junior worlds.

“My role is different — I’m there to push the crew, not just train like the rowers do. That’s what makes it special for me,” she said.

Both are looking forward to the upcoming international experience for both the racing, and connecting with a new community of athletes. “I’m excited to meet new people and row with girls I haven’t rowed with before outside of the Queenwood environment,” Zahra said.

The school now holds more national titles than any other school. “Most of our top athletes are homegrown. They’re girls who picked up an oar for the first time in Year 7 and are now representing Australia,” said Alfie Young, director of rowing at Queenwood.

“It’s a testament to what’s possible when talent is nurtured from the ground up and supported by the community.”