Stella Clayton-Greene | Sport

My name is Stella Clayton-Greene. I began rowing at Hauraki Plains College in 2013 as part of the “Learn to Row’ programme. Here I found an instant love for the sport, and haven’t lost this passion since. During the 6 years I have been rowing I can say I have experienced both the lows of injury and rehabilitation, and the highs of achieving goals, podium placings, and also the great friendships that rowing brings.

I made my first New Zealand team in 2018 (NZ Juniors), rowing in the Womens Double Scull at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.This was an amazing first experience on the world stage – travelling to a World Championships with some of my now closest friends, experiencing a world class event, and coming home with a Bronze medal made it even more special. This event inspired me to continue to follow my passion, and take my rowing career further.

Unfortunately I was injured during the 2019 NZ domestic rowing season, and was not selected to trial for the U23 team, but after continuing with my own training and rehabilitation with the Waikato RPC, I was used regularly as a stand in for the U23 Womens Quad due to injuries in their crew. Following this I was asked to join the team over in Sarasota, Florida, USA, as a travelling reserve for the Womens Quadruple Sculls. I raced in the ’Spares Race’ at the U23 World Championships, and competed well to win this race. Although I was not used in the Womens Quad crew, it was fantastic to experience what racing at this level was like, and to see how the preparation and execution of racing differed from Juniors level.

Off the water I am studying Interior Design through the NZ Institute of Interior Design and loving the contrast to rowing this provides. I believe it’s important to create a good balance between the two sides of my life, and develop my other interests, while remaining fully committed to my sport.

I am so grateful for the opportunities rowing has opened up for me to grow as an athlete and a person, and will hold the passion for the sport forever.