TALENTED Stroud rower Ben McSweeney will make his Great Britain bow at the European University rowing championships this August in Holland and Hungary.

Ben, 20, a former pupil at Stroud Valley and Marling, has just finished his Geography degree at Bristol University, and only started rowing in his first year at college but quickly got into the first boat in his second year when he was scouted to join the GB team.

Ben will be rowing in a coxless four in Europe with three fellow university rowers - Ben Bathurst from Cirencester, Andrew Turner and Andrew Parish.

The four recently won a gold medal in the British Universities and Colleges Sports Championships for the best university in the country at the national Rowing centre in Nottingham.

Ben will be training throughout the summer and is in need of sponsorship in order to help with travel and accommodation costs throughout the events.

Ben said: “ The benefit to a sponsor would be helping someone from Stroud who is rowing at a high proficiency level.

“In return they would get photographs from the races with their name underneath and also their name on the side of the boat.”

Ben’s coach Gordon Trevett, who Ben describes as “a formidable character”, rowed for both New Zealand and Great Britain and has won Henley and held the world record on rowing machines.

Gordon added: “Ben did not have the advantage of rowing before going to university and has developed exceptionally quickly as a gifted and determined rower.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Ben should ring 01453 756986.