4 days ago
Reading teenager becomes world champion rower
A Reading teenager has become a world champion rower.
17-year-old Ione Haley clinched the gold medal in the women's eight category at the World Rowing U19 Championships.
The Abbey School student was a proud member of the Great Britain crew that triumphed in Trakai, Lithuania.
The crew included Charlotte Tong, Eve Pinsent, Freya Coupe, Charlotte Taylor-Aubery, Elayna Yap, Lucy Pillar, Lara Bone, and the cox, Hannah Jacobs.
Rowing is in Ione's blood, with both her parents having rowed for university teams and Scotland.
She said: "My mum rowed at university and then for Scotland and my dad also rowed at uni and for Scotland and I think maybe England.
"I never stopped after that."
She has been a member of Marlow Rowing Club since her early years and trains six days a week.
Ione said: "I like the fact that you get something out of it in the end.
"I like the fact that I train for a goal and then you can often achieve that goal."
Her passion for the sport has seen her compete at the prestigious Henley Regatta in both 2024 and 2025.
Ione's advice for aspiring rowers is: "Even if you don't like it at first, keep pushing with it."
