Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors wouldn't have it any other way — rowing for their country while juggling motherhood of their respective daughter and son, both under 18-months.
But the pressure and commitment this year is heightened, with the Paris Olympics just a few months away. They will go with the leading crews in the Rowing NZ elite squad to Rowing World Cup II in Lucerne next month. It's a 12-day trip, so they can afford to leave Keira and Rupert behind. But when they leave for the Olympics, it's a different story.
Including the build up training and acclimatisation for Paris, it's a total six-week trip. Too long for both to be away from their children, but one they'd need assistance for. And that's where rowing benefactors Derek and Judy Jones have come in. The pair, who have previously assisted the likes of Eric Murray to reach his famed heights in the sports, have funded Francis and Spoors to each have a support person to look after Keira and Rupert.
"Basically we couldn't be doing it without the help we're receiving and we're really appreciative of that. The reality is it's harder and it's tough, but we need it," Spoors told 1News.
"Being a mother it's harder, but at the end of the day we're still just working mums I guess and we're just showing up. There's immense privilege for us in being able to have a work space that lets us chase our dreams and that's what people recognise by coming on board and supporting that.
"Our performance was compromised without it."
Francis agreed the support of the Jones' has given them the chance to compete in the games.
"I think it was just a bit of a reality of the situation that we're in. We wanted to travel with our kids and our families, it was a bit too much time to be away from them and we're going to train better and race better with them around. I don't think we could've really asked for more."
The duo are a genuine chance at a medal. Having only been together in the double together since last year, they quickly made a presence, finishing fifth at the World Championships. With more time together, there could be a chance to stand on the podium in Paris and add to their silver medals from the Tokyo Games — Francis in the double with the now retired Hannah Osbourne and Spoors in the women's eight.
"Since coming back to training after World Championships last year I think we felt stronger from day one of training and every day we're making improvements still feeling strong. The boat's feeling good so I'm genuinely just excited about what we can do," Francis explained.
They'll know where they really are compared to the European crews at Rowing World Cup II in Lucerne from May 24.
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