Press Release:
Olympic Rower appointed as Director of Rowing at Chinese International School.
Olympian Pierpaolo Frattinni, is a worldwide renowned Italian Olympic rower and more recently, he’s now also identifiable as the New Director of rowing for Guiyang Prime International Academy (GPIA). Returning fresh from the 2016 Rio Olympics, he has contributed to strengthening the Sino – Italian alliance.
After his appointment, Pierpaolo was hugely supportive of this role at this point in his career as he feels “.. encouraging younger people to get into the sport of rowing is a good thing, but to spread the sport to younger people around the world is a great thing.” Pierpaolo. Adding “The new standard of international schools that are opening in Asia have access to facilities that would make many European and North American school envious”.
Guiyang Prime International Academy (GPIA)is situated only a short trip from the provincially famous Hundred Flower Lake. At 8km long and dotted with small forest covered islands around the perimeter, Hundred Flower lake is arguably one of the more beautiful settings in which to study and practice.
Balanced with this picturesque setting, the school has a 800m purpose built rowing facility on campus to ensure easy and quick access to rowing facilities. Pierpaolo promised to ensure that he will be bringing his Italian passion“..obviously I will be bringing the famous Italian spirit and passion with me when I am in China and passing on the diligence, persistence and work ethic that my coach taught me from a young age.”
Bilingual Headmaster Richard Howgate discusses the future of Athletics in China “While there is currently a big push for football in China, it’s important to make sure that Elite sports are given priority as well”.
“We have the opportunity to recruit the best rowers and students from a province of 40 plus million people, to have Pierpaolo agree to direct our rowing team was amazing news for all of the team. While there are several Chinese schools in Guiyang that have international curriculum, GPIA will be the first School to compete on the international stage.” He added.
“As China continues to build on its sporting successes from the Beijing, London and Brazilian Olympics, it’s encouraging to see rowing now being developed to ensure that it’s taken seriously in its future sporting portfolio”.
Finding the next Steven Redgrave or Mathew Pinsent is no easy accomplishment, it requires investment, attention to detail and a great support network of experts to harvest and develop future olympians, though it looks like GPIA is leading the way with the latest appointment.
To see how your rowing school can connect with us on future projects, email info@guiyangint.school for more information.
