Lea from HASK Rowing Club – When Sport Becomes Your Path, On and Off the Water – STAY!
For some, sport means competition. For others, it’s routine. But for Lea, a long-time rower from HAŠK Mladost, sport became a space for growth, development, and discovering new ways to stay connected to what she loves, even after stepping back from daily training.
Meet Lea: a student, judge, sport enthusiast and a living example that sport continues beyond the boat.
Lea, can you briefly introduce yourself?
Hi! I’m Lea, a student at FER (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing), and I’ve been rowing for seven years. Although I train less now due to university responsibilities, I’m still an active member of the club, just in a slightly different way.
What motivated you to stay involved, even if you’re training less?
Rowing practices are intense, and with university and other extracurricular activities, I didn’t have the energy for daily training anymore. But I didn’t want to lose my connection with the club and the sport. The club gave me the opportunity to help write project proposals and funding applications, which turned out to be a great way to stay involved.
We’ve heard you’re now also a certified judge?
Yes! The club supported me in obtaining my judging license, and now I participate as a rowing judge at competitions. Even though I’m not competing anymore, I feel like I’m still contributing to the club and the sport and that means a lot to me.
How would you describe what rowing has given you?
Rowing is definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I’ve met incredible people and gained knowledge and experiences I never expected, not just in sport, but in life in general.
What did you learn through the STAY! project?
The most important realization for me was that sport is more than just the physical part. Through the project, I got a behind-the-scenes look at everything — organisation, administration, communication — and it opened my eyes. Sometimes I find that world even more interesting than competing!
Are you still staying active in sport?
Absolutely. Sport gives me structure, a sense of belonging, and joy. I’m happiest when I’m active and surrounded by people from the sport.
Lea’s story proves that leaving sport doesn’t mean leaving the community. Through the STAY! project, she found a new perspective and her club gained a dedicated member who may no longer sit in the boat, but is still rowing with the same heart.