At the last Olympic Games in London, Reading’s David Rossfew was a mere spectator – fast forward three years and he is now planning his own route to the top, supported by the world’s most successful rowing club.

Inspired by the medal-winning exploits of Team GB at Eton Dorney in 2012, Rossfew made the decision to try his hand at rowing.

It proved to be a wise choice as the former Maiden Erlegh School pupil quickly found his feet at Reading Rowing Club before then transferring to Leander Rowing Club.

The latter can boast an unrivalled level of success with 111 Olympic medals won by its members, including Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

Alex Gregory and Pete Reed, half of the victorious coxless fours team at London 2012, are also current rowers at the club.

And Rossfew admits the chance to rub shoulders with the very best is an opportunity he is grasping with both hands.

“I first got into rowing at the 2012 Olympics when they were offering tickets to watch it,” said the 16-year-old.

"I watched it for the first time and I found it quite interesting. I got into it first at Reading, and then I got brought in to Leander."

“Leander is a very competitive and intense environment, but at the same time very caring and nurturing for developing yourself as a world-trained athlete. I think it’s a brilliant environment to be in."

“Leander is a completely different club to almost any other, because they provide lots of facilities such as physiotherapists, personal coaches which can really just help you develop a lot more, and I think it just generally provides a better quality of training."

“We’ve already had the Reading Head where I came first in a double. My ultimate ambition in rowing is aiming for the World Championships and the Olympics in the future.”

Rossfew is not the only up and coming Reading rower looking to benefit from the expertise at the hand at Leander with former Highdown School pupil Hadley Butcher-Ficke also among the ranks.

And while the season may only been in its early stages, the 16-year-old knows that every moment counts.

“I want to get to the Olympic Games, but I’m not sure which one yet, hopefully sooner rather than later,” he said.

“I want to get as many medals as I can with the help of Leander because I think they are a really good help for me."

“When you go to competitions, everyone knows who you are and what the type of club is, who has come from the club."

“It’s great to be a Leander Club athlete because of all the great rowers that have been here before and all the responsibilities you have and the footsteps you have to follow in.”

As Leander Club launched their ‘Row to Rio’ campaign David Rossfew and Hadley Butcher-Ficke spoke of Leander’s place as the most successful rowing club in the world, with 111 Olympic