Photo - Ellie Piggott and Emily Craig. Photo credit - Naomi Baker.

Six-time international medallist and Bedford High School alumna, Eleanor Piggott, is retiring from rowing after an 11-year career representing Great Britain.

Speaking of her decision to retire, Ellie said: “I’m happy this is the right decision at the right time for me. I’ve loved my time in the team and feel really lucky to have had a fantastic career, travelling the world doing the sport I love and representing my country. I have met some amazing people along the way who have made the experience all the more special and become firm friends beyond the boat. Whilst I will no doubt miss being part of the team, I feel this is a happy retirement and I’m excited for the next challenge now.” (BritishRowing.org). Read the full feature here.

Ellie, a former Head Girl, first picked up her oars at Bedford High School and was coached by the late Mick Deards, a much loved rowing coach by so many at the High School and latterly at Bedford Girls' School. She left in 2009 and went on to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford, achieving a first class honours degree and winning the Boat Race with Oxford twice. She has represented the GB rowing team at every age level and is a former World University and Under 23 Champion. In 2016, she won gold at the senior World Championships in Rotterdam, fulfilling a childhood dream. 

Ellie has already jumped into her next challenge with a role in management consultancy, a career she has been aiming for since graduating university.