ONE of the district's young rowers will represent Oxford University in the 2019 Lightweight Boat Race. 

Nick Ryan (19) will be at the bow of the eight-man Blue Boat in the race against Cambridge on Saturday, March 23. 

The contest for lightweight crews was traditionally part of the Henley Boat Races, from Phyllis Court to Temple Island along the famous 'Henley Reach' on London's River Thames.  

But this year, for the first time, the 45th lightweight contest will take place over full championship course, a fortnight prior to the main Boat Race, scheduled for on Sunday, April 7.  

Ryan has been a member of Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School Rowing Club since the age of 13. 

Last summer, the rower won gold at the National Championships in Nottingham, and in December, he was named young sportsman of the year at the Sport Tynedale Awards. 

Ryan is currently in his first year at Oxford University, where he is studying maths.