A MONMOUTHSHIRE schoolgirl rower’s dream of competing in the Olympics has taken one step closer to becoming a reality.

Charlotte Gill, an 18-year-old pupil at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, recently impressed a talent development coach for the GB rowing team at a British Start Programme.

The scheme is responsible for selecting almost a third of the Team GB Rowers, including Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, who won gold in the Women’s Pair in 2012.

After being put through her paces with various physical tests, Charlotte’s scores determined she has the potential to perform well at the Olympics.

She said: “I’m so happy.

“My ultimate goal is to represent GB, the Olympics would be amazing and I’d love to win a medal at Women’s Henley too.

“I love rowing because it’s a team sport and you meet like-minded people who are working towards the same goal as you - making the boat go faster.

“Seeing improvement and reaching your goals with a group of your closest friends is one of the best feelings."

Charlotte’s latest victories include coming first in the women’s J18 coxed four at Hampton Head. She also represented Wales last summer at the Home International Regatta in Cork and came second in the women’s junior coxed four.