Helping Schools Row to Success!

Youth Sports Trust - 08/06/2007

The framework has been developed with the support of the Youth Sport Trust to ensure schools understand they can take part in standardised indoor and water-based rowing.

Rowing is the 20th sport to complete the new school framework which will clarify the levels of competition available, how they can be organised and progression routes for young people. The framework is based on the ARA’s work through Project Oarsome and will be delivered in collaboration with the new networks of Competition Managers in School Sport Partnerships.

Roger Davis (National Development Manager for the National Council for School Sport) was pleased to attend the National Schools Regatta.  “It was great to see thousands of young people from hundreds of schools and clubs competing at the National Watersports Centre,” he said.

“Rowing is one of Great Britain’s most successful Olympic sports and the Framework will help schools and Competition Managers to understand and help organise a greater number of high quality events,” he added. “The Youth Sport Trust and ARA are committed to ensuring a sustainable legacy for rowing after London 2012 and this work is an important part of that commitment.” 

The launch coincided with the 60th National Schools Regatta, or NSR, at Holme Pierrepont which has evolved into largest domestic rowing event for girls and boys of school age. The event is run over three days with around 3,500 competitors contesting 48 different events. Almost 50% of the finalist boats had connections with state schools in School Sport Partnerships.

Simon Dickie, ARA Youth and Community Manager, said: “The ARA would like to thank the Youth Sport Trust and National Council for School Sport for helping us develop the Competition Framework for Rowing. Our sport is successful at many levels and with indoor rowing, every secondary school can choose to participate in the run up to and beyond the London 2012 Olympics. Over 500 schools are now linked to clubs so the future looks very positive.”

The ARA also launched their new version of Safeguarding and Protecting Children for 2007. Working closely with the Youth Sport Trust and the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) the ARA ensure that PESSCL Child Protection standards are at the heart of all their work.

ARA Deputy Chair Annamarie Phelps, winner of several World titles, said: “Our work with the CPSU, the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England continues to be vital in helping the safe and effective growth of youth rowing.”

The ARA materials include leaflets for young people, training for coaches and volunteers as well as guidelines for indoor rowing plus water based activity.