News

Posted: 23 April, 2016

The London 2012 Olympics had a profound effect on numbers of people taking up rowing.

So large was the flood of interest at Stirling Rowing Club that it only recently worked through the waiting list it accrued four years ago.

That was the time ever had a waiting list in recent years and as a result it recruited 40 new members.

Since then Stirling has learnt the lessons and adapted by investing in new coaches and boats.  

It is also one of the first to sign up to Scottish Rowing’s Project Rio campaign, devised to ease pressure on clubs by providing resources and merchandise so that coaches and volunteers can focus on the important business of coaching and enthusing newcomers.

“We had always had a steady trickle of new members but for a period of six months before the London Olympics, and up to six months afterwards, we had a steady stream of enquiries from people wanting to join,” recalls Jane Steel, Stirling’s Club Secretary.

Club numbers now stand at a healthy 90 and are spread across all age groups.  But members are still eager to attract newcomers.

“We want to encourage all ages and more young people particularly between 12 and 13 year olds,” continued Jane.

“That would give us five or six years to work with them prior to them going to university which would get them to a high level in that time.

“We have a strong senior membership but want to encourage more adults too. The good thing about adults is that they tend to stay with you for a long time once they’ve joined.”

As an outcome of the London 2012 experience, Scottish Rowing devised Project Rio to lessen the burden on clubs so they can put their efforts into absorbing new members during times of peak demand.

The project, which will be officially launched next month, features a National Come and Try Week (18-26 June), Learn to Row courses through the summer and a Rio Regatta (24 September).  

“In 2012 we managed things ourselves but we found it quite difficult to cope,” Jane admitted

“But with Project Rio there will be a defined structure, marketing materials and coaching plans.  And the regatta at the end will be a real draw and a great experience to be a part of no matter what your skills are.”

The club has also trained four new coaches to bolster its existing coach workforce of three.  At the same time it has invested in equipment.

With funding from Scottish Rowing - through its Ready for Rio club development grant - in addition to awards from the BIG Lottery Fund,  the Littleton Trust, and Club Sport Stirling the club bought three new boats, one of which is well suited to beginners and people with a disability.

“Having seven coaches is making a big difference,” Jane said.  “And now having three more boats, one of which is a training gig double which is wider and more stable, means it’s excellent for training complete beginners and rowers with a disability.”

For your club to get the most out of this opportunity for greater media coverage please sign up by 29 April 2016.

For more information on Project Rio visit:  www.scottish-rowing.org.uk/index.php/rio2016/prrio/projectrio

Or contact your Scottish Rowing Regional Development Manager; details at: www.scottish-rowing.org.uk/index.php/about-us/people