News

Posted 20 March 2026

Scottish Rowing was pleased to welcome senior leaders from British Rowing to Scotland last week, as Chief Executive Officer Tom Solesbury and Chair Diana Hunter spent two days meeting with clubs, partners and university programmes.

The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Scottish Rowing and British Rowing, while highlighting the breadth of rowing activity taking place across Scotland and the important role that clubs, universities and partners play in supporting the development of the sport.

During their time in Scotland, Tom and Diana visited the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Rowing’s High Performance Partner, where they met with staff and coaches to learn more about the university’s role in supporting performance rowing and developing athletes within Scotland’s pathway.

They also visited the Scottish Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park, where they observed the community outreach programme delivered by Strathclyde Park Rowing Club. The visit also included time with members of the Scottish Rowing Senior Leadership Team and Board, alongside discussions about the organisation’s newly launched strategy, Rowing in Scotland: The Next Chapter – 2026 and Beyond.

Tom Solesbury and Diana Hunter with Lee Boucher and Dr Laura Graham during their visit to the Scottish Rowing Centre.

Tom and Diana also met with representatives from the University of St Andrews to hear more about the partnership between Scottish Rowing, British Rowing and the university, which is developing a world-leading Beach Sprints programme and strengthening the pathway for coastal sculling.

Tom Solsebury, Chief Executive of British Rowing, said:

"Scottish Rowing is such an important partner for us, both with the incredible work they are doing to foster community rowing in the country and in the athletes they produce that are achieving at the highest level of our sport, across both the GB Rowing Team and the GB Beach Sprint Team.

I’m grateful that Scottish Rowing has welcomed me so early into my role, and at such an exciting time in the launch of their new strategy. As we evolve the British Rowing strategy, we’ll take on the learnings we’ve seen here, listening to the work of their incredible clubs and volunteers to help shape our sport for the future.

I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside Scottish Rowing across indoor, flat water and beach sprint rowing. Thank you for having me!"

The visit also included time at the West Boathouse on Glasgow Green, where they met representatives from Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club, Clyde Gateway and Stonelaw Academy. The session highlighted the community outreach work, funded in partnership with Clyde Gateway, Scottish Rowing and Clydesdale ARC, taking place locally to introduce more young people to rowing and provide accessible opportunities to get involved in the sport.

Tom Solesbury and Diana Hunter with Lee Boucher and Mark Senter meeting representatives from Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club, Clyde Gateway and Stonelaw High School at the West Boathouse on Glasgow Green.

Lee Boucher, Chief Executive of Scottish Rowing, said:

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Tom and Diana to Scotland and to introduce them to some of the people and programmes that make rowing here so special.

Tom is only in his second week as CEO, so we are particularly grateful that he chose to spend time in Scotland so early in his tenure. It gave us the opportunity to showcase the strength of our clubs, universities and community programmes, and to talk about how Scottish Rowing and British Rowing can continue to work together to support the sport across Great Britain.

We are proud of the work being delivered by clubs, volunteers and partners across Scotland, and visits like this help ensure those voices are heard as the sport continues to develop.”

Ian Thayne, Strathclyde Parck RC Outreach, said:

"We were delighted by the strong and positive feedback of Tom and Diana on hearing about the vision, experiences and impact of our community‑focussed rowing initiative. Our purpose is a simple one : to tackle the gap between the potential of local young people in Lanarkshire and the opportunities they are given.

Our work supports pupils from both primary and secondary schools, including those with additional support needs and young people excluded from mainstream education and highlights the importance of outreach programmes in widening access and breaking down stereotypical perceptions of rowing"

Jules Murciano of Stonelaw High School, said:
"It was a great opportunity to emphasise to those at the top of the sport, the importance of and benefits the schools programme has brought to the young people of Stonelaw High School. It was also good to be able to thank Clyde Gateway and Scottish Rowing for their funding of the programme" 

Scottish Rowing would like to thank everyone who helped host the visit and share their work with the British Rowing leadership team over the two days.