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
Posted: 26 June 2024 As part of sportscotland #VolunteerInSport month, we would like to shine the spotlight on...
Read more: ...
Posted: 26 June 2024 Please be aware of some of the planned and current coach qualifications...
Read more: Upcoming...
Posted: 24 June 2024 This weekend saw plenty of action for Scottish Rowing athletes with four...
Read more: Wonderful...
Posted: 24 June 2024 Last weekend a record number of over 2,300 female athletes (579 crews)...
Read more: Scottish...
Posted: 24 June 2024 Lunch Interval Thursday 4th July 2024 Henley...
Read more: Henley Royal...
Posted: 07 June 2024 Scotland’s leading rowers will have an added incentive when they arrive on...
Read more: New and old...
Posted: 01 June 2024 Hello and welcome to the June 2024 quarterly newsletter! What a busy few months it...
Read more: June...
Posted: 04 June 2024
Read more: LGBTQ+ Support
Posted: 16 May 2024 The inaugural Scottish Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, part of the Four...
Read more: Introducing...
Posted: 13 May 2024 The regatta season started off strong on the 20th of April as the Scotland...
Read more: Team Scotland...
Posted: 8 May 2024 Scottish Rowing is delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Boucher as its new...
Posted: 02 May 2024 We wanted to provide an update on Board recruitment following three new...
Read more: Board Update...
Posted: 10 April 2024
Posted: 8 April 2024 The Scottish Argonauts Project provides a unique opportunity for many of our...
Posted: 22 March 2024 Scottish Rowing is seeking a strong and dynamic Chief Executive Officer to...
Posted: 21 March 2024 After many years of hard work and dedication we are excited to announce that...
Read more: River Ayr...
Posted: 18 March 2024 The inaugural Scottish Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, part of the Four...
Read more: Beach Sprint...
Posted: 8 March 2024 In celebration of International Women's Day, Scottish Rowing is proud to...
Read more: International...
Posted:1st March 2024 Hello and welcome to the third quarterly newsletter! Happy New Year and...
Read more: March...
Posted: 27 February 2024 Scottish Rowing is seeking three new Directors to join its voluntary...