Rowing to receive £9.1 million from Sport England

Sport England has announced that Rowing is to receive funding of £9.1 million, its share of the ‘£480 million investment in 46 sports to deliver grassroots sporting opportunities and a lasting Olympic legacy of one million people playing more sport.’

The Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) is delighted with the news and grateful to Sport England for this demonstration of confidence in the governing body to increase participation and sustain the levels of excellence in rowing.

Rosemary Napp, National Manager, sees the sport as having a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Rosemary Napp

Rosemary Napp, National Manager of Rowing, said, “London 2012 and its legacy programme means that sport has been given a once in a lifetime opportunity. Following the inspiring achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic teams in Beijing there are high expectations of rowing and the award announced today gives us just the support we need as we go forward.

It’s exciting news and we’ll be putting into action the plans we have for new activities, fun competitions and personal challenges. Really useful market research has underpinned all the work that went into our bid. We’ve listened to what people both outside and inside rowing want and our aim is to make that happen as quickly as we can.”

ARA Chairman, Di Ellis CBE, was delighted that the hard work had paid off

Di Ellis CBE

Rowing is club-based and ARA clubs, coaches and volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport. This news means clubs can be supported to offer more flexible training programmes and social rowing opportunities.

As well as keeping its young people in the sport the ARA aims to attract new rowers with a range of lighter, wider and more robust training and leisure boats.

ARA Chairman, Di Ellis CBE said, “I’m grateful to Sport England for their continued support through this award. It’s a tribute to the ongoing hard work of the National Manager, ARA staff, our volunteers and members, and all those who fed into the development of our plan. It’s been a real team effort and this approach gives me the confidence that rowing on and off the water will contribute to the success of 2012 and provide a lasting legacy beyond.”

More detail about the awards from Sport England’s website