StreetGames unites disadvantaged communities
On 20th August 2009, StreetGames, together with Pro-Active West London, Hillingdon Council and Harrow Council, ran a London StreetGames event at Brunel University Sports Centre.
As part of this event the UK’s governing body for rowing, the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) in conjunction with WaterRower, set up an indoor rowing event in which over 70 children participated with prizes awarded to the top 6 finishers in both the boys and girls categories. The event saw children who had never used an indoor rowing machine before introduced to the sport. The use of WaterRegatta competition software enabled the children to compete against each other interactively on a big screen.
StreetGames is a national charity which develops sport with disadvantaged communities and makes sport accessible to young people regardless of their social circumstances. This event was an opportunity for StreetGames projects to bring young people to participate in a competition, and have the opportunity to try out new sports. WaterRower have helped to increase participation in indoor rowing by ensuring reduced rates and special event hire for schools and youth organisations, whilst encouraging quality in the activity by providing training through the ARA ‘Indoor Rowing in Secondary Schools’ programme.