West Region Sport Unlimited Project

British Rowing has recently been successful in obtaining funding via the
‘Sport Unlimited’ programme, to run a project designed to increase the number
of 16-19 year olds taking part in rowing in the West Region.

The project, funded via the Sport Unlimited programmes run by Cornwall
and Devon County Sports partnerships, is being run in partnership with several
FE colleges in Cornwall and Devon, including Cornwall and Truro Colleges. Other
partners include the Cornish Pilot Gig Association, the UK Surf Rowing League,
the West of England ARA and the Plymouth Rowing Forum.

The scheme is designed to increase the number of 16-19 year olds taking
part in rowing in the county, by developing links between clubs and further
education colleges. The clubs involved with the scheme have been accredited to
deliver British Rowing’s new ‘Explore Rowing’ Learn to Row programme, and
provided with funding via Sport Unlimited to run an eight week Learn to Row
course for pupils from their local FE college. The clubs and FE colleges
involved in the scheme in Cornwall and Devon are as follows;

Charlestown Gig Club – Cornwall College (St Austell Campus)

Caradon Gig Club – Cornwall College (Saltash Campus)

Falmouth Gig Club – Cornwall College (Falmouth Marine School)

Calstock Gig Club – Cornwall College (Duchy Campus)

Truro Gig Club – Truro College (Truro Campus)

Mounts Bay Gig Club –  Truro College (Penwith Campus)

UK Surf Rowing League – Truro School and Truro High School

Plymouth Rowing Forum – Plymstock SSP

Tamar/Tavy Gig Club – Tavistock College

Dartmouth ARC – Dartmouth College

Paignton ARC – Paignton College

The activity is due to take place in the summer and autumn terms, and is
already underway at a couple of sites, including Charlestown Gig club, who ran
their first session for pupils from Cornwall College St Austell last week.

The scheme is something British Rowing are very excited about, and it is
hoped that the project will help establish long term partnerships between the
clubs and FE colleges, providing pupils from the colleges with ongoing
opportunities to take part in rowing.

Report from Tom Pattichis

British Rowing Team Leader – West Region