Birmingham School Games

Thursday 7th February saw the launch of the inaugural Birmingham School Winter Games Competition across Birmingham City.

The Indoor Rowing Championships were held at the Birmingham Futsal Arena, with the Birmingham Schools Rowing Competition organising the event.

Schools came from across the city to compete in the competition, with competing teams in all events from Year 7 all the way to Year 11.

Teams had to complete a distance of 2500m in teams of four, whilst other pupils and supporters encouraged from the side lines, watching the results on the big screens.

In addition to the main competition, we also had a 500m challenge, allowing participants to race as individuals. Mathew McElroy from Bishop Veseys Grammar School and Anettee Cameron from Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls took the prizes – some great rowing T-shirts from Rock the Boat.

It was the largest indoor rowing competition held in Birmingham, with over 200 children attending from a variety of different schools, and some incredible times being pulled.

Neil Mackintosh, chairman of the Birmingham Schools Rowing Association said: “It was a very successful day. It was great to see so many pupils attending, and there was a real atmosphere in the arena.

“It’s amazing to see how far the sport has progressed since we first set up the schools rowing project”.

The day would not have been possible without the support team made up of rowers from the Birmingham Rowing Club and the University of Birmingham Boat Club.

We are hoping that the pupils will want to continue their rowing career, by progressing onto the water in the summer months.

Tim Mason
BSRA Coordinator & Rowing Coach