British Rowing statement on Chester-le-Street ARC

The British Rowing Board has taken the decision to suspend the affiliation of Chester-le-Street  Amateur Rowing Club with British Rowing effective from Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Clarification:

In light of recent publications, news articles and statements made locally regarding Chester-le-Street ARC, British Rowing wish to clarify the club’s current status.  

Chester-le-Street’s affiliation with British Rowing is currently suspended, however, the club is able to operate outside of its affiliation to British Rowing and we are aware that it re-opened and restarted rowing activities on 15 August.

British Rowing continue to work collaboratively with the club and its management toward achieving a position where it is able to lift the club’s suspension in the future. We look forward to being able to reaffiliate the club and enable its rowers to compete at British Rowing organised and affiliated competitions at the appropriate time. 

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Having worked with the club over the past two years to improve its structure and governance, we have continued to receive various complaints about the governance and administration of Chester-le-Street ARC.

Having since been made aware of various challenges, including the resignation of the trustees, committee members, and key officials, and the decision made by the club’s trustees to temporarily close Chester-le-Street ARC, the Board discussed matters further at its July Board meeting.

The current situation is of great concern to British Rowing and we are committed to working with the club to identify the best route forward toward an environment that is well-governed and enjoyable for all. We hope that discussions, to be held in the coming weeks, will result in the Club being able to resume its affiliation and to re-open the club to its membership.

Whilst Chester-le-Street ARC is closed, British Rowing will be working with the region to identify opportunities locally for members to be able to continue enjoying rowing over the summer, and will communicate this with the members and parents of junior rowers at the club in due course.

British Rowing will continue to liaise with the Club and report progress to the Board. British Rowing will not comment further in relation to this matter at this time.