Row with the Rhinos indoor rowing competition launches in Leeds

The event forms part of a new project focussing on bringing fresh opportunities to those who might not have the chance to try rowing otherwise, both indoor and on the water.

British Rowing and the Leeds Rhino Foundation have joined forces to put on ‘Row with the Rhinos’, an exciting project to open new doors and opportunities in rowing (both indoor and on the water) across the city of Leeds.

The aim is to support a new generation of rowers, helping create a step change in how rowing is seen and accessed in Yorkshire. Focusing on increasing the number of young people into the sport from all walks of life, this new sporting offering will also extend to adult initiatives.

“The Leeds Rhinos Foundation is the heartbeat of community sport and opportunities for young people and adults across the city of Leeds.”

Alongside this partnership is the Yorkshire GB Performance Development Academy, operating out of Leeds Rowing Club in Stourton. The Academy develops individuals between the ages of 14-22 with no rowing experience into Olympic Champions, and will be lending its expertise to ensure that those who meet talent testing requirements are supported to succeed on both the national and international stage.

Find out more about talent testing

Beyond the athletes, British Rowing will also be increasing coaching opportunities in the area by supporting individuals with indoor rowing teacher training and other indoor and on-water Instructor and coach qualifications.

The main event – Row with the Rhinos Indoor Rowing Competition 2025

Part of a bi-annual series, the competition will run at Headingley Stadium, South Stand on Wednesday 26 November. It’ll bring Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9 students from schools across the region to compete in a fun and competitive environment, thanks to a collaboration with Leeds Rowing Club and Trinity Academy Leeds.

Download the school's entry form now

Chris Farrell, British Rowing Head of Community said ‘It is fantastic to be able to drive forward this very special new partnership with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. The Leeds Rhinos Foundation is the heartbeat of community sport and opportunities for young people and adults across the city of Leeds. Working together, we can ensure that the opportunity to make rowing, everyone’s sport, is also now a possibility, helping more people in more places, removing barriers that currently prevent them from taking part and aiding new, accessible ways to start and continue in the sport if they wish. The inaugural Row with the Rhinos event in November is just the starting point for this project, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.’

Bob Bowman, CEO of Leeds Rhinos Foundation said ‘“The purpose of Leeds Rhinos Foundation since it’s formation in 2005 is ‘Changing Lives Through the Power of Sport’. Simply we are about creating more opportunities, especially for young people, to experience the array of sporting and physical activities that are available. By offering those opportunities we stand a much better chance that young people reap the benefits physically, mentally and morally that sport can offer.

Leeds has a strong association with on water rowing most notably via the University of Leeds and Leeds Rowing Club. The sport, and its indoor variant, offers those inspirational elements of fun, teamwork, challenge and respect.

We are proud to be working with British Rowing and the schools of Leeds to host our first ever Row with the Rhinos event at the iconic AMT Headingley stadium south stand on the 26th November where large numbers of young people will have a fantastic time. We hope this initiative grows, indoor rowing is very accessible and is a really challenging sport in itself. Ultimately it will be great to identify some talented individuals to take on a development pathway and who knows a future major event medallist!

Let’s get ready to Row with the Rhinos!