CEO visits: How Tom got on in the Eastern, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Northern regions
Topics discussed included resources and support for masters rowers, getting young people out on the water and more opportunities for competition at all levels
British Rowing’s new CEO Tom Solesbury is travelling to rowing clubs around the country, plus Scotland and Wales during his first few months in post. His goal is to hear from the rowing community about the topics most important to them in order to shape British Rowing’s strategy going forwards.
This week, Tom has been in Peterborough for the Eastern Junior Inter-Regional Regatta trials, discussed Learn to Row incentives in Nottingham, visited the Yorkshire GB Performance Development Academy and seen the incredible work happening at Infinity Boat Club. Here’s how Tom has found his first week on the road!
Eastern Region
“I’ve had a fantastic start to my time on the road in Peterborough. It was brilliant to get to see the Eastern Junior Inter-Regional Regatta trials, and to see first-hand what the opportunity to represent their region means to so many young athletes. It was also great to be able to talk about competition structure, and gather views on the racing opportunities we have available. Whilst we were at Peterborough RC, the trials were a brilliant opportunity to catch up with the regions’ other clubs too.
East Midlands Region
After that I was Nottingham on Trentside, touring the clubs along that stretch – topped off by an incredible carrot cake. Nottingham and Union RC were kind enough to host us for lunch, where plenty of the regions’ clubs came together to go through the great things happening, as well as things they would like to see approved.
We had Beckett RC, Derby RC, Loughborough University BC, Nottingham RC, University of Nottingham BC, Devil’s Elbow RC, Leicester RC, Loughborough RC, Burton Leander RC – a fantastic turnout, discussing topics like learn to row incentives, racing opportunities for seniors and coaching.
Yorkshire Region
Doncaster is just an amazing setting for rowing. It was really great to be able to spend some time there, where we were joined by some incredibly dedicated volunteers from City of Sheffield RC and Gorse BC. Getting young people out on the water was a theme of the day, and it was brilliant to talk through some of the problems they are facing, as well as to hear some brilliant success stories. I’m so grateful to everything our volunteers and coaches do to keep things running.
After that I went to see a great session at Leeds Rowing Club, where we also met with people from Bradford Amateur Rowing Club. Leeds hosts our Yorkshire GB Performance Development Academy, as well as an incredible junior programme, so it was fantastic to see the work Matt, Rob and Kieran are doing there to set these young people up for international representation. After that it was York, where I met with York City Rowing Club, York University, and coaches from St Peter’s School.
Throughout my time in Yorkshire, we discussed how we could improve on non-competitive events and challenges for people who might not want to compete – as well as making sure there is a level of competition for everyone who does.
Northern Region
Next up was the Northern region, where we started at Tees RC speaking to some masters rowers who had just come off the water. It’s an amazing place to row with a great long stretch, and thank you for the club committee for hosting me!
Infinity BC was an incredibly inspiring place to visit, learning about the work they do to help school children realise their full potential both on and off the water. We topped off the Northern region with a visit to Durham Amateur RC, where we were joined by Durham Cathedral School and Tyne United RC, and then onto Tyne RC.
The importance of resources and support for masters rowers is clear, as well as how we can make the most out of indoor rowing. Thank you to every club that has opened their doors to me so far!
Tom’s visits continue today in Scotland, and then to the West Midlands next Thursday!
