Inspiration and aspirations for the new British Rowing Welfare, Wellbeing and Inclusion Award
Designed to celebrate those leading the way in promoting dignity within the sport of rowing, the new award celebrates those who put in effort on and off the water
In 2025 the British Rowing Awards will have a brand-new category, the Welfare, Wellbeing, and Inclusion Award. This award recognises outstanding contributions in these key areas and celebrates individuals, affiliated clubs, and initiatives that are leading the way in promoting dignity within the sport of rowing.
This award will celebrate clubs, programmes, or individuals who have gone above and beyond to create safe, welcoming, and supportive environments
“Every participant in our sport should feel valued, respected and supported both on and off the water,” says Welfare, Quality and Inclusion Lead Ben Gillard. “This award recognises that safeguarding, welfare, and inclusion are not just responsibilities, but essential parts of building strong, sustainable and enjoyable rowing communities.”
“I am delighted that the Welfare, Wellbeing, and Inclusion Award is being launched this year. This award will celebrate clubs, programmes, or individuals who have gone above and beyond to create safe, welcoming, and supportive environments for everyone in our sport.
The Welfare, Wellbeing and Inclusion Award reflects British Rowing’s continued commitment to:
- Promoting positive safeguarding and welfare practices that prioritise the physical and emotional safety of all members
- Championing mental health and wellbeing, ensuring that rowing remains a source of enjoyment, confidence and connection
- Advancing equality, diversity and inclusion, celebrating clubs and individuals who actively remove barriers and make our sport accessible to everyone
“This award has come about following suggestions from our community, which in itself highlights the excellent work that is being done across the country. We are proud to be able to use this award to highlight the importance of safeguarding, welfare and inclusion at every level of the sport, and to share examples of good practice that can inspire others.”
Awards that inspire
The new award was proposed by fourth-year Newcastle University student Harriet Taylor, who was inspired after winning University Crew of the Year in the 2024 Awards.
After Newcastle University BC’s Women’s 1st Eight reached the final of the Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta (a feat they repeated this year) Harriet and her crew were invited to an awards lunch at the River and Rowing Museum to celebrate their success. There was one award in particular that resonated with Harriet.
“Alex [Leigh] is organising chats with us every Wednesday, and we bring in experts from various fields. We’ve had talks to do with pelvic floors, women’s health, people learning about menstrual cycles and how to train effectively on your menstrual cycle, and how to work around it. Lola Anderson has come in a couple of times to talk to us about the importance of good sports bras because I know she feels really strongly about it, and preventing rib injuries.
I’m excited to hopefully learn new things every year through this award
“When I talk to people from other clubs, I realise that it’s a very niche thing that we have here, and I feel very lucky that we have it when you realise that other clubs don’t.
“This is the third season that we have been doing this, and you can tell the difference in the girls’ mentality about being open about things, talking about things. It creates an environment that is so lovely, and where everyone is happy to talk about the problems that we all encounter. It means we can point everyone in the right direction, and it’s such an open, honest conversation about everything, which is what I think it should be like everywhere.”
In a similar way that Harriet was inspired by the Sustainability Award, she is hoping that this award will be a catalyst for knowledge and best practice sharing.
“I’m excited to hopefully learn new things every year through this award that can be implemented at Newcastle, and hopefully other clubs can learn bits and pieces from them.”
Nominations are now open for the 2025 British Rowing Awards. Outstanding contributions for the Welfare, Wellbeing, and Inclusion Award may include:
- An individual/project that demonstrates robust safeguarding practices in line with British Rowing’s guidance and fosters a culture of trust and accountability.
- An individual who is driving positive cultural change within the club, region, or wider rowing community by introducing new initiatives, partnerships, or programmes that improve welfare, wellbeing, or inclusion.
- An individual/project that promotes positive physical, mental, and emotional well-being across the club or programme (provides resources, signposts members to initiatives like peer support networks, encourages healthy training environments that balance performance with participation and personal welfare).
- An individual/project that demonstrates a clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion by encouraging best practice and ensuring rowing is accessible to all.
- An individual/project that creates opportunities for those in underrepresented groups or celebrates the diversity of its members, allowing them to thrive
Entries close at midnight on Monday November 10.
