This week British Rowing announced its “Just Start With One” programme to promote adaptive rowing in UK clubs. Their announcement “New funding available to help clubs offer adaptive rowing” introduced the initiative:
- “Adaptive rowing is a daily part of rowing life in 39 clubs across Britain already and we are now looking to work with more clubs to support rowers with adaptive needs to make our sport truly accessible and one that is enjoyed by all. You can find out more about adaptive rowing here. Working closely with the Adaptive Working Group, our ambition is to double the number of clubs supporting adaptive rowing or offering mixed rowing opportunities (where adaptive rowers row with mainstream rowers) to increase participation in adaptive rowing in England by the end of 2023. So, if your club wants new members, we encourage you to include those with adaptive needs. We have developed a special package of support to get you started, even if it’s for just one adaptive rower in your area. This ‘just start with one’ approach means that supporting adaptive rowers doesn’t have to be extensive; we already know that many of the best adaptive rowing programmes across the country started off small through simply providing access for someone who wanted to get involved with the sport.”
The key components of the programme are the following:
- FREE coaching advice and workshops as to how best to support rowers with different needs
- FUNDING support for an equipment starter pack via the Adaptive Equipment Fund (£500 – £1000) to help you adapt existing boats and provide the support your rowers need from stabilisers to seats
- MENTORING advice and support from those across the community who have years of experience in supporting rowers with adaptive needs
- COMMUNITY for people with an impairment to become adaptive rowing coaches and share their experiences with more people wanting to row indoors or on the water.
I was personally involved in the crafting of this initiative and will be one of the volunteer advisors on hand to provide training, support and other guidance to clubs looking to take advantage of the scheme.
Get the word out and lets get more rowing clubs opening their doors to adaptive rowers!
Would outreach be available to kids with disadvantaged backgrounds or SEN such as autism?
Absolutely. The Community Adaptive Group has a special sub-group focusing on Neurodiversity and how best to support it in the sport of rowing. The charity LoveRowing specifically focuses on supporting initiatives to support people with disadvantaged background and a range of disabilities including cognitive.