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Northumberland Kicks Off the Get Going, Get Rowing County Finals

Monday 5th December saw the first County Get Going, Get Rowing Final with schools from across Northumberland coming together at the Newcastle University Sport Centre to compete for a place in the Regional Finals in March. With over 150 young people participating aged from 11 to 18, the atmosphere was electric throughout and competition was fierce.

Freya Waddington from Dr Thomlinson’s won the Year 7 heat and has earnt her place in the Regional Final “It feels great to get through to the regional finals and I really enjoy the sport!” Also hoping to do well at the Regional Finals in March is Toby Robinson from Haydon Bridge High School who won the Year 12 heat. He says “I train at our lunchtime club in school, rowing is a hobby for me and I love getting experience in competition. I hope to get to the National Finals” Toby is a new TBSF member having recently completed an Indoor Rowing for Young People Course and is now sharing his skills with younger students at his school.

Geoff Higgins, coach from Queen Elizabeth High School Rowing Club had a dedicated group of students with him on the day, some even taking the rest time to study for school. “The students train in the gym 2 or 3 times a week and are on the water twice a week. They take the sport very seriously and a lot of our students have aspirations to compete for Great Britain in the future!”

Barrie Hanley who has been a part of the Cambois Rowing Club for 57 years says, “Our students have done very well today and we have a few winners through to the finals in March.” Barrie was awarded Coach of the Year last weekend by British Rowing and is a great example of how volunteers in the North East are helping to promote rowing as a sport to youngsters in the region.

It is clear from Mondays Northumberland Final that, in partnership with British Rowing, Concept 2 and Newcastle University, the Tony Blair Sports Foundation is using Indoor Rowing as a vehicle to propel their ‘Inspiring the North East’ initiative and the response and enthusiasm for the sport is growing annually.

If you want more information on how you can get involved in the Get Going, Get Rowing Competitions or want to find out about coaching courses please contact us on 0191 276 0640 or at info@tonyblairsportsfoundation.org