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Three Down…One To Go!

The third TBSF Get Going, Get Rowing County Final followed suit from the previous 2 events, once again showing the enthusiasm and excitement schools in the North East have for Indoor Rowing. One hundred of the best students from schools around Tees Valley, including the best from the previous Middlesbrough Final, arrived at Teesside University on Tuesday 13th December to row for their place in the regional finals in March.

Back in November 2010, all Middlesbrough schools received 5 indoor rowing machines donated by the Steve Redgrave Fund and Comic Relief. Since then, the Tony Blair Sports Foundation has been working in partnership with Teesside Sport on a project to increase participation in rowing for all students aged 11-18, both in and out of the curriculum, using these machines. The Foundation has trained 15 volunteer coaches from Teesside University to deliver Indoor Rowing sessions to schools in the Middlesbrough area. Half of these students also attended the TBSF Adaptive Indoor Rowing course which means they are now qualified to go into local special schools targeted by the project in the area. With plans to hold a further adaptive training course for students, as well as progress the two lead volunteers through to their Level 2 coaching qualification, the Foundation is making great progress in supporting the development of Indoor Rowing in the Middlesbrough and Tees Valley area.

Natalie Broom, Sports Development Officer, from Teesside University says:

“We have had a lot of positive feedback from the schools that have really engaged in this project in terms of how quickly the kids are developing...we are hoping to get some of them out on the water after Christmas once our lead volunteers, Anthony and Heidi have completed their Level 2 Coaching Rowing qualification. The support the Tony Blair Sports Foundation has given us in terms of the funding and support they have provided for our 15 trained student volunteers has been integral to us being able to push this project in Middlesbrough forward so it continues to develop.”

The Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Cllr Paul Baker, was present throughout the day and thoroughly enjoyed himself saying:

“What a great event, you can really see the kids enjoying themselves...this is a fantastic competition for schools in the Tees Valley area.”

The Foundation looks forward to welcoming Cllr Baker to the Regional Finals on the 1st March 2012.

We were also very lucky to have the U23 World Champion British Rower, Kat Copeland in attendance who was fantastic role model for the day showing the participants what they can aspire to in the future with hard work and dedication. Kat told us a little about her story so far as an elite rower.

“I started rowing when I was about 14 at school. I went to Yarm School which is a specialist rowing school and started the sport because all my friends took part. I then joined Tees Rowing Club which has a good junior section. I was small compared to the other girls so I had to work that much harder to improve and develop.

Advice I would give to other young people starting out in the sport is, join a club and don’t be nervous trying a new sport...the great thing about rowing is that how well you do equates to how hard you work.

When I won the lightweight’s women’s single scull at the World Rowing U23 Championships earlier this year I felt a lot of pressure but just wanted to prove to myself I could win and do well. My belief in myself got me through it. When I crossed the line in 1st place I was overcome with emotion, I cannot describe how it felt but it is definitely a moment that will stay with me forever.

My success at the U23 World Championships has a lot to do with my coach James Harris. We really click and he understands the sacrifices I make for rowing. The work the Foundation is doing in increasing participation in this sport is amazing but even better is that they recognise that we also need more trained coaches – I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without James.

The Foundation’s Get Going, Get Rowing event is excellent for the North East. This is the first time I have seen one of these competitions and I think it is exactly what the sport needs at grass roots level. Rowing can sometimes be seen as a bit of a posh sport and making it more accessible to schools is good step forward for the Tees Valley area and the North East.”

Kat is competing in the next set of trials for the 2012 Olympics selection this weekend and finds out in March whether she makes Team GB for the London games. The Tony Blair Sports Foundation wishes Kat the best of Luck for this weekend and the run up to Team GB selection in March.

The last County Final is on 9th February at Sport Central, Northumbria University where we will have the best of Tyne and Wear’s indoor rowers lined up to compete for the last remaining places in the Regional Finals in March.

We would like to thank British Rowing and Concept2 for supporting us throughout the Get Going, Get Rowing competition and look forward to continuing to work with them in 2012.

If you would like to know more about the Foundation and how you can join us in our ‘Inspiring the North East’ campaign then please get in touch with us at info@tonyblairsportsfoundation.org