South East Regional Rowing Council Forward Plan 2005-2009

South East Regional Rowing Council

Forward Plan 2005-2009

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South East Regional Rowing Council Forward Plan 2005-2009 1

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. INTRODUCTION

3. THE VISION

4. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

5. CONTEXT IN SPORT AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

6. PRIORITIES – BUILDING ON SUCCESS, FOCUSING

ON WHAT HAS WORKED, FURTHER INNOVATION

7. AIMS

APPENDICES 1. Member Clubs and Events in the Region. 2. Successes in the Region in the last 4 years. 3. Specific Partnership areas. 4. Plan items requiring funds to be raised through the

SERRC. 5. Priority facilities needed by Member Clubs in the Region.


1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The South East Regional Rowing Council (SERRC) is a representative body made up of Rowing Clubs and Events affiliated to the Amateur Rowing Association in Kent, Sussex and South East London. The SERRC governs and promotes rowing in the region and has developed this plan to prioritize and co-ordinate the SERRC’s aims and activities for the next four years and to mesh the region’s specific needs with the priorities identified within the ARA’s Whole Sport Plan. The SERRC’s Forward Plan tries to give vision and lead the way as to the future development and growth of rowing with in the SERRC’s region. The Region’s Forward Plan sets out the values and principles the SERRC wishes to encourage and seeks to guide Clubs and Events in:

• Playing an active part in developing rowing for the benefit their local communities. • Developing good and transparent practices and being accountable organizations. • Assisting the creation of new rowing clubs in the region. • Providing a welcoming environment with support for the participants. • Developing safe practices in rowing and a culture of safety. • Continuing to provide equal opportunities to all the participants in rowing. • Creating opportunities for those with talent to join High Performance pathways.. • Valuing and recognizing the work of volunteers and providing them with support and

training. The SERRC values all its Partners and welcomes the cooperation and help that the sport has obtained from all its partners. It will continue to work with the two Sport England regions and three County Sports Partnerships that the Council’s region spans, and it will work with the other ARA regions served by those Sport England regions to ensure that the SERRC’s requirements are taken into account and are not in conflict with those of our neighbouring ARA regions. We are pleased to be considered a priority sport for Sussex by the Sussex Sports Partnership. The SERRC will continue to work with current partners and actively seek out new partnerships to support the needs and aims of its Plan and for the good of rowing in the SERRC’s region. In its Forward Plan the SERRC set out its aims, priorities and the actions to be taken with regard to them. The priorities are to:

• build the capacity of, and modernize, the facilities of existing Clubs and help them gain security of tenure.

• increase the take up of education and training by participants and to help give a modern and clear structure to the sport within the region.

• help Clubs form lasting links with their local communities, schools and colleges etc. • help generate new clubs in new locations. • increase participation in rowing as a recreational activity by promoting the benefits

of indoor and touring rowing, • increase participation in rowing by minority groups. • increase competition in the Region and increase the numbers of trained Umpires. • improve communication in the Region by creating a regional web presence.


• encourage Members to be more aware of the plans of existing and potential Partners who could help them achieve their aims.

Through its regional survey, the ARA club survey and existing ARA files, the region has identified:

• Opportunities to expand the sport on to new waters at Sevenoaks, Ashford, Eastbourne, The Isle of Sheppey, Rye and Surrey Quays.

• Tenure issues for Clubs at; Ardingly RC, Erith RC and Medway Towns RC. • Facilities issues for Erith RC and Danson RC at Danson Lake, Globe RC and Curlew

RC at Trafalgar Rowing Centre -Greenwich, Medway Towns RC, and Maidstone Invicta RC.

2. INTRODUCTION Comments by the Regional Chairman Most people now have many more calls on their time than 20 years ago and are far less tolerant of poor facilities or extreme conditions than they used to be. Although we can not change where suitable rowing water is found, we must nevertheless attempt to meet the demands that modern life places on us by seeking to provide better facilities and structured coaching. Our long-term aim is for rowing to be viewed by all groups in society as a viable option for any adult or child wishing to take up a new sport and an enjoyable activity to help them keep fit. To start to meet this vision and the demands new participants will place on us requires us to enhance current Clubs and premises, form new Clubs in areas where none exist, offer good coaching and safety practices and form links and partnerships for mutual benefit with bodies whose aims converge with ours. Clubs must Plan for long term survival through modernisation of their premises and equipment and ensuring that they provide suitable structured training by qualified coaches. This Regional Plan is an attempt to provide the pathways to help Clubs formulate their Plans. The sport still has a long way to go but this Plan and vision is the starting step on rowing in the South East’s future path. The last Development Plan saw great opportunities for growth in the Region’s Member Clubs. During the last 4 years the Region’s ARA registered membership has grown by 40%. Women and girls’ membership in the Region has grown by 50% and have moved from 25% to 27% of the total but that is still below the national average at 35%. We still have a long way to go in this area and need to make positive efforts to encourage more women and girls into the sport. This Plan covers the development of all areas of the sport. However, there are major areas I wish to highlight here as of prime importance:-.

• Competition is the life blood of any sport and the Region needs try to build and sustain more Regattas. The two Regattas which remain in the Region are both on the Royal Docks and run over 2000 metres. A demand has been identified from most Clubs for 2-3 smaller sprint Regattas within the Region during the summer racing


season. This need has also been linked to an urgent need to develop and train more officials and umpires without whom races can not take place.

• Many of our existing open Clubs are hindered by a lack of secure tenure and/or poor

premises. The Region will support Clubs who wish to apply for grants and in their discussions with landlords, local councils or other bodies to obtain greater security of tenure and to develop adequate facilities for their members. I believe that far too much of our Clubs’ volunteers’ energy is still having to be spent in battling for the survival of the Clubs rather than coaching and developing the sport.

• In line with the government’s “Sport for all” strategy and the ARA's Forward Plan we must seek to develop rowing as a recreational fitness activity. This Plan seeks to encourage recreational and touring rowing by ensuring an organisational structure exists to enable more people who may wish to row without competing to take up our sport by providing them with a workable infrastructure within the Region. The Plan also seeks to encourage more indoor rowing by establishing school and club indoor rowing leagues and by Clubs forming links with local schools and gymnasiums to undertake indoor rowing.

I recommend this Plan to the Region’s Members in the belief that it meets both the needs of the sport and the aspirations of our future partners. About the Region The South East Regional Rowing Council (SERRC) is a representative body whose Members are the Rowing Clubs and Events affiliated to the Amateur Rowing Association in Kent, Sussex and East and South East London based on inland water. The SERRC governs and promotes rowing in the Region on behalf of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA). Day to day matters are dealt with by the Executive Committee. This is appointed each year at the SERRC’s Annual General Meeting. For a full list of the Region’s Members (and the Local Authorities in which they operate), see Appendix 1

About the Plan The SERRC has developed the Plan to co-ordinate its activities over the next four years. It is designed to mesh with the ARA’s Whole Sport Plan for rowing but emphasises the issues that are most relevant to the Region and the demands of its Member Clubs and Regattas.

It is a “living document” and will be monitored and amended throughout its life by the SERRC’s Executive Committee to ensure that appropriate developments over the next four years are factored into the Region’s planning process.

It identifies the key areas that the SERRC will encourage its Member Clubs and Regattas to develop in order to provide the necessary support for their athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials. Prioritizing these needs will enable the SERRC to assist its Members to attract the support and investment from funding partners, (Local Authorities, the ARA, etc.) that is needed for the sport of rowing to continue to develop.

The SERRC has consulted with its partners to produce the Plan.


It builds on the successes achieved during the life of the previous Regional Forward Plan and shown in Appendix 2.

Essex

Kent

E.Sussex

GREATER

LONDON

Surrey

W.Sussex

PR, UEL

C, Gl DE

B

Mi

Mt

Gr

Ksr

KscCp

SpUKKc

Ec

A

w

SHGR

SO

AS

R. StourR. M

edway

R.Thames

Danson Park Lake

London Regatta Centre

Ardingly Rs

BEWL Water Rs

Chipsted lake

BO

Royal

Military

Canal

R A

dur

R. O

use

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

The Area covered by the South East Regional Rowing Council (River)

X

Current Clubs in the Region.

Open Clubs. (Water.) A = Ardingly RC. (PO ) (Ardingly Res.) B= Bewl Bridge RC. (Bewl Water Res) D = Danson RC. (Danson Park Lake) R = Royal Docks RC. (PO ) (@LRC) P= Poplar Blackwall & Dist. RC(RThames) Gl = Globe RC (PX) (TRC & RThames) C = Curlew RC (LRC, TRC & RThames) E = Erith RC (RThames & Danson Lake) Gr = Gravesend RC.( RThames) Mt = Medway Towns RC (RMedway) Mi = Maidstone Invicta RC (PO) (RMedway) Sp = Spitfire RC (@ UK Boathse RStour) Closed Clubs. W= The Waterman’s Company (Thames) Cp = Canterbury Pilgrims RC. (Kings Cant.

Old boys @ School Bhse)

School Clubs Ksr = Kings School Rochester BC (R.Medway) Ksc = Kings School Canterbury BC(Westbere lake Sturry) Kc = Kent College BC (@UK boathse R Stour) Ec = Eastbourne College BC.(@Pevensey Levels) Institutes of Higher Education UK= University of Kent BC (R.Stour) UEL = East London University BC (@LRC) .NB. Other Bodies and Notes. (LRC) = London Regatta Centre & course @ the Albert Docks). (PO) = Project Oarsome (Junior) Club. (PX) = Project Oarsome xtra (Junior) Club.. (TRC) = Trafalgar Rowing Centre

Potential Sites Earmarked for New Clubs .

X = Coastal Rowing Clubs forming part of SE(Coastal) Rowing Council area.

There are sea rowing Clubs at :- SO = Sevenoaks (Chipstead Lakes) Herne Bay, Eastbourne AS = Ashford (Conningbrook Lake) Deal Bexhill SH = Sheerness ( Canal.) Dover, (PO). Shoreham GR = Greenland Dock (Surrey Quays) Folkestone Worthing BO =In the longer term the proposed Broadoak Reservoir near Canterbury.

Hastings


3. THE VISION The Region supports the Vision of the ARA’s Forward Plan 2005-9 and we will work within its objects to further that Vision.

Objects of the SERRC as set out in its Constitution:-

1 To promote the sport of rowing in the Region at all levels.

2 Regional representation through the medium of the Divisional Representative who for this purpose shall be styled the Regional Representative.

• To represent the interests of the Region within the ARA. • To represent the interests of the ARA within the Region.

3 To support all Members in the achievement of their objectives and in the conduct of their activities within the sport.

ARA’s VISION as set out in the ARA’s Forward Plan 2005-9

◊ rowing for life through well-resourced Clubs

◊ new participants through new partnerships

◊ inspiration through success at all levels of competition

4. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to play an active part in developing rowing to benefit local communities as part of the broader sporting and social agenda.

Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to develop good practices to provide transparent and accountable organisations.

Encouraging Member Clubs to assist in the creation of new rowing Clubs so as to develop rowing at additional sites in the Region.

Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to provide a welcoming environment and support for participants so that they can enjoy the sport at whatever level they choose to participate.

Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to develop safe practices in rowing and a culture of safety in the Region.

Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to continue to provide equal opportunities to participate in rowing regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or any other beliefs.


Encouraging and helping to create opportunities for those with the desire and talent within the Regions to join the High Performance pathway and achieve medal success at World and Olympic level.

Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to properly value the work of volunteers by providing recognition, support and training.

5. CONTEXT IN SPORT, AND WORKING IN

PARTNERSHIP Sport England The SERRC is served by two Sport England Regions: London, and South East. The London Region serves two other ARA Regions (Thames and Eastern) and the South East Region serves four other ARA Regions (Eastern, Thames, Wessex and South East Coast). The SERRC will continue to work with Sport England and the other ARA Regions to ensure that its requirements are taken into account and that they do not conflict with those of its neighbouring ARA Regions County Sports Partnerships The SERRC spans four counties (Kent, East and West Sussex and the Greater London Authority) which between them host 3 county sports partnerships: Kent Sports Development Unit, Sussex Sports Partnership, and the London Active Partnership. County Sports Partnerships are uniquely placed to help the SERRC and its Member Clubs with the promotion of rowing and channelling funding for rowing development (e.g. Community Sports Coaches) in their counties. There are proposals to change the structure of the London Active Partnership creating several smaller groupings. The SERRC looks forward to working with the relevant Partnerships and will ensure that all new Partnerships are aware of the SERRC and its Member Clubs. The Kent Sports Development Unit is also being restructured and the SERRC looks forward to continuing to work with the organisation when the restructuring has been completed. The SERRC is pleased that rowing is considered a priority sport by the Sussex Sports Partnership. However, there are limited resources for rowing on inland water in Sussex and the SERRC will encourage its Member Clubs based in Sussex to work with the Sports Partnership to promote indoor rowing and develop new sites for indoor rowing.

Water Authorities Many of the proposals contained elsewhere in the Plan depend on the appropriate Authorities and/or water and land owners continuing to allow access to existing sites and sanctioning access for projected new sites. The SERRC will therefore encourage its


Member Clubs and Events to develop relationships with the Port of London Authority, Environment Agency, the various Water Companies, the Royal Albert Dock Trust and other bodies as appropriate to ensure that the specific needs of their rowers are taken into account in these bodies’ Development Plans.

South East Coast Region The SERRC works successfully with the SERRC - Coast on Junior matters (“Juniors” are rowers below the age of 18). Both Regional Junior Commissioners work together on a joint programme including a selection day for the ARA’s national J16 (15 year old) sculling camp, a joint team for the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta each May and a Junior Under 15 League Competition. This excellent work has strengthened Junior rowing in both Regions and, as outlined elsewhere in this Plan, it is hoped that the partnership will continue. 6. PRIORITIES - BUILDING ON SUCCESS, FOCUSING

ON WHAT HAS WORKED, FURTHER INNOVATION The SERRC’s priorities are to:

• build the capacity of existing Clubs, by encouraging Member Clubs to: o provide suitable modern facilities for land training and social interaction

and equipment for target groups and existing members through appropriate partnerships where appropriate

o acquire security of tenure on their existing facilities wherever possible and applicable

o increase the uptake of training and education by coaches and volunteers and the fostering of Regional Coaching courses Regional pooling of coaching resources and coach mentoring.

o form lasting and mutually beneficial links with the local communities, schools and local Institutes of Higher Education.

• generate new clubs in new locations, by:

o working with partners to identify suitable locations and promoting rowing in areas which are not currently served by an inland water rowing club affiliated to the ARA within a reasonable distance.

o encouraging Member Clubs to second rowers and equipment to suitable locations to assist in the formation of new clubs.

• increase participation in rowing as a recreational activity by encouraging Member Clubs to:

o promote both indoor and touring rowing through appropriate partnerships where applicable.

o work with Local Health Authorities to promote the health benefits of rowing.


o promote the use of rowing machines in schools and Institutes of Higher Education.

• increase participation in rowing by minority groups, by encouraging Members Clubs to promote rowing to minority group, adaptive athletes, women, and older rowers of both sexes.

• increase competition in the Region, by encouraging Member Clubs and Events to:

o organise Private Matches and Regattas of appropriate level races in the Region

o organise Intra-regional races for Institutes of Higher Education

o increase the number of ARA Umpires in the Region by motivating their own members to train as Umpires.

• improve communication in the Region by:

o creating a Regional web presence

o Encouraging Member Clubs and Events to be fully aware of their partners and their partners Plans and that their partners are fully aware of the Plans of the Member Clubs and Events.

The SERRC acknowledges the excellent support it and its Members Clubs and Events have received from partners and believes that with the appropriate investment, its targets to develop rowing and make a significant contribution to the wider sporting agenda in the Region can be delivered


7. AIMS A. Building the Capacity of Existing Member Clubs

AIMS Actions Responsible PartyWhere appropriate endeavour to secure long-term

Clubhouse tenure for a minimum of 30 years. Clubs

Apply for and obtain appropriate accreditation schemes (e.g. Sport England Clubmark) Clubs

Clubs and Events should produce Forward Plans. Clubs/Events

A.1. To ensure the

continuance and growth of existing

Clubs Develop links with schools, Institutes of Higher Education and community groups where

appropriate Clubs/CDO

A.2a To Improve

strategic facilities in the Region.

Rowing is now a year-round sport. When training water cannot be used (an occurrence which

appears to be increasing), SERRC Member Clubs would benefit from the provision of additional

training facilities Strategically-sited rowing tanks would complement those at Poplar and the Docks

Clubs

Undertake modernisation of club premises, working with partners to obtain funding from

local, Regional and national sources. Clubs A.2b

To Improve facilities at existing

Clubs. Where current capacity levels have been reached

develop plans for expansion, working with partners to obtain funding from local, Regional

and national sources where required.

Clubs

Introduce Regional “Volunteers of the Year” awards and encourage Member Clubs and Events

to put forward appropriate nominations. SERRC Executive

Seek new volunteers to contribute to the work of Clubs, Events and the SERRC. Clubs/Events

SERRC Water Safety Adviser &

Coaching Commissioner

Produce an annual programme of volunteer education and training, including annual training

days for club Water Safety Advisers

Lobby the ARA to produce web-based tools for club administration. SERRC/Clubs

A.3 To support and recognise volunteer

input

Investigate County Sports Partnerships/Local Councils and their Volunteer Support Teams and

work with Local Volunteer Centres. Clubs/CDO

Develop and share Water Safety good practice. Clubs/Events A.4 Promote Water

Safety Obtain funding for RYA level II launch driving courses. Clubs/Events


Work with navigational authorities, the PLA and other bodies as appropriate to ensure safe practice

and the recognition of rowing’s needs. Clubs/Events

Produce, and obtain funding for, an annual programme of coach education courses and

seminars for the Region in line with demand. SERRC Coaching Commission/Clubs

Provide all courses up to Level 2 and support those coaches moving on to higher awards

SERRC Coaching Commission

Encourage and support those coaches within the Region wishing to become Tutors and Assessors

thus developing the Region’s pool of Coach Educators.


A.5 Promote Coach

Education. SERRC programmes will

support 200 active coaches

(out of 3500 nationally). Maintain a database of all coaches in the Region

and, in conjunction with scUK & CDOs, to use it to promote coach mentoring schemes


B. Increased participation in rowing as a recreational activity

AIMS Actions Responsible PartyAppoint a Recreational Commissioner to the Regional Executive The Commissioner will

represent the SERRC on the National Recreational Rowing Group.

SERRC Executive

SERRC Recreational

Commissioner

Organise a Regional Group to attend national recreational tours.

SERRC Recreational

Commissioner Organise a Regional tour in 2006.

Provide a web-based resource detailing all existing boating sites and suggested tours within

the Region.

SERRC Executive/ Recreational

Commissioner Support applications from Member Clubs for grants for boats and equipment suitable for

recreational rowing. SERRC Chairman

Provide daytime weekday facilities for recreational rowers who can use the facilities at

“off-peak” times. Clubs

Establish links with Local Health Authorities, Healthy Living Centres, and GP referral schemes,

to encourage rowing for health benefits. Clubs

B.1 Develop new

opportunities for recreational and touring rowing.

Encourage at least two existing Member Clubs to start recreational rowing groups by 2009.

SERRC Recreational

Commissioner


Encourage the continued running of the Regional indoor rowing championships. SERRC Executive

Work with schools and Local Education Authorities to facilitate the purchase and use of

indoor rowing machines by schools. Clubs

Create Junior indoor rowing leagues through club-school links etc. Clubs

Ensure Primary Health Care Trusts are aware of the health benefits of indoor rowing by providing

information as necessary. Clubs

B.2 Develop Indoor

Rowing within the Region.

Promote indoor rowing in local gyms, Fitness Centres and Health Centres and create indoor

leagues. Clubs

C. Promoting minority groups within the sport

AIMS Actions Responsible PartyOrganize training days specifically for Junior

crews and scullers. Clubs

& SERRC Junior Commission

Form more club-school links, particularly in areas where they do not currently exist. Clubs

Project Oarsome and Project Oarsome Xtra Clubs to link to additional schools. Clubs

Join accreditation schemes such as Sport England Clubmark. Clubs

Apply for Community Sports Coaches. Clubs Appoint Club Welfare Officers and undertake

appropriate water safety precautions. Clubs

Continue to organise the Junior Rowing (J15) League events, Regional Junior sculling camps,

and JIRC regatta selection and team in conjunction with the Coast Region

SERRC Junior Commission

Organize GO RACE Indoors in line with B.2 (above). Clubs/CDO

Encourage the use of Junior Rowing Leaders Awards in schools ensuring there are suitable

pathways for Award holders. Clubs

C.1 Increase young

people’s participation

Utilize the impact of the 2006 World Rowing Championships to increase participation Clubs


Provide representation on the SERRC from the

Institute of Higher Education (IHE) sector. IHE Clubs

Organize training days specifically for student crews and scullers. IHE Clubs

Join appropriate Accreditation Schemes where applicable. IHE Clubs

Organize and compete in Regional IHE events. IHE Clubs Link open Clubs with IHEs that do not currently

offer rowing. Open Clubs

Link IHE Member Clubs with schools and community groups to promote rowing IHE Clubs

C.2 Increase student

participation

Utilize the impact of the 2006 World Rowing Championships to increase participation IHE Clubs

Organize training days specifically for women crews and scullers. Clubs

Determine support for an IA course focusing on women coaches, SERRC Executive

Nominate women for Coach Educator courses Aim (A1.5)

SERRC Executive/ Clubs/CDO

Nominate women for Umpire training, Clubs/Events Nominate women for administrative and

volunteer roles within Clubs, Events and the Region.

SERRC Council Clubs/Events

Seek finance to run appropriate courses. SERRC Executive

C.3 Increase female

participation

Utilize the impact of the 2006 World Rowing Championships to increase participation Clubs

Organize training days specifically for Veteran crews and scullers. Clubs

Arrange and enter invitation races and open events for veteran rowers. Clubs

C.4 Increase older

people’s participation

Organize open days for older participants. Clubs Champion the London Regatta Centre as the country’s leading centre for adaptive rowing. SERRC Executive

C.5 Increase adaptive

people’s participation Create appropriate adaptive programmes. Clubs

C.6 Increase ethnic

minorities’ participation

Work with local community groups to promote rowing to ethnic minorities. Clubs


D. Competition

AIMS Actions Responsible PartyOrganise a series of short-course invitation races and regattas for beginners and less experienced

athletes Clubs

Seek all possible opportunities to maximize the impact of events in their local communities. Clubs/Events

D.1 Increase the number of appropriate

competitions for the type of rowing in

which the Region is engaged.

Lobby the ARA to provide further resources to support event organisers. SERRC/Events

Organize free seminars on Rules of Racing, Sharing the Water and Water Safety for potential

umpires and event marshals SERRC Umpires’

Commission

Nominate individuals for Umpire training Clubs/Events Liaise with Eastern Region to enable SERRC

trainee umpires to gain the required “on-the-job” experience at its events.

SERRC Umpires’ Commission

Examine the geographical distribution of all current Umpires to identify any resident in the

Region but affiliated to other Regions with a view to inviting them to join the SERRC Regional

Umpires Commission.


D.2 Increase the

number of Umpires in the Region to 8

by 2009.

Use the proposed new events and existing Head Races as training for new umpires.



E. Communication

AIMS Actions Responsible PartySERRC Executive

Clubs/ Events Promote the sport of rowing in the South East.

Lobby the ARA to provide support for volunteers streamline administration and reduce

bureaucracy. SERRC Executive

Clubs/Events

Develop a Regional web presence to aid communication between the SERRC and its

Members and between the Members themselves. SERRC Executive

Supply and maintain up-to-date email addresses for Officers and Coaches. Clubs/Events

Improve lines of communication

within the Region.

Recognize the achievements of volunteers through all available communication sources,

within the Region and the ARA SERRC Executive

Clubs/Events

F. Building new capacity – encouraging rowing in new areas

AIMS Actions Responsible PartyLiaise with Local Authorities and the owners of

suitable water facilities that do not currently have rowing clubs using them to encourage the use of suitable inland water to allow the sport to grow.

SERRC Executive/ CDO

Promote rowing in population centres

not currently serviced by an inland Rowing Club within a

reasonable distance.

Second coaches, rowers and equipment to help with the formation of new Clubs in areas which

are not currently served by existing clubs Clubs


APPENDICES Appendix 1

Membership Local Authority Clubs

Ardingly Rowing Club West Sussex CC and Mid Sussex DC

Bewl Bridge Rowing Club Kent CC and Tunbridge Wells DC

Canterbury Pilgrims Boat Club Kent CC and Canterbury CC.

Curlew Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Greenwich

Danson Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Bexley

Erith Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Bexley

Globe Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Greenwich

Gravesend Rowing Club Kent CC and Gravesham BC

Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club Kent CC and Maidstone BC

Medway Towns Rowing Club Medway UA

Poplar Blackwall & District Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Tower Hamlets

Royal Docks Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Newham

Spitfire Boat Club Kent CC and Thanet DC

The Company of Watermen Greater London Authority and City Of London Corporation

Institutes of Higher Education

University of East London Boat Club Greater London Authority and LB of Newham

University of Kent Rowing Club Kent CC and Canterbury DC

Schools

Bromley High School Rowing Club Greater London Authority and LB of Bromley

Eastbourne College Boat Club East Sussex CC and Eastbourne BC

Kent College Boat Club Kent CC and Canterbury CC

King’s School Canterbury Boat Club Kent CC and Canterbury CC

King’s School Rochester Boat Club Kent CC and Maidstone BC

Events - Long Distance Races

Docklands Small Boats Head Greater London Authority and LB of Newham

Greenwich Fours Head of the River Greater London Authority and LB of Greenwich

Maidstone Scullers Head Kent CC and Maidstone BC

Maidstone Small Boats Head Kent CC and Maidstone BC

Medway Fours Head of the River Kent CC and Maidstone BC

Events - Regattas

London Docklands Regatta Greater London Authority and LB of Newham

Poplar Regatta Greater London Authority and LB of Newham


Appendix 2 Success in the Region in the last 4 years

• Globe RC and Maidstone Invicta RC have completed Clubmark and a further three Clubs will complete by the end of 2005.

• Coaches in the Region selected to receive Kent Sports Development Unit scholarship funding in 2004/5.

• Eight Clubs in the Region are following the Amateur Rowing Association National Junior Rowing Programme (NJRP).

• Ardingly RC, Maidstone Invicta RC and Royal Docks RC are part of the ARA’s national Project Oarsome junior rowing scheme.

• Globe RC has been accepted onto the Project Oarsome Xtra project for older juniors.

• Over 120 active coaches in the Region. • The Regional team finished 6th in the National Junior Inter-regional Regatta. • Rowing selected as a priority sport by the Sussex Sports Partnership.

Appendix 3 Specific Partnership areas The following list outlines specific development opportunities that are likely to arise over the next four years. The SERRC will assist the ARA’s professional development staff in promoting rowing in the following areas: Sevenoaks Work with the District Council, Sport England, local water

owners and current water users to allow rowing to take place on suitable water in this area so a new club can be established.

Ashford The town has been earmarked for significant expansion in the next 20 years and the local man-made lakes will offer the opportunity for rowing to be developed for its expanding population.

Canterbury There are long-term Plans for a new reservoir in the Canterbury area. The Region will watch for developments and ensure that the Plans take the needs of rowing into account.

Eastbourne Eastbourne Rowing Club and Eastbourne College are both looking to develop inland rowing opportunities. Although Eastbourne RC is not in the SERRC, the Region will offer assistance where required in partnership with the coastal Region SECRRC.

Rye Hastings & St Leonards RC now provides inland rowing on the River Rother at Rye, under permission from the Environment Agency. Although the Club is not in the SERRC, the region will offer assistance where required in partnership with the SECRRC.

Thames Gateway The Northern Region of Kent is earmarked for considerable development over the next two decades along with a considerable increase in population. The SERRC will help ARA affiliated Clubs at Rochester/Strood, Gravesend and - if created - on the Isle of Sheppey to develop Plans to meet that demand.

East London

The SERRC will work with local councils to help the establishment of a rowing centre at Surrey Quays in London and


with the London Youth Rowing charity and its work to help promote rowing in East London.

Kent Sport Development

The SERRC will work with the Local Education Authority and the County Sports Development Unit to establish regular taster days for pupils promoting rowing and Indoor Rowing in schools in Kent using existing facilities at Maidstone Rowing Centre and other suitable Clubs with interested pupils being passed back to their local Clubs.

Other Partners The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has begun to recognise the benefit of sport in development in the Region and the SERRC will ensure that SEEDA is aware of the SERRC and its Forward Plan. Similarly, the health authorities have increasingly become to recognise the health benefits of sport and are prescribing exercise where appropriate. The ARA is working to promote rowing with the health authorities on a national basis and the SERRC will encourage its Member Clubs in the Region to work with their Local Health Authorities. Partnerships are crucial to the Region’s success and will be at the centre of its strategy, at Regional, and local level. Our Current partners include Sport England, the Amateur Rowing Association, County Councils, Local Councils, the South East (Coast) Regional Rowing Council (SECRRC), Local Network Funds, Local businesses, the East Kent Health Promotion Unit, Local Sports Council’s, County Sports Partnerships, and SEEDA. .


Appendix 4 Plan items requiring funds to be raised through the SERRC

Item Cost per year Rationale Funding of one Tutor and one Assessor each

per year

£150 and £200 per course =

£350

1. Improve access to structured dry rowing tuition 2. Enable CSLA to become involved in sport of

rowing through partner schools 3. Provide development opportunities for Members

and ensure long term development of the SERRC Funding for one

Umpires training day per

year on:- The

Rules of racing

£350 1. Encourage more candidates to take up umpiring by providing training opportunities within the Region

2. Improve levels of skills of race Marshall within the Region so they gain experience with a view to more of them becoming Umpires.

3. Provide development opportunities for Members and ensure long term development of the SERRC

Funding for one Umpires

training day per year on:-

First Aid Safety and CPR for race officials

£350 1. Encourage more candidates to take up umpiring by providing training opportunities within the Region



Funding for one Umpires

training day per year on:-

Sharing the Water.

£350

1. Encourage more candidates to take up umpiring by providing training opportunities within the Region



Part-funding of Instructors Coaching

Award x 12 per year

£50 per person = £600

1. Improve levels of coaching within the Region 2. Provide development opportunities for all Members

of all Clubs regardless of income 3. Provide development opportunities for Members

and ensure long term development of the SERRC Part-funding of

Bronze Coaching

Award x 3 per year


1. Improve levels of coaching within the Region 2. Provide development opportunities for all

Members of all ages/abilities with access to good quality coaching

3. Provide development opportunities for Members and ensure long term dev. of the SERRC

Part-funding of RYA Level 2

Powerboat course. 6 per yr


1. Maintain/improve levels of safety within the Region



Appendix 5 Priority facilities needed by Member Clubs in the Region Erith Rowing Club (Erith Riverside and Danson Park Lake)

Bexley Council, the Club’s landlord, intends redeveloping the site of the Club’s leased premises as part of the redevelopment plans for the Erith Western Gateway. It is the Council’s intention to rehouse the Club in a Community Pavilion to be built as “planning gain” by the redevelopers but it is not yet known when the premises will be available for the Club. In the meantime:

• The Club is likely to lose its boat storage facility at the end of 2005 and is in urgent need of alternative storage.

• The Club will lose its current Clubhouse at some indeterminate time in the next 5 years with no indication as to whether the time frame for the erection of the Community Pavilion will coincide with the Club having to leave the current premises

• The Club’s access to the river is severely limited and needs improvement. • The Club also uses Danson Park Lake where there is a need for improved

boat storage for the limited number of boats that are kept there. The Club is actively pursuing the situations with its landlords the LB of Bexley and the SERRC fully supports the Club’s efforts to secure the future of the Club and rowing in Erith and at Danson Park.

Globe and Curlew Rowing Clubs (by River Thames - Crane Street Greenwich) Both Clubs use jointly the facilities and Clubhouse of the Trafalgar Rowing Centre which is leased from Greenwich Council by the Trafalgar Trust. Due to a long legal disagreement repairs to the roof and building of the Trafalgar rowing Centre have been left for many years and the building is now in dire need urgent repairs to keep it in working order. Erosion of the foreshore is making access to the water hazardous and there is a need to construct a concrete slipway to maintain and improve access. The SERRC fully supports the Clubs’ efforts to source funding to undertake these much needed works.

Medway Towns Rowing Club (River Medway at Rochester)

The Club has a permanent slipway license for the land it occupies (originally issued for reclaimed river and marsh land in 1942). Although the Club has gained planning consent, there are difficulties with the Medway Ports Authority, who are withholding agreement, demanding that the Club surrenders the permanent license and signs a new commercial lease for a much smaller area, before they will allow the Club to rebuild or develop the buildings. The loss of the license would significantly weaken the Club’s security of tenure and might threaten the long term availability of the site for rowing as more commercial forces and rent reviews could then be brought in to play by the Ports Authority. Meanwhile the Club is prevented from redeveloping or growing its facilities (for which it has funds in hand). The SERRC fully supports the Club’s bids to develop and modernize its facilities and will support the Club to protect its long-term interests.


Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club (Maidstone Rowing Centre on River Medway @ Maidstone) As well as MIRC, Maidstone Rowing Centre is used by 2 linked schools, a linked College and the Army Rowing Club all of whom use the premises. The buildings used by the Clubs are pre-WWII. Two of the three wooden buildings are in a dilapidated state and in need of major repairs and the site is without many modern facilities. The Centre’s changing facilities and boat storage are in particular need of modernization and renewal. Maidstone Invicta RC has grown significantly and is now one of the largest clubs in the region. Although it has obtained a 199 year lease the purchase of the lease plus the demands of continuous growth has left it with limited funds to undertake any major building works. The SERRC fully supports the Club’s bids to develop and modernize its facilities and the sourcing of funds to do so.

Danson Rowing Club. (Danson Park Lake LB of Bexley). The Club uses Danson Park Lake where there is a need for improved boat storage. The SERRC fully supports the Club’s bids to improve its facilities and the sourcing of funds to do so. .

Ardingly Rowing Club. (Ardingly Reservoir, West Sussex) The Club’s use of Ardingly Reservoir is limited by the local council’s severe planning constraints on boating and competitions on the reservoir. The SERRC fully supports the Club in seeking from the local council a relaxation in planning constraints to allow limited matches between clubs to be held.

Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995 and facilities for the Adaptive Rowers in Clubs. Many Clubs will need to enhance their premises in order to meet their obligations under the DDA. The SERRC will support all Member Clubs and Events seeking to meet their obligations under the Act and to support adaptive rowing. It will support all Clubs’ seeking grants and funds to improve their facilities in line with the requirements of the DDA.


South East Regional Rowing Council Forward Plan 2005-2009

Documents

Transcript of South East Regional Rowing Council Forward Plan 2005-2009