Inspire a generation!

Wow!

What a week we had for Olympic rowing, 9 medals - what a haul! Here are some good sites to check out to catch up on the results: http://www.london2012.com/rowing/ or http://www.britishrowing.org/gb-rowing-team

I was lucky enough to go to Dorney on the Friday and Saturday, the atmosphere was electric!

This is a great time to recruit new members in to your rowing clubs, 'strike while the iron is hot' so to speak and sign people up!

Here are some top tips for clubs:

1.    Make sure your information is up to date

Don’t miss out on people interested in joining your club just because they can’t get hold of you.  Double check that the contact details you publicise are up-to-date and there is someone to answer the enquiries.  Are your club details on the British Rowing Club-finder up-to-date?  Right now we’re seeing thousands of people using this everyday so it’s a great way to promote your club.  If you need to update Club-finder please email sarah.leys@britishrowing.org

2.    Use taster sessions

If you’re flooded with demand then use taster sessions as a way to filter those participants who just want to try rowing once from those who might complete a whole learn to row course and join the club.  A simple taster session can give people the chance to try rowing and see if it’s for them.

3.    Make it easy for everyone

Making it clear what the dates of a course are and what the commitment will be makes it easier for people – some may decide they’d rather help our as volunteers.  Shorter courses (up to six weeks) are probably best as a first introduction to rowing.  If you are running any taster sessions fix some dates now so that you can tell people the dates and sign them up immediately.

4.    Keep records

Even if you can’t cater for everyone straight away (or someone can’t make the dates you have        organised), keep records of applicants details and develop a waiting list.  Keep in touch with them from time to time and let them know when the next opportunities to try rowing will be.

5.    Shout if you need help

Please keep the team at British Rowing up-to-date with how things are going at your club.  Your first port of call should be your Regional Team Leader. This is me! Rhiannon.halliday@britishrowing.org 07818576145. We will try and support you in every way we can and help you through these exciting times for the sport.

Coach Education Calendar 2012-13!

Part of my current role is to organise courses and workshops to 'upskill' coaches and volunteers. We have just set the calendar for 2012-13.

LEVEL 2 COACHING COURSES
These usually last 2 full weekends and 2 evenings, the course is a UKCC Level 2 in either sliding, or fixed seat rowing. The full cost is £350. The aim of the course is to educate rowing coaches on how to plan, do & review sequential training sessions.

WORKSHOPS
There are a variety of workshops we can run:

Safeguarding & Protecting Children - led by Pat Dollard, this is a requirement of clubmark and aims to educate rowing coaches and volunteers on best practise.

Time to listen - This is a step on from SPC and aimed at club welfare officers.

Rigging - a 3 hour workshop aimed to educate coaches on the basics of rigging!

First Aid - a 4 hour workshop this has been developed with rowers in mind and has been very popular! Tutored by Pat Dollard this includes CPR.

UKCC Level 2 Coaching Course - £350….12 spaces on each
Venue	Date	Deadline
Fowey (Fixed seat)	27/28/31/Oct  7/10/11 Nov	10th September
North Devon – Appledore (Fixed seat)	23/ 24 / 27 Feb  6/9/10  March	7th January
Exeter – Sliding seat	6/7/10/17/20/21 April	18th February

Workshops  £18 for British Rowing members, £33 non British Rowing members
Workshop	Venue	Date	Deadline
Rigging	Mount Batten Centre	23rd September 2-5pm	20th August
Emergency 1st aid £30	Fowey	28th October 9am-1pm	20th October
Safeguarding and Protecting children	Fowey	31st October 6.30-9.30pm	24th September
Safeguarding and Protecting children	Ivybridge Community College	7th November 6.30-9.30pm	1st October
GB Rowing Technique	Ivybridge Community College	4th December	26th October
Time to Listen	Ivybridge Community College	16th January 6.30-9.30pm	1st December
Safeguarding and protecting children	Appledore	27th February 6.30-9.30pm	14th January

Please contact me on rhiannon.halliday@britishrowing.org 07818576145 for more info and application forms.