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To get your news &
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News Archive:
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24 December |
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Death of
Ian Stanners: it is with sadness that we have to report
the death yesterday (Tuesday) of Ian Stanners of Clyde Masters.
He had been taken into hospital last week suffering from pneumonia.
With his pairs partner Gordon Day, Ian enjoyed one of the most
durably successful competitive careers in Scottish rowing. My recollection
is that the duo's last major honours were a win in Vet G2- and a
2nd in Vet G2x at the World Masters Regatta in Racice in 2002.
Ian also put his energy behind projects targeted at the future
of Scottish rowing: he acted as Quantity Surveyor to the project
to build the National Rowing Academy, through his company Wilkinson
and Lowe.
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.
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22 December |
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Merr-E-Christmas!:
lot's of news items today before everybody heads off to forsake
their vows to 'make lightweight this season'. A very Merry Christmas
to all the users of the SARA web page.
Strathclyde Park closed for rowing: due to the
construction work to widen Strathclyde Park from 6 to 8 lanes in
preparation for the 2005 Masters (and other future major international
events), the loch is closed for rowing from now until (provisionally)
end February. Regular users will note that the closure has been
cunningly timed to coincide with the time of the annual 'big freeze'
anyway, so hopefully the number of real lost rowing days will be
minimised.
Junior Trial goes north: as a result of the Park
closure, national coach John McArthur proposes to move the junior
trial scheduled at Strathclyde Park on 21 February to occur one
week earlier within the Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head on
Saturday 14th February. John asks any registered junior coach who
believes this change would be inappropriate to e-mail
him
SARA Indoor Rowing Championships: the venue for
the Indoor Championships on 24th January is now confirmed as Dalziel
High School in Motherwell (c 200 metres past the entrance to Strathclyde
Park, up the hill into Motherwell). There are event classes from
J10 to Age 90+ (!!!!) for both men and women, openweight and lightweight
(<75kg men, <61.5kg women). The poster
and entry form
are now available for download.
SARA secretary's news column: "First of all,
on behalf of the SARA Executive, may I pass on best wishes to
you and your club members and families for the Festive Season. A
few bits 'n' pieces to keep you up-to-date:
1. Please note for your records (and Christmas
cards list(!)) two changes of club secretaries:
Castle Semple - Duncan Walker, Holmhurst, Hazelwood Road, Bridge
of Weir, Renfrewshire, PA11 3DJ Email: holmhurst@btinternet.com
Glasgow Rowing Club - Stephen J. Goldie , Flat 2/2, 7 Merrick
Gardens, Glasgow, G51 2LF. Email: Stephen_goldie@hotmail.com Tel:
0141 427 2018 Mobile: 07711 354288
2. A wee job for the winter perhaps....... a reminder
that club-coloured blades should be used at regattas
and under no circumstances should Scotland blades be used outwith
competing for Scotland. Anyone who still has their blades with
a saltire - well they should be back in club colours by now.
3. Peter Morrison has volunteered to take on the responsibility
as the Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer
for the SARA. As you know the proposed Policy was presented to
the AGM last month for clubs to review and return feedback with
the intention of ratification at the Half-Yearly meeting - to
date no feedback has been received. The policy will be on the
agenda for the Half-Yearly Meeting in March for full ratification
as it is required that we have a policy in place. Any comments
on the policy please to Peter Morrison Pgmorrison@aol.com
4. Scottish Rowing Awards Dinner - volunteers
are requested to organise and run the 2003 Awards Dinner. Locations
suggested - Dumfries, Stirling, Glasgow and Inverness. This is
an ideal opportunity to become involved in a great event and have
some fun in the process. So if you fancy it, or indeed fancy getting
a small team together to take it on then please get in touch.
Bottom line is that we need some volunteers to run it or it won't
run I'm afraid.
5. SARA Executive members visits to clubs -
I repeat the offer made several times last season and repeated
at the AGM that Exec members are willing to arrange to come along
to your club committee meeting and discuss SARA issues and indeed
any other issues that we may be able to help with.
6. Bob Neil is the volunteer coordinator for
anyone who wishes to help out and have a great time in
the FISA World Masters Regatta (the biggest regatta in
the world!) which we are running at Strathclyde Park in September
2005. We need some 250 helpers - so get your name to Bob rhcn@george-heriots.com
- there are so many varieties of jobs - there is one for everyone's
taste! Don't forget that Scotland will also host the 2006 Commonwealth
Rowing Championships at Strathclyde Park so now is the time to
get involved.
7. Having a great time in the sport? Not racing
too much? Not coaching too much? Wee bit of time to put something
back into the sport and have some fun at the same time? Then how
about getting in touch with Sandy Walker and find out how to become
an umpire and see the racing from a different angle. We're always
on the lookout for new umpires - there's no harm in finding out
what is involved, is there? Sandy is at walkes@sculler.fsnet.co.uk
8. Artistic? Any good at drawing cartoons? If
so, the Rowing Action team would like to talk to you as they are
really keen on having a few cartoons in this terrific magazine
of ours - which just keeps getting better and better with each
edition. Please drop Ailie Ord a line on ailie.ord@blueyonder.co.uk."
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14 December |
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Glasgow Fours
Head washed out again: try as they might to reschedule,
the weather really had it in for Glasgow this year. All credit to
the club for getting the cancellation decision out to clubs on the
Friday afternoon (and apologies that I did not see my copy of that
e-mail in time to put it up here).
Scots on parade at GB distance trials: Gavin Shaw
finished 3rd in U23 lightweight at Saturday's long distance single
sculls trial at Boston, with other Scots racing also. Full results
of the Heavyweight men's and women's race and the Lightweight men's
and women's race are on the Boston
Rowing Club web site.
SARA Indoor Rowing Championships: the event date
is confirmed as 24th January with the provisional location at Dalzeil
High School (nr Strathclyde Park). Full details and entry forms
shortly.
SARA Trials news: 17 pairs and 23 scullers turned
out for the SARA junior selection trial on 6 December - and were
rewarded with perfect conditions at Strathclyde Park. Results go
to the coaches - in which regard team manager Gary
Bain is missing e-mail addresses for the junior coaches from
Glasgow Schools, Strathclyde Park, Stirling and Loch Lomond.
Also there is an updated version of the SARA
Senior Selection Policy (small corrections like the change of
HIR venue to Nottingham!)
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4 December |
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Oh, so cynical!
Certain cynics have been heard to suggest that Glasgow
RC will be 'trousering' the entry fees from their postponed Fours
Head - AND gleefully accepting a whole new set of entry fees for
the rescheduled event on Saturday 13th November. Race secretary
Bob Reid has asked me to point out that GRC's e-mail round the clubs
at the time of the postponement did say that the entry cheques were
being destroyed. So the discounted entry fees (see GRC
site for details) for the rescheduled race really are the only
payments competitors will make.
Another gong for Grainger: this year's season
of sports awards should be a bumper one for Katherine Grainger.
Last weekend saw St Andrew BC's 'silver lady' and Cath Bishop (World
Champions in the coxless pair) collect the Sunday Times 'Sportswomen
of the Year' team prize last Sunday. As local and national polls
for 'sports personalities' are launched, don't forget to nominate
and then vote for members of the rowing community.
What should a Development Officer's priorities be?
SARA's first development officer left his post at the end of November.
Looking ahead, National Rowing Academy director Iain
Somerside here invites input from clubs and individuals as the
sport plans and prioritises the role of the post for the future.
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1 December |
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Weather plays
havoc with fixtures: both the Glasgow Fours Head in Scotland
and the Scullers' Head in London fell foul of the weather on Saturday.
Glasgow Rowing Club have moved quickly to reschedule their event
for Saturday 13th December - full details on the GRC
web site, but note that some events are not being offered in
the rescheduled event.
Kirsty is Myles better: well, 17 seconds actually
(which in a trial is almost as good as!). Belated congratulations
to George Watson's College sculler Kirsty Myles who romped home
first in the GB junior long distance trial at Boston a couple of
weeks ago. This really sets Kirsty up well in this year's selection
race - and has earned her a place on the World Class camp at Sarnen
in Switzerland later in December.
Scottish Junior Trial this Saturday: there is
a combined trial this Saturday for selection for both HIR 2004 and
for the new Scottish Junior
Elite Squad. The format and information for triallists/coaches
are as follows:
- Trial format 2 x 2000m. All athletes must trial in 1x or 2-.
- Registration will be at 10am, please remember to bring completed
registration forms found in the junior
selection policy.
- Timetable will then be as follows;
10.30 Athlete/coaches briefing
11.00 Junior men
11.45 Junior women
12.30 Junior men
13.15 Junior women
14.00 Coaches meeting
Any athletes/clubs wishing to use any of the SARA pairs for the
trial should notify Gary Bain at garyabain@hotmail.com |
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25 November |
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University
Winter League
points after one event |
| Glasgow University |
132 |
| Strathclyde University |
128 |
| Aberdeen University |
124 |
| Dundee University |
104 |
| Edinburgh University |
95 |
| St Andrews University |
93 |
| Robert Gordon University |
66 |
| Heriot Watt University |
1 |
Glasgow Fours Head: the start orders are now up for
Division 1 and Division
2 - and with healthy entries in both the usual advice about boating
early to get to the start in good time applies. Crews wishing to boat
from the Glasgow University steps MUST contact Glasgow Uni BC captain
Andy Dickie before
Friday: in view of congestion, the club will be allocating 'boating
times' for each crew.
Home Uni leads going into Glasgow Fours Head:
the rankings after the first round of the Universities Winter League
at Inverness are on the right. With two Glasgow universities leading
going into their 'home' race, they'll be expecting to build on that
advantage this weekend. No big surprise to see Aberdeen 3rd, but
encouraging to see Dundee in 4th.
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21 November |
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Scotland
Junior Selection Policy: as promised, here is the selection
policy for the Scotland Junior Team for the Home International Regatta
in 2004. Obviously it needs to be read in full, but the most obvious
immediate priority is that all athletes, coxes and coaches must
register before 6th December.
SARA/sportscotland Junior Elite Squad: another
example of progressive partnership between SARA and Sportscotland
is now ready for launch. The junior elite squad will provide high
performance coaching for both athletes and club coaches, structured
access to specialist resources such as physiotherapy, and financial
assistance with costs of attending these events and also the GB
junior trials. If you aspire to GB junior selection, or if you coach
athletes with these aspirations, you really need to read the introductory
document and note the registration requirement
Changes to Home International 2004: at a meeting
last weekend, Wales 'swapped dates' with England with the result
that the Home International Regatta in 2004 will now be at Holme
Pierrepont (Nottingham) with 2005 going to Wales. There is also
a change to the senior events to be contested: in line with a proposal
which Scotland supported, the lightweight coxless four is discontinued
and gives way to a lightweight coxless pair and a lightweight double
scull. The effect of the change is to 'even up' the opportunity
for numbers of scullers and sweepers in the teams.
Revised results from Inverness Fours Head: I understand
some readers have had problems accessing the revised results. These
have been uploaded again -
if you still don't get the right file it may be that your browser
is displaying from cache rather than downloading from the server.
Try a 'force refresh' (shift+refresh).
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16 November |
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Glasgow University BC racing
to their win in Men's Open 4+ at Inverness yesterday. |
Perfect conditions bless Aberdeen Asset Inverness Fours
Head: sunshine and a gentle tailwind made for fast going
at the Inverness Fours Head. Glasgow University (pictured) scored
a double, winning both M O 4+ and M R1 4+.
In women's coxed fours it was Edinburgh University whose crew (Sturt)
recorded the fastest times in each division (R2 and R1 events respectively).
Full results (now corrected)
are here - and it's confirmed that the times shown for veterans
are 'net' after application of handicaps. A good turnout all round,
with the fours' racing supplemented by lots of small boats racing
for times.
Next up, Glasgow Fours Head! The poster is now
up for Glasgow Fours Head
on the 29th November, with a link to an entry form on Glasgow RC's
own web site.
National Junior Selection and Development Strategy:
following the publication of the Scotland senior team selection
policy, the junior team strategy is due for publication shortly.
This will coincide with the publication of the details of a development
initiative, the Scottish Junior Elite Squad, to be funded by sportscotland
through their Junior Development Group Programme. This will be a
small squad fully supported within their clubs who have aspirations
to row for the GB junior team. This important new project will be
led by the National Coach, John McArthur, who will work with the
individual athletes and coaches, coordinating their training and
racing programmes to ensure that the athletes are fully prepared
for the rigours of GB junior selection. The minimum age for consideration
will be those juniors who are J15 next season. |
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10 November |
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Grainger
honoured at Glasgow Sports Personality Awards: rowing's
Glasgow-born world champion Katherine Grainger won the Lord Provost's
Award at the weekend's Glasgow Sports Personality event. Katherine
was unable to be present, but SARA president Mary Massaro accepted
the trophy (not to mention a bottle of champagne) on her behalf.
Small boats battered, but Aberdeen Heads a success: conditions
for Sunday's small boats head in Aberdeen were distinctly blustery,
but both this and the preceding day's fours head went off well (record
entry on the Sunday). Full
results of both days' racing on the Committee of the Dee web
site.
Rowing Action wants your news: the next edition
of the Scottish Rowing magazine, Rowing Action, is due out shortly.
Ailie Ord would
welcome articles, photos, letters, etc before the end of this week.
Your competition plan for next year: I hope to
have the full Scottish regatta calendar for next year up tomorrow.
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22 October |
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Tayforth
Boat Race this Saturday: Dundee University look to avenge
last year's defeat at the hands of Stirling University in this year's
event on the Forth t Stirling Rowing Club, this Saturday, 25th October
from 1.30pm. The race (and probably many of the competitors) is
fuelled by SUBWAY, the sarnie kings. The universities and Stirling
Rowing Club will be welcoming guests from anywhere in the Scottish
rowing community for the racing and to enjoy the excellent social
facilities of Stirling RC. Check the event
web site - do they REALLY have a 6ft SUBWAY as a raffle prize?!
Boat transport on dark winter days: the time is
upon us when most of our boat-hauling is in the dark. Anybody responsible
for loading or towing trailers would be well advised to read the
ARA's excellent
guide on the subject. There's a particularly important section
on permitted 'overhang' distances (for both trailers and car-top
loads) and on requirements for the marking/lighting of these overhanging
loads.
There's not much worse than arriving late at a 'head' or trial
because you were getting a lecture from the Police on the hard shoulder
- or worse, having somebody smash into an overhanging boat and then
find you insurance claim is invalid because the overhang wasn't
properly marked. The reading time is a good investment.
Scotland selection policy - a chance to 'stick your oar
in': Scotland team manager Gary
Bain is currently reviewing selection policy and would welcome
input/comment on organisational or policy aspects from anyone who
has participated as a triallist or coach in the past. The 2004 policy
is due to be presented at the SARA AGM, so prompt responses to Gary
would be greatly appreciated.
GB Long Distance Trial Results: results from last
weekends open and lightweight trials (men and women) at Boston are
now up on the host
club's web site: good to see a healthy number of Scots performing.
Last Chance Saloon: we're fast coming up to deadlines
for applications for the Junior 16 Sculling Course (must reach Callum
Macdonald by this Saturday) and also for the next RIC coaching
course (must reach Callum by 30th October).
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16 October |
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Strathclyde
Park Head results: the weather was kind to SPRC for their
inaugural Head last Saturday. Results for Division
1 and Division 2.
Somebody left with more than their entry fee entitled them
to! A pair of sweep oars from the SARA fleet went missing
over the weekend - presumably removed by accident by one of the
clubs competing in the Head or training at the Park. Callum
Macdonald would be grateful if all who were at the Park at the
weekend could check they haven't come away with a 'bonus' pair of
blades - and e-mail him to make arrangements for return if you find
you have.
Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Heads: full details
of these (Sat 8th and Sun 9th November respectively) are now up
on the Committee
of the Dee web site. Added attraction this year is the opportunity
to develop a really good hangover on the Saturday night at the Aberdeen
Rowing Clubs Ball at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference
Centre. Good excuse to race both days and night-stop for the apres-row.
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25 September |
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Last call
for papers/proposals/questions for the SARA AGM: check
this formal notice of the AGM
- the bottom line is that clubs have until 2nd October to notify
AGM business to the SARA secretary, Paul
Mackie. This is also a reminder to the clubs to make sure they
are fully represented at the AGM - as Paul puts it "the association
is the clubs".
Scotland appoints new team manager: Tom Baker
decided not to continue as team manager and the SARA Exec has announced
that Gary Bain has been appointed team manager with John Langley
as assistant team manager. Congratulations to them - and thanks
to Tom for his work this year.
Masters and Commonwealths at Strathclyde Park:
it has been pointed out that the Commonwealth Rowing Championships
to be held at the Park in 2006 will fall in the 125th anniversary
year of the SARA. Anyone for a ceilidh?
Meanwhile SARA is already starting to gather names of volunteers
to help with the organisation and delivery of the FISA Masters Regatta
at the Park in 2005. Believe it or not, it will take about 250 volunteers
to run the regatta - if you would like to be one of them, drop a
line to Paul Mackie.
sportscoach UK seminars: Callum
Macdonald (SARA development officer) offers this report
on some valuable generic coaching workshops, and also has brochures
on courses offered for the rest of the year by local sport councils
in conjunction with sportscotland. Contact Callum for more details
. . .
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10 September |
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Scots "Misses"
lead the way at the Masters: thanks to Alison Hulme of
St Andrew for this report from last weekend's FISA World Masters
Regatta at Vichy.
"Friday saw no wins for Scottish competitors - some very good
second and third places though. Saturday got off to a better start:
Janeen Collier (GWC), Hazel Smith (IRC), Lesley Stewart (SABC) and
Ailie Ord (CARC) won in WC8+ in a composite crew with a couple of
London clubs. This was followed by Scottish wins in the WB4+ for
Janeen Collier (GWC), Ailie Ord (CARC), Alison Hulme (SABC) and
Lesley Stewart (SABC) then WB4- for Janeen Collier (GWC), Ailie
Ord (CARC), Alison Hulme (SABC) and Hazel Smith (IRC). The WB4-
was only an hour and 20 mins after the WB4+ and was the third/fourth
race of the day for each of the crew members, so there were some
tired legs in that!
Saturday was rounded off by a superb club win in WC2x for Suzanne
Hunter (IRC) and Mandy Towrie (IRC) against some very tough opposition.
They also racked up the fastest time of all six heats in this event.
Sunday: Mixed races (always fun!) and a chance for truly international
crews to get together. Wins in MixC8+ for Ailie Ord (CARC) in a
Scottish/English/Croatian composite and in MixB8+ for Alison Hulme
(SABC) in a Scottish/USA/Brazilian composite with an Irish cox!" |
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9 September |
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Rigging training
at the National Rowing Academy: SARA development officer
Callum Macdonald is running rigging training sessions this Saturday
and next Wednesday - full details here.
The scope covers pretty much everything from the basics to the opportunity
to get answers to those really awkward questions that you may have
encountered whilst setting up your own or your club's boats. E-mail
or phone Callum to let him know you will be attending.
Getting the most from your session in the rowing tank:
Callum Macdonald is running a series of (free) sessions to pass
on 'the knowledge' to club coaches on how to operate the National
Rowing Academy's rowing tank and how to get greatest benefit for
athletes from your sessions. Full
details and dates are here. From 1st October, any coach wanting
to book the tank must either hold (at least) an RIC qualification
or have attended one of these rowing tank training sessions (in
reality, even more experienced coaches could benefit from the training
session). Each session lasts 2 hours and there are a choice of 4
dates in September and October.
Important stuff worth reading! Callum Macdonald
has produced this report
on a whole range of topics to do with his own role and with facilities/arrangements
for booking them at the National Rowing Academy and Strathclyde
Park. Whatever your involvement in the sport, there's probably something
in his report of relevance to you, so well worth a read.
Blade bonanza: George Watson's College have a
whole bunch of blades for sale - check the Sales
& Wants page for details. |
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7 September |
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FISA World
Masters results: there's a very full results
listing from Vichy on line - unfortunately I don't know who
entered what from Scotland and with every one of the 400+ races
being a 'final', it's simply too much to research from scratch.
If you do know what your mates were entered in, however, you'll
quickly see their results. Photos welcome as the bold heroes return
in coming days!
News of the next SARA Rowing Instructor Course:
this will be held on 5, 11, 12 and 26 October. Full details are
on the poster, and the application
form is also here. Further details if required from Scottish
Rowing development officer, Callum
Macdonald
GB Senior and Under 23 trials for 2004: (what
already?). Yup, the first GB long distance trial is at Boston on
18th October, and all candidates must be registered with BIRO by
8th October. All intending triallists from Scotland are also asked
to notify their intentions to Scotland's national coach, John
McArthur - especially if they hope to train with him at the
National Rowing Academy.
More course news tomorrow . . . Callum is also
organising Rowing Tank Training Sessions and sessions on the 'Dark
Art or Rigging'. Details on those will be here tomorrow.
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Congratulations
to . . . who? This charming addition (photo, left) to Scottish
Rowing's 'junior' community recently made her debut. But who are
the proud Mum and Dad (note, themselves reasonably weel kent faces
on the Scottish Rowing scene!). Answer on the web site tomorrow
. . .