Scottish Rowing secures funding for third cohort of Coaching Futures programme
Posted: 12 August 2020
Rowing is one of nine Scottish sports which will benefit from the Coaching Futures programme after Scottish Rowing secured investment from sportscotland for the successful performance athlete to coach apprenticeship programme.
The programme aims to utilise the experience of performance athletes and create opportunities for them to transition into coaching roles. The two year, full-time, apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ by focusing on the development of coaching practice. The apprentice coach will benefit from a comprehensive personal development plan and support from experienced coaches and qualified coach developers.
Read more: Scottish Rowing secures funding for third cohort of Coaching Futures programme
From the Tay to Australia: Coaching with Gippsland Grammar
Posted: 3 August 2020
Written by Dundee University Boat Club alumna Eleanor Brinkoff
"As the end of final year loomed and fellow 4th years were scrambling to find post grad schemes, jobs and masters I realised that whilst I didn’t have any plans for after graduation, I knew that I wasn’t too keen on entering the real world just yet. A gap year job coaching rowing 10,000 miles away seemed like an ideal way to prolong freedom and the perfect chance to recharge after 4 years of university. Fast-forward 4 months; I had a degree under my belt and whilst walking down the Henley-on-Themes tow path I got the call to say I had the job! After a quick month of goodbyes and celebrations, I boarded a flight destined for Melbourne - 40 jet lagged hours later I arrived in Sale, my home for the next year.
Read more: From the Tay to Australia: Coaching with Gippsland Grammar
Collective statement on Scottish Government review of lockdown: Thursday 30 July 2020
Posted: 3 August, 2020
Following a formal communication sent to the First Minister on the morning of 30th July 2020 from 32 individual Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGB), the SGB CEO Forum welcomes the recognition by the First Minister of the requirement to move forward the re-opening of sports facilities.
Read more: Collective statement on Scottish Government review of lockdown: Thursday 30 July 2020
COVID-19 Route Map – Phase 3 Guidance for Rowing
COVID-19 Route Map – Phase 3 Guidance for Rowing V2 Published 31st July 2020
Following the First Minister’s statement on Thursday 30th July, Scottish Rowing is pleased to publish updated guidance for rowing during Phase 3 of the COVID-19 Route Map. This guidance is effective from 31st July and is available here: https://bit.ly/2Pappa7.
The key changes are as follows:
- Coaching: From 3rd August, sports coaches can meet with more than four households in a single day. The limits on group size in a session remain unchanged.
- Self-isolation: Individuals displaying COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate for 10 days (increased from 7 days previously).
- Shielding: Shielding will be paused from 1stAugust.At that point those currently shielding can follow the general Guidance for Rowing.
Read more: COVID-19 Route Map – Phase 3 Guidance for Rowing
Coach Highlight - John Higson
Posted: 20 July 2020
John Higson, Assistant Head of Rowing at Edinburgh University Boat Club
I’ve been asked to write a piece about me, my coaching, or “whatever I want really” so, in a throwback to 10 years or more ago when I last wrote an ‘essay’ I’ve sat down with my laptop and found two very key components for inspiration. Kevin Costner, and a sports film.
I learned to row at Edinburgh University and it is in those early formative years in the sport that I believe the foundations and principles for my coaching career were embedded, not that I knew it at the time. While studying at the university I cannot say that I had much of an idea of what I was looking to go into as a career/job and coaching never really featured on my radar. I often therefore get asked how I got into coaching.
Read more: Coach Highlight - John Higson
Global Pride Month 2020
Posted: 26 June 2020
Global Pride provides an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community around the world to come together and celebrate diversity and equality during these challenging times. As signatories of the Scottish LGBT Charter for Sport, Scottish Rowing are committed to supporting individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and highlighting the importance of representation within our clubs and our sport. We are delighted to share the following three stories from our members:
Read more: Global Pride Month 2020
Reflections - Henley Women’s Regatta by Lee Boucher – Head of Performance Pathway
Posted: 20 June 2020
This weekend should have seen the return of Henley Women’s Regatta featuring more than 1,500 rowers from across the UK and around the world. In recent years, this has become an increasingly popular competition for Scottish clubs, with rowers enjoying the opportunity to compete on the world-famous regatta course and test themselves against the best in the country.
For the last two years, Scottish Rowing has worked with our clubs to facilitate opportunities for junior rowers from across Scotland to come together and enjoy the ‘Henley experience’. Whilst some of our clubs have sufficient numbers and depth to field their own crews, for many junior programmes in Scotland this opportunity isn’t always possible, and these projects have been crucial for bringing people together.
Read more: Reflections - Henley Women’s Regatta by Lee Boucher – Head of Performance Pathway
Scottish Rowing - Update following First Minister's Statement
Posted: 18 June 2020
Scottish Rowing is pleased to be able to provide an update on the proposals for a phased return to sport following the First Minister’s Statement today, 18th June 2020.
As a sport we recognise and promote the benefits of rowing for physical and mental wellbeing and in particular the benefits of being outdoors and we welcome the progression to Phase 2 and the publication of updated guidelines for the return to physical activity.
The Phase 2 changes announced by the Scottish Government today will be introduced in stages rather than all at once. As of today, we have updated our current guidance to reflect only the changes in the Scottish Government guidelines relating to seeing family and friends. This guidance will take effect from tomorrow (19th June) and is available on our website.
A number of other changes to the guidelines were announced which will take effect from the 29th June. We are reviewing these and if necessary will update our own guidance setting out the conditions under which rowing can take place in Phase 2 to ensure participants who are able to row can do so safely and in accordance with the Scottish Government guidelines. Once this review is complete, we will publish our updated advice for clubs.
It is vital that as a sport we continue to support the wider public health agenda by taking a gradual and socially responsible approach to our phased return to rowing and the continued support of the rowing community in this is much appreciated.
Please note that you should continue to follow the current published Scottish Rowing Guidance.
Scottish Rowing appoints Steve O’Connor to revitalise Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park
Posted: 16 June 2020
Scottish Rowing is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve O’Connor as the new Business Manager for the Scottish Rowing Centre. In this role Steve will be responsible for maximising the potential of Scottish Rowing's recently upgraded rowing training facility at Strathclyde Park in North Lanarkshire through building sustainable local partnerships, community outreach programmes and commercial opportunities as well as enabling access for club and performance rowers.
Read more: Scottish Rowing appoints Steve O’Connor to revitalise Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park
Olympic Silver Medallist Karen Bennett Athlete Highlight
Posted: 15 June 2020
Image by Naomi Baker
There has been plenty of time to reflect on things recently. I’ve taken the time to think and briefly write about my time in the GB rowing team in the build up to the Rio Olympics.
In May 2015 I managed to get invited to train with the GB Womens team. That summer I gained a lot of experience racing, as a spare pair at 2 World Cups then a 4- at the World Championships where I won a silver medal. Coming back after the Worlds in 2015 I was very aware it was going to be an extremely tough year to get myself into an Olympic boat. There were a lot of strong and talented women around. The 8+ had placed 4th at the 2015 World Championships which meant they qualified the boat for the Olympics. I knew there was scope for me in that boat and that was the goal.
Read more: Olympic Silver Medallist Karen Bennett Athlete Highlight
Scottish Rowing Q&A Series Part 3: Olympians
Posted: 12 June 2020
In the latest instalment of the Scottish Rowing Q&A Series we are joined by three Scottish Rowing icons, who collectively have represented Great Britain at every Olympic Games dating back to Barcelona 1992.
Join Lee Boucher and guest host, Scottish Rowing Board member and Olympian Dot Roberts (1992, 1996, 2000) as we speak with Olympians Dame Katherine Grainger DBE (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016) and Heather Stanning OBE (2012, 2016) about their experiences taking up and progressing through the sport, what it is like competing on the world stage and how they have been adjusting to life after rowing on Monday 15th June 7pm.
The Q&A will be held via Zoom for members that sign up through the Azolve membership system, you will receive an invitation by email. The session will also be streamed live on the Scottish Rowing Facebook page.
