News

Posted: 16 May 2025

Scottish Rowing acknowledges the outcome from Aberdeen Sheriff Court today involving a coach from a Scottish Rowing affiliated club. Our thoughts are first and foremost with those affected by this case, and we acknowledge the courage of those who came forward to give evidence.

Today’s conviction and disposal of the criminal proceedings follows a longstanding investigation that was initiated by Scottish Rowing following concerns of a safeguarding nature that were raised directly with the governing body in 2020. Following an initial assessment by Scottish Rowing, this individual was placed under a precautionary suspension in April 2021.

Thereafter an investigation took place and during the course of this investigation, a decision was taken in consultation with Children First to refer matters to Police Scotland. At the request of Police Scotland, Scottish Rowing suspended its investigation in August 2021. The individual in question remained under precautionary suspension by Scottish Rowing throughout this period, banning the individual from all club and governing body activity.

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded Scottish Rowing will be resuming its sports level disciplinary process against the individual and is unable to comment further at this stage.

Scottish Rowing can confirm that the individual is not currently a member of Scottish Rowing and Scottish Rowing has continued to act beyond the term of membership as is appropriate in these circumstances, to continue to provide a safe and well governed sport.

Scottish Rowing takes the welfare of everyone involved in our sport extremely seriously. We have strict wellbeing and protection standards and codes of conduct in place. In addition, we continually review our approach and take all necessary steps to ensure we meet best practice and to enforce the protection measures available within our sport.

We encourage anyone with concerns of a safeguarding nature to report them through the appropriate channels.

To report a concern contact:

Scottish Rowing Wellbeing & Protection Officer – Mark Senter

Email: childprotection@scottish-rowing.org.uk

Telephone: 07852 947907

Children First - Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport team

Email: cwps@childrenfirst.org.uk

Telephone: 0141 419 1156

It’s important to remember that the wellbeing and protection of a child, young person or adult is paramount, it’s not up to you to decide whether or not a person has been abused, but to report concerns appropriately.

If you think a person is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, you should call the emergency services on 999.

As a part of our commitment to listening, learning, and creating an environment where everyone - rowers, families, volunteers - can feel safe and supported within rowing, we are pleased to communicate that Scottish Rowing is working with Kyniska Advocacy. Kyniska is an independent, athlete-led organisation who specialise in supporting people with lived experience of harm in sport and helping sports like ours rebuild trust through transparency, accountability, and support.

For support contact: support@kyniskaadvocacy.com.

For all media enquiries please contact:

Dave Macdermid

Email: davemacdermid@yahoo.co.uk

Phone: 07710 58014