West Region Rowing Council Regional
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WEST REGION ROWING COUNCIL REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Building Our Future Growing And Succeeding ‘new participants through new partnerships’ ‘rowing for life through well-resourced clubs’ ‘inspiration through success on the world stage’ CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE REGIONAL VISION 3. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES 4. CONTEXT IN SPORT AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP 5. OUR PRIORITIES – BUILDING ON SUCCESS 6. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES 7. Actions By whom, who else needs to be involved and by when Appendices A Fixed Seat Coastal Rowing Group Plan B Indoor Rowing C Adaptive Rowing D Recreational Rowing E List of clubs in West Region 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The West Region Rowing Council is the youngest in the Amateur Rowing Association having been in existence for just 3 years with the inaugural meeting taking place in Bideford in February 2002. 1.2 Although this is a young ‘ARA’ Region rowing has been taking place for hundreds of years and some of the Associations were in existence before the current National Governing Body. With this history it is not surprising that some rowers from the area have achieved national and international success. A few modern day stars in our sport from the region include Olympians Ed Coode and Guin Batten and World Indoor Champion Melanie Moore. 1.3 In the world of Coastal Rowing successes include World Championships in both Pilot Gigs and Seine boats with 98 boats entered at the 2005 Pilot Gig Championships. All the group have a busy racing calendar with events on both Saturdays and Sundays from April through to October. Included for the first time in 2004 was a Schools Regatta attended by some 5 schools and this event has been included already in the calendar for 2005. All of the group have competed Internationally in events in Holland, France and America along with competing in The London River Race and look for opportunities to promote rowing at all times. 1.4 The large geographical area combined with the various types of rowing that takes place in the South West make this Region rather unique. The region supports nearly 6000 rowers who are represented by six different Associations, these are; Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA) West of England Amateur Rowing Association (WEARA) Seine Boat Group (SBG) Isles of Scilly Gig Association (ISGA) Cornish Rowing Association (CRA) British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) For a list of clubs in each Association see Appendix E 1.5 The Region’s primary challenge in the early years of this Plan is to put into place an organisational structure that will ensure all the Region’s Associations and their members receive fair representation both at regional level and with the National Governing Body. 1.6 The variety of rowing disciplines and the diversity in culture of the people connected with rowing in the South West means this first task 2 will indeed be a challenge but one that those connected with rowing both locally and at national level are keen to embrace. 1.7 An early success for the Region has been the forming of a working party to produce this Development Plan. The effect of this has been to remove the division that has been felt across the groups and has identified a genuine desire to improve communications and see the Region thrive. Recommendations for development of the organisational structure of the Regional Council will be found in Section 6 1.8 This plan provides a snapshot of what is currently happening in the various associations and whilst it provides development targets and key performance indicators it is a living document that will expand and mature as the developing Regional Council pulls together the wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise that exists in the region 1.9 A working party representing the Fixed Seat Coastal Rowing Group (FSRG) has produced a plan specific to their needs which forms Appendix A and will be referred to throughout this Development Plan 2. THE VISION ◊ new participants through new partnerships ◊ ◊ rowing for life through well-resourced clubs ◊ ◊ inspiration through success on the world stage ◊ 2.1 The Regional Council will provide the framework for the six Associations to gain access to National initiatives, promotions and support such as Coach Education, Inter-Regional Championships, athlete development programmes and access to funding 2.2 The Region will be encouraging clubs and Associations to increase participation in our sport and will be advising on how to develop new Partnerships with other sporting and non sporting organisations 2.3 With the diversity of rowing in the region it is not possible for groups to take part in direct competition but the new relationship between the various groups will be built on to forge closer links; arranging regional ‘fun’ regattas which will involve all types of craft will be explored. This will be particularly important for the younger generation and has been covered in the Junior Development section 2.4 Whilst some rowers are members of well established clubs with good facilities and equipment there are many groups who store their boats on river banks or beaches with no proper facilities. It will be a primary objective of the Region to assist and encourage all clubs to obtain adequate premises and equipment in order to ensure rowing in all corners of the Region thrives 3 2.5 It is evident across the country that increased participation in our sport occurred after the Sydney 2000 Olympics. With the continuing improvement of our National team at international level our sport can expect to receive more enthusiastic participants. The Region will rise to the challenge of assisting all the Associations and their member clubs with the enviable problem of accommodating increased membership The FSCRG have an 11 point vision which is detailed in Appendix A 3. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES 3.1 With closer relationships, better communications and a well structured management organisation we shall encourage and develop good practice to provide a transparent and accountable organisation at regional and local level. 3.2 The diverse mix of rowing craft used in the Region will require close co-operation between the many Associations to ensure we provide equal opportunities to participate in rowing regardless of culture, type of rowing boat, location, commitment, affiliation, age, gender, disability, faith and ethnic origin. 3.3 Create the medium for improved communications between the 6 different associations of rowing within the Region. See section 6 for Organisational Effectiveness 3.4 Create the opportunity for cross association participation within the Region 3.5 Creating the opportunity for those with the desire and talent to join the ARA Performance pathway and achieve success at an appropriate level. Build on the experiences in the region of those connected with the World Class Start programme 3.6 Increase the number of Young People starting rowing and provide a broad based range of activities to encourage long-term participation in the sport at levels of performance development. 3.7 Valuing the work of volunteers and provide recognition, support and training 3.8 Playing an active part in developing rowing as part of the broader sporting and social agenda, and to benefit local communities. With the 4 move to promote local Indoor Rowing Competition ensure all Associations are given appropriate guidance and support to enable the management of these events to be provided locally 3.9 Providing a welcoming environment and support for participants to enjoy the sport at whatever level they choose to participate including purely recreational rowing 4.0 Encouraging and developing safe practices in Rowing and the culture of safety in general 4. CONTEXT IN SPORT, AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP 4.1 Partnerships should be at the forefront of all aspects of rowing. Besides the obvious interaction between the rowing organisations themselves the WRRC takes great pride in their involvement with LEA`s, Schools, Sports Partnerships at County and Local Authority level along with various Heritage groups. 4.2 Recent initiatives and future proposals are designed to engage many other groups such as; DEFRA, Environment Agency, SW Lakes, Harbour/Port Authorities, the Market and Coastal Town initiative, the Beautiful Bays initiative, Sports coach UK, Business partnerships, Housing Associations and their specific community groups and Primary Care Trusts including disability and drug groups. 4.3 The WRRC looks forward to maintaining their existing partnership working and development of the others. It should also be noted that flexibility, openness and a desire on both parts will pay a big part in achieving this. 5. OUR PRIORITIES Building on Success, Focusing on what has Worked, Further Innovation 5.1 With 6000 active rowers in the Region it is apparent that one of the greatest successes has been getting people onto the water. In the case of the Seine Boat Group membership has escalated in recent years. This has occurred not through heavy financial investment, but through hard working, enthusiastic members who have not been hampered by unnecessary bureaucracy. 5.2 With an ever increasing number of rowers comes the problem that many clubs are at, or reaching, saturation point. The Region will encourage the sharing of knowledge from clubs that have been successful in obtaining large grants and sponsorship for facilities 5 expansion and improvement so that we can all continue to welcome new members 5.3 The WEARA coach training organisation is well established now and has a number of Tutors and Assessors who are able to deliver Dry Start and Instructor Award courses. The other Associations have different requirements to the ARA standard courses; qualified coaches from the Region’s Coaching Commission will work with FSCR groups to develop Coach Award programme for submission to the ARA for approval 5.4 A number of the larger WEARA clubs have athletes seeking selection for the National Squad and the region also has a number of World Class Start Athletes.