Boss to help kids take up rowing

by www.eveningtimes.co.uk on 22 May 2006 Kids could follow in wake of Olympian Steve Redgrave

A sports boss is being hired to introduce kids to indoor rowing in every school in Glasgow.

Part of a £60,000 sport- scotland grant is funding a new participation manager's post to help increase the uptake of rowing and set up more school clubs.

The post is the latest move in a project run by the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association with the city council and Steve Redgrave Trust to establish rowing at schools.

Ultimately the aim of Totally Rowing is to get kids out of the gym and rowing on the River Clyde.

Already, 500 children are involved after schools took delivery of rowing machines in January.

Since then coaches have been working with volunteers and teachers to train kids at PE lessons and outside school.

It is hoped some may become candidates for the 2012 Olympics in London or the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Iain Somerside, vice-president of the SARA, said: 'The talent is out there, it's a case of trying to find it and move it on.'

Duncan Patterson, treasurer of Glasgow Schools Rowing Association, is throwing his weight behind the initiative.

He said: 'We are totally endorsing this because the more children that get into rowing, the better.'

A council spokesman said: It's great kids are getting the chance to try out something like this.'

Julia Bracewell, chairwoman of sportscotland, said: 'We are pleased to support all sports - indoor or outdoor - in our bid to increase participation and improve the performance of our athletes.'

18/05/06