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Students take part in Tony Blair Sports Foundation Indoor Rowing Finals in Durham

Over 7000 students in 20 secondary schools have taken part in an Intra-School Indoor Rowing Competition over the last 6 months.

240 rowers have made it through to the Durham County Final being held on Thursday 13^th January at Maiden Castle in Durham.

In 2009, a partnership between School Competition Managers, SUNEE, British Rowing, the Tony Blair Sports Foundation and Concept2 was established to deliver an Indoor Rowing Competition Programme for Schools across the North East. The Tony Blair Sports Foundation at its launch in 2007 provided Sedgefield Sports College with 20 indoor rowing machines. The County final is the culmination of the hard work of the partnership and the enthusiasm of all of the children who have taken part in the scheme.

Dr Peter Warburton, Director of Sport, Durham University says:

“This year’s County Durham Indoor Rowing Competition has been able to happen through the union of School Competition Managers, the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, British Rowing and Sports Universities North East England.  All these partners have a shared ambition of developing sport, coaching and volunteering in the North East.  The children who go on to win the County final competition will have the chance to represent their County in the regional competition in March.”

The main aim of the partners was to develop a competitive pathway from School Sports Partnership level to County level and finish with a regional event.  Schools and students are then signposted to the open entry National Junior Indoor Rowing Championship in London.  The programme has encouraged schools to involve girls and targeted disengaged students.

Tony Blair Patron of the Sports Foundation added:

“Children really enjoy sport if they are given the chance to take part. I am delighted to see how much indoor rowing has grown in such a short time in schools across the North East.  It’s a fantastic sport that encourages young people to see physical activity as fun and interactive.  Congratulations should go to all the students taking part in the competition.”

One example which shows the level of activity going on in this sport can be seen at St Leonards School in Durham where every pupil from year 7 to year 11 (240 pupils per year) will have the opportunity at some time during the year to use the rowing machines.  This will be during a 7 week (one hour per week) health and fitness module.  Most pupils will use the machines and record their scores on at least 4 or 5 occasions.  The school rowing club has an active membership of 30 pupils who use the machines at least twice a week, every week of the year.  The senior squad of 10 pupils are also using the machines 3 mornings a week before school.

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation has recruited and trained 39 new rowing coaches who are all now working in local schools and clubs across the region.