CANTABRIGIAN ROWING CLUB

Junior Development Co-ordinator 
Captain of Boats

INFORMATION LETTER FOR PARENTS/ GUARDIANS/ CARERS

** All sessions are currently full, but please read the below and then email junior-development@cantabsrowing.org.uk if you would like to be informed of the next learn-to-row course. **

On behalf of Cantabrigian Rowing Club I would like to thank you for expressing an interest in the club’s junior squad, and to provide you with some information about our activities. The club provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 11 and 18 to receive coaching in rowing.

All children are taught to scull, starting in our ‘virus sculls’, and when proficient they are encouraged to row in fine boats. The club abides by the National Governing Body rules on competition for sweep oar rowing, which state that no child under the age of 14 can compete. However, the club encourages competitive sculling at that age and also the entering of sweep oar competitions on reaching the age and level of muscle development required to make sweep oar rowing a safe option. All coaching is by or under the supervision of qualified coaches who are trained and have been, or are in the process of being, screened for their suitability for working with young people. Those who are being screened by the Criminal Records Bureau will be under the supervision of an already-screened coach.

Our club is working towards Clubmark accreditation, having previously achieved its accreditation in August 2004. The club is a British Rowing ‘Project Oarsome Club’, which means that it is formally linked with local schools to encourage pupils from those schools to take up rowing. The club provides coaches to give rowing lessons during these schools’ PE timetables. We welcome parents/guardians/carers to all training and competitions and value your support. We are keen to try and involve you in the club and you are always welcome to attend any of the club events.

Beginner sessions run for six weeks and aim to introduce juniors to rowing. There will be a flat fee of £30 for children aged under sixteen and at the end of the period we advise parents/carers of their child’s rowing prospects.

Arrangements will need to be made for travel to and from training sessions, arriving on time. If they are going to be late in either arriving or being picked up the coach in charge of that session needs to be informed.

Juniors should make sure they’re wearing suitable clothes to take part. At a basic level, rowers should wear flexible shoes and stretchy clothes without pockets over the stomach (i.e. avoid jumpers with a pouch). Tops should be long enough to cover the lower back when leaning forwards, and denim is not allowed for safety reasons. Layers and a bottle of water are recommended, and weather-specific items such as waterproof clothing, hats and suncream should also be considered.

The club membership fees are currently £99/ £66 annually for under-18s/ under-16s, or £8.25/ £5.50 per month if paying by standing order or equivalent. The charge for the six weeks of taster and development sessions are in place of this fee for this period.

For the safety of the athletes and for coaches’ peace of mind it is important that the club is made aware of any medical condition or allergies that may be relevant, and be provided with contact details in case of illness or an accident whilst at the club. The relevant form will be emailed before the first session. Thank you for considering Cantabrigian Rowing Club for your child’s involvement in rowing, and I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely,
Cat Darsley
Junior Development Coordinator, Cantabrigian Rowing Club, Cambridge