Issue 117 - April 1999

Chiltern Edge into Reading

Reading RC have joined forces with Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common, Oxon, to bring rowing to a 'dry' comprehensive school as part of Project Oarsome. Up to 190 juniors aged 11 to 12 will be introduced to the sport on rowing machines in the school gym. Performance will be monitored and recorded by the school's PE teacher, David Luke, a qualified ARA coach. Those who show aptitude and interest, will be introduced to the water at Caversham by Reading RC ARA qualified coaches ­ after school and at weekends.

Reading RC's captain Richard Hulme, said, 'the club has been like most other rowing clubs in the past ­ relying on public schools and universities to produce its members. We took steps to correct this a couple of years ago and now have a small but thriving junior section drawn from local schools. We are looking for a big increase in these numbers along with the added bonus of parent involvement in helping to run our club to meet our long-term strategy. The junior annual subscription has been kept at £50 (£1 per week) and even this can be paid by credit card, which must make our sport one of the least expensive around.'

© Copyright REGATTA Magazine, 1999.