Rowing Canada Aviron Awards Grants to Clubs with Youth and Adaptive Programs

Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is pleased to announce the following grant recipients in the area of Domestic Development.

Irow youth program grants were awarded to the following RCA member clubs:

SEVERN RIVER ROWING CLUB
SOUTH NIAGARA ROWING CLUB
CENTRAL ALBERTA BOAT CLUB
HALIFAX ROWING CLUB
SHERBROOKE ROWING CLUB
SILVER LAKE ROWING CLUB

Adaptive program grants were awarded to the following RCA member clubs/associations:

NOTRE DAME ROWING CLUB
CALGARY ROWING CLUB
MANITOBA ROWING ASSOCIATION
ORILLIA ROWING CLUB
VERNON ROWING CLUB
SUDBURY ROWING CLUB

In the case of the irow/je rame program, Sport Canada funding has allowed RCA to provide direct grants - in addition to the promotional package available to all clubs - that will assist in the development of youth rowing in the clubs' respective school communities. This funding is directed to the long-term athlete development model of the "Fundamentals and Learning to Train" stages of athlete development.

"As one of the recipients of the Sport Canada/RCA irow/je rame Youth Rowing program grants, the Severn River Rowing Club is honoured to have the opportunity to develop youth rowing in schools in Muskoka, Ontario and the surrounding area," said Michael Smith of the Severn River club. "This generous donation will be invested into promotion; educational presentations, equipment; coaching; dry-land and on-water sessions with the primary focus on fun and fundamentals consistent with the LTAD model. ...The funding will permit our coaching team to enlist, enable, educate and sustain youth rowing in our region."

Says Andy Nokes of Central Alberta: "The DVD to show to teachers is a great asset in convincing the schools that rowing should be added to their choice of sports-to-try, even if it is not adopted as a school sport. Most High and Junior High schools have a Fitness program, which introduces a range of sports to their students, beyond the traditional hockey, basketball and baseball. Thus, we hope to include rowing on a permanent basis."

In the area of adaptive rowing, one of the cornerstones of RCA's strategy is to not only to have clubs introduce adaptive rowing as part of their program offerings, but to fully integrate adaptive rowing into the club structure. RCA, with funding support from Sport Canada, announced a program this year that awards grants of $2,500 to $5,000 (maximum) towards Adaptive Rowing Development projects across Canada.

"Adaptive rowing - rowing for people with disabilities - is based on modifying, ‘adapting', equipment to meet athletes' needs. This RCA Development Initiative Grant will allow the Sudbury Rowing program to purchase new oars made specifically to meet adaptive rowers needs," said coach Thomas Merritt. "These oars will increase rowing efficiency, safety, and enjoyment and, in the end, put more people on the water."

Says Don Salmon of the Orillia Rowing Club: "The Adaptive Development Initiative Grant through Rowing Canada will enable the ORC to increase our community involvement through promoting an inclusive and supportive rowing environment to people of all ages and ability levels within our community. As well, with the specialized support and training available through this Initiative, we will be increasing the level of expertise and involvement of coaches and staff, thereby enabling a more comprehensive program for all individuals in the Orillia area."

The Calgary Rowing Club also benefits from this grant program: "The grant funding from RCA will enable the CRC to purchase equipment thereby providing new and exciting possibilities for rowers with disabilities and for the club as a whole," said the club's Shona McLaren. "We are looking forward to an exciting season!"

The Domestic Development Division of RCA would like to thank all applicants of the irow and adaptive grants. We received a number of quality applications and encourage clubs to apply again next year.

These grants will provide assistance to youth and adaptive rowing for the 2010 rowing season and retain youth and adaptive rowing membership in these communities. RCA hopes to continue grant allocation next year.

• For more information on the irow program, please contact Colleen Miller
• For more information on the apaptive grant initiative, please contact Martin George