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Lenham.net

On Friday 5th December 2003 Swadelands announced the introduction of ‘Project Oarsome’. This is a national initiative, which links 50 Rowing Clubs with 100 Schools to initiate regular rowing sessions for 11 – 15 year olds. The project aims to work with young people to develop their rowing skills, to improve water confidence, build team skills and foster an active life style.
Swadelands is working with Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club, the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) and Sport England on this national initiative.

The funding provides specialist equipment including, 7 lightweight boats, a safety launch, safety equipment, boat trailer, oars and 4 ergo machines. The ARA provides the coaching aids for the sessions and the Club works in conjunction with Swadelands as a Sports College to provide senior coaches for dry skills sessions that take place at the school with the wet skills sessions taking place at the Club.

Christian Cormack from the Olympic 2004 Team was present to promote Rowing at the launch. He is the Cox of the British Men’s Coxed 8 who won the Bronze Medal at the World Championship last year.

Representatives from the Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club gave the year 7 students from Swadelands a taste of rowing and the opportunity to use the ergo machines, see and handle the boat, talk to and have their photos taken with Christian Cormack. Director of Sport Nici Brophy, commented, “We are really proud to be part of this unique scheme which was one of the first in the UK. We would like to thank Sport England and Henley Stuarts Charitable Trust for funding this work. Of course, Maidstone Rowing Club has been fantastic in working with us to pull it all together’.