For almost 30 years, Doncaster has played host to a sport that is usually more associated with Oxford and Cambridge universities tussling on the Thames in the Boat Race, or the Henley Royal Regatta, in the form of Doncaster Rowing Club. Situated within Hexthorpe Park, just outside Doncaster town centre, the club has been training and racing on the River Don between Sprotbrough and Doncaster since 1989.
The club has a thriving senior squad for men and women, which has been reflected in the club’s first wins on the National stage recently and solid performances locally. The team ranges in age from 21-74 and comprises all shapes, sizes and abilities, with training throughout the week and weekend.
Challenges have been frequent and complex for all clubs in the UK over the past 12 months, but Doncaster rose to that impressively. When lockdown first began, Club captain Carol McGlone arranged for the staggered collection of rowing machines from the boathouse by those members lucky enough to have space to store them. Chair Phil Haigh arranged two club ‘virtual regattas’, contested by over 25 club members. A clever but straightforward handicap system was used so that any competitor was in with a decent chance of progressing.
The ethos is very much about what can be done, rather than dwelling on any limitations.
On the junior side, the club play host to Doncaster Schools Rowing Association (DSRA), whose dedicated coaching team aims to introduce children to the sport and provide safe enjoyment of the river and rowing.
The Junior squad has three levels:
- Development Squad – This is where all juniors start. This squad aims to improve general fitness and learn basic technique and water safety.
- Intermediate Squad – This squad is where juniors build on the basics, developing their technical ability and start to compete at regattas if they wish. Technical skills are paramount to the development of good effective rowing and may take years to develop fully. Fitness, core strength and flexibility are essential and are an integral part of training for both Rowing and Sculling.
- Performance Squad – This is a dedicated group of Juniors as they train five days a week; their training programme includes indoor rowing, weights and water sessions. The minimum age for this group is 16. Their goal is to compete at the top national events such as The National Schools Regatta, The British Junior Championships and Henley Royal Regatta.
If outdoor rowing is not your thing, the club is also the first club in their region to become a designated Go Row Indoor Club. Sessions for all standards are available at ‘off peak’ hours, which can be anytime before 4 pm Monday to Friday and are charged at just £2 per person.
Want to find out more about Doncaster Rowing Club? Check out their website.
Interested in joining? Contact them here.
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