Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club
Strategic Plan 2005 – 2010
"GOOD PLANNING & PREPARATION ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS"
This plan describes the vision for the development of rowing and sculling at Carrick on
Shannon Rowing Club, including recruitment, retention, participation and performance
pathways for athletes, coaches and volunteers.
Its aim is to inform and guide club members and interested organisations outside the club who
may be able to provide assistance.
Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club has a long and proud tradition in Irish Rowing circles and has
been to the fore in community-based activities in the town and area for almost 170 years.
Through this plan we hope to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the club and hopefully
provide a pathway to greater success and increase overall participation in the sport at all levels
and maximise the potential use of our facilities to the widest audience available.
Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club - 5-Year Development Plan
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
What is this Development Plan?
What is Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club?
Why does Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club need a Development Plan?
How was the Development Plan prepared?
2.0 THE CONTEXT
What is happening in Rowing nationally?
What is happening in Rowing locally?
3.0 WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Club Development
Coaching Development
Junior Development
Adult & Senior Development
Community Development
Competition
Pathways to Performance & Elite Development
Facilities & Equipment
SWOT Analysis
4.0 WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?
Aims of the Development Plan
5.0 HOW DO WE GET THERE
Objectives & Action Plans
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is this Development Plan?
The purpose of this Development Plan is to set out the priority areas for Carrick on
Shannon RC and its partner organisations to develop rowing and sculling over the next
five years. It also aims to encourage partnerships within the rowing community, as well
as other local sport and recreation groups and organisations.
1.2 What is Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club?
Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club was founded in 1836. It is the second oldest Rowing
Club in Ireland and the oldest sporting organisation in County Leitrim. The Club has
approximately 60 active members and exists to promote and develop rowing throughout
the locality and further afield. We were the first club in Ireland to foster and promote
Womens rowing and this culminated in many great achievements for female rowers in
the club both in Irish and International competition and our greatest success to date is
when one of our female members represented Ireland in the Moscow Olympics in 1980
finishing in 7th Place in the Single Sculls. The Club caters for all ages from 12 - 70 years
and every level from recreational / social rowers who have never entered a race to
competitors at a national and international level. Carrick on Shannon RC is also the main
promoter of Tour Rowing in Ireland. This form of "holiday" rowing attracts visitors from
all over the world who use the clubs facilities as they tour the Shannon in specially
adapted rowing boats.
1.3 Why does Carrick on Shannon RC need a Development Plan?
There are significant advantages for Carrick on Shannon RC to pinpoint opportunities
and areas for development, and to work more closely with other organisations and
groups. These are:-
a) To improve co-ordination of effort and expenditure on the delivery of rowing
and sculling in Carrick on Shannon.
b) To be in a position to apply for both Capital and Current Funding Support from
local and national authorities, and other sports funding bodies.
c) To better develop rowing opportunities for the local community.
d) To reduce unnecessary duplication and overlap of rowing resources.
1.4 How was the Development Plan prepared?
The production process involved a consultation morning on the 21st August 2004
whereby club members were asked to consider and highlight club issues and priority
areas for development over the next five years. Clearly the success of the Development
Plan depends on full co-operation and ownership amongst the club members and the
local community and wide consultation was therefore considered to be paramount.
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2.0 THE CONTEXT
2.1 What is happening in Rowing nationally?
Earlier this year the Irish Amateur Rowing Union (IARU) launched a 5 Year Strategic
Plan for the development of rowing in Ireland. The core goals of this Plan are detailed
below:-
Win at international, world and Olympic regattas
Increase participation and develop rowing in clubs and schools
Provide a well organised competition programme in Ireland
Increase the awareness and profile of rowing in Ireland
Effective leadership and management of the IARU
Within this framework the IARU highlighted exactly why rowing is the ideal sport for
everyone:-
Friendship and loyalty to the sport and the club are paramount
The true Corinthian spirit
Clean drug free non contact sport
Strong volunteer spirit and camaraderie
Open sport not exclusive and everyone (children / adults) is welcome and
encouraged in a supportive environment
Rowing caters for those who want to row for fun and recreationally through to
ultra competitive levels
You can find your own levels in a team or in solitude
The IARU's vision for rowing is the creation of an environment which positively
promotes the development of skills and competence, increases levels of participation in
rowing, encourages and supports the achievement of personal goals aids the
development of excellence.
On a competitive level Ireland has enjoyed unprecedented success in International
competition and the profile of the sport is at a higher level now than ever before and
medal wins at World Championships have been a common occurance over the past 10
years.
2.2 What is happening in Rowing locally?
Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club has grown from strength to strength over the past 3
years after a couple of years of decline in activity. This increase has been mainly due to
former members returning to club after finishing college and others relocating their
employment to the local region. There has also been a steady increase in new members,
both Junior and Senior, and this has led to a vibrant active club with the clubs facilities
and equipment being used on a daily basis. Members compete at many of the big
Regatta's around Ireland and in 2001 the Club sent a crew to the largest rowing event in
the world, the Head of the Charles race in Boston. Our own Regatta was awarded due
recognition last year by being given the opportunity to incorporate the National Sprint
Championships of Ireland into its programme of events. This was due to a lot of hard
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work by the club members and Regatta Committee. Such was the success of the event,
the Club was awarded this event again in 2004 and we will host it again in 2005. Carrick
on Shannon Regatta is now in the top three Regattas in Ireland with regard to the
number of competitors taking part.
Carrick on Shannon is also the Tour Rowing capital of Ireland and the British Isles. This
form of rowing attracts upwards of 500 visitors to Carrick on Shannon each year and
provides a good boost to the local economy. These Tour Rowers come from all over
Europe, the US and even as far away as Australia. They use Carrick on Shannon as a
base where they hire specially adapted rowing boats to tour the River Shannon. They
use local accommodation and take up many hundreds of beds nights in the region.
Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club see the following 11 areas underpinning the
successful development in the area:-
Community
Core Activities
Equal Opportunities
High Performance Rowing
Young People
Coach Education
Club and Volunteer Support and Development
Competition
Members & Participants
Communication
Facilities
3.0 WHERE ARE WE NOW?
3.1 Club Development
The Club Committee manages the Club, and the rowing structure currently consists of 8
Rowing Squads -
(i) Senior Men
(ii) Senior Women
(iii) Novice Men
(iv) Novice Women
(v) Junior Men
(vi) Junior Women
(vii) Veterans / Masters
(viii) Social
There is also a lively social programme whereby club members meet on regular
occasions for outings and parties. We also hold our annual Club Dinner in January of
each year and it is an opportunity for all club members and their families to come
together and celebrate the year gone by. The Club is, however, very anxious to improve
all areas and bring more members into the club and increase the social interaction that
exists between members and the wider community.
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3.2 Coaching Development
The Club has a small number of very good dedicated coaches who have many decades
of experience to draw from. They have made a significant contribution to the results and
achievements within the Club over the years. They have also helped mould the ethos of
the Club which is one of sport being an enjoyable pastime for all rather than a way of
life. During the coming year, as the IARU introduce specific coaching qualifications, a
number of the club members will go on and undertake the necessary coaches in order to
become fully qualified. Unfortunately, at present, the number of active coaches are few
and without a dedicated and committed coaching structure within the Club a squad of
rowers will breakdown and members will ultimately leave. It is difficult to recruit new
coaches who are prepared to spend the time necessary to coach a particular squad,
which can amount to 10-15 voluntary hours per week, including technical water
coaching, supervision of land training and preparation of training programmes. The
success of the Club hinges on the availability and ability of its coaches to motivate club
members to participate, train and perform. Therefore, the Club must work towards
providing a sustainable coaching structure, which will drive the Club membership and
subscriptions, and increase Club funds that can be used for future development. The
Club needs to consider alternative ways in which to recruit, retain and recognise its
coaches including coach education and possible coaching fees if funds permit.
3.3 Junior Development
The Club currently has approximately 15 active junior members that have been recruited
in a number of different ways. As with all things it is better to work from the bottom up
so once someone reaches the age of 11 or 12 we should target them as possible future
members. Junior members are the future lifeblood of the Club and links with the local
schools and other youth organisations should be fostered. They are quick to learn which
will ultimately improve the skill base of the club and reduce bad habits being learned.
From a Community point of view, we are teaching these youngsters a new skill and
giving them an outlet for all their energies. It is the ultimate team sport and teaches
people to work together to achieve a common goal. We had a successful partnership
with the Townsparks Residents Committee a couple of years ago which brought 10 new
members into the club and we should try and foster more links such as this. Parents
quickly become keen and will also provide the Club with an untapped pool of
volunteers and future coaches. These parents may then themselves decide to give the
sport a go through our recreational rowing programme.
3.4 Adult & Senior Development
The Club has a broad membership in terms of age, ability and gender across the Adult /
Senior Squad. This ranges from Novices who have only taken up the sport within the
past year to Veterans who have been in the sport for many years. The Club has ran a
number of Open Days in an effort to recruit new members but these have been ad-hoc
and poorly networked amongst local organisations. With the large increase in people
working in the town and area we have gained an increase in the Novice Squad with
people wishing to try out the sport for the first time and we have also found that there
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are a number of people with past experiences in rowing in other Clubs. Through
promotion and publicity hopefully we can draw as many such people as possible into
the Club, both as competitive and recreational members. We have the ideal equipment
also for recreational rowing as the Clubs Tour Boats provide a safe and balanced way to
learn the basics of rowing and are also fun to use.
3.5 Community Development
The Club has an open membership policy and due to the equipment and facilities we
have we have been in a position to offer them to other organisations in the area to use.
The local "Cubs" group which introduces young children (age 5-8) to the River Shannon
and its amenities use the Club grounds and Boathouse on a fortnightly basis during the
summer months. These young children are shown how to use all forms of boats and
craft on the River Shannon in a safe and clean environment in such a way as to remove
any fear they may have had of the water. The local "Adventure Club" uses the Boathouse
loft as a storage space for their Kayaks and use the changing rooms and facilities for
meetings all year round. The local Canoe Club is also based within the grounds of
Carrick on Shannon RC. While the Canoe Boathouse is now old and slightly dilapidated,
the Rowing Club Committee would hope to rebuild this building in a joint venture
which would also see further storage space being made available for both clubs. The
club is very welcoming to any prospective members and members of the general public
who wish to come in and look around our Boathouse and facilities and there is always
someone available to go through the clubs many photographs and trophies which are on
view in the Clubrooms.
3.6 Competition
The Club participates in a varied competition programme, which caters for all ages and
abilities, from Juniors competing at the local Connacht Schools Regatta right up to the
National Senior Championships of Ireland and the aforementioned Head of the Charles
Regatta in Boston. The Club runs its own Regatta on an annual basis on the August Bank
Holiday weekend and for the past two years we have also been given the honour of
hosting the National Sprint Championships of Ireland in conjunction with this. This has
been a huge success and we are due to host this event again in 2005. The Canoe Club
also runs a very successful ranking race each year which attracts many competitors and
is held in high regard on the racing circuit.
3.7 Pathways to Performance & Elite Development
The Club has enjoyed a number of successes in recent years with a relatively small pool
of athletes who train approximately 20-25 hours per week and compete at many high
profile rowing events in Ireland. A major problem in the past has been a lack of a Third
Level College in the region and relative lack of employment which has meant difficulty
in holding on to athletes once they have found outside pressures taking them away from
the locality. Therefore, to retain these athletes the Club needs to consider the coaching
and equipment requirements as well as access to facilities. The emergence of some new
major employers in the area and the current development of a Regional Sports Centre in
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the town will also greatly help our cause. The Club also needs to outline clear lines of
progression from squad to squad, in an attempt to increase the Senior pool, with
members who have the ability, will and commitment to train at a high level.
3.8 Facilities & Equipment
The Club is situated on a green area beside the River Shannon in the centre of the town
of Carrick on Shannon and is ideally located to draw attention to itself. It consists of a
boathouse, gym, changing rooms, toilets, kitchenette and a Clubroom / Meeting Room.
The stretch of water directly North and South of the town is widely considered to be the
best stretch of water for training on in Ireland due to the shelter the natural landscape
provides. Many Dublin clubs use the town for training camps at regular intervals during
the year and use the clubs facilities for boat storage during these times. At the moment
though the boathouse facility itself is stretched to absolute capacity and we currently
have to store a number of boats in our Gym in the loft. This is not an ideal situation as it
takes away from the Gym facility itself which is in full use most evenings by the club
members. However, through our partnership with the local Canoe Club we hope to get
grant funding for the building of a new smaller boathouse on the club grounds in place
of the current Canoe Club structure which is currently falling into a state of disrepair.
This new boathouse would provide much needed space for boat storage and allow us
the possibility of purchasing new boats which are also badly needed. Through the
appointment of a Club Boatswain we would hope to provide the best available
equipment for members use year in year out. We also provide good facilities for Tour
Rowers when they come to visit and the boats we provide them are kept in good
condition. However, over time, these boats will need an overhaul and provisions should
be made for this in the future.
3.9 SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Broad Club Membership (age, ability, gender)
Open membership policy
Enthusiastic, hard working, trustworthy, supportive and self-sufficient
memberships - both athletes and committee.
Reputation for producing good quality crews
Rowing experience, knowledge and coaching expertise
Location of the Club, beside a great stretch of water and central nationally.
Successful social events and community involvement
Strong and proud club history - 169 years old and we still remain the only club in
Ireland to have had a female representative at the Olympic Games (Moscow
1980).
Highly successful annual Regatta.
Excellent name on the Continent as regards Carrick on Shannon being Tour
Rowing Capital of Ireland
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Weaknesses
High turnover of members.
Small Elite Squad (insufficient role models)
Insufficient coaches and volunteers
Lack of Club coxswains
Lack of storage space for boats
Small and cramped Gym
Ageing fleet of boats
Unsuitable mix of boat types (currently no coxless four in the club and only three
Club Sculls to be made available to approximately 20 members)
Boat transport to Regatta expensive
Insurance cost rising
Limited Club funds
Lack of public knowledge / minority sport.
Opportunities
Large catchment area for potential members
Increase in the number of employers setting up in the area leading to increase in
number of people living in the area.
Links with other Connacht based Clubs with a view to possible composite crews
Excellent water facilities
Future financial input for development - funding opportunities (Sponsorship,
grants, etc)
Relatively inexpensive place to live and re-locate.
Publicity and recruitment opportunities through social events.
Increase involvement through the local "Cubs" group and Shannon Adventure
Club.
Threats
Competition from other leisure facilities / sports clubs.
Local boat hire companies and private pleasure boat owners / private speed
boats
Inadequate land training facilities during the winter months / limited space.
Weather during the winter months.
Eastern Europe becoming a popular destination for European Tour Rowers due
to cheaper accommodation, etc.
4.0 WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?
The development Plan will provide the Club with a rationale to prioritise its work and
ensure that all available resources are optimised, as well as increase the likelihood of
securing additional resources for the Club. Through our consultation process we were
able to highlight exactly the direction we want the club to take and pinpoint certain
destinations we want to arrive at along the way.
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4.1 Aims of the Development Plan
Club Development - To create a responsible, safe, effective and friendly club for adults
and young people to enjoy the sport of rowing and the wider social aspects associated
with a club.
Coaching Development - To improve and increase the number of coaches, umpires,
coxswains and volunteers in the Club and gain any relevant qualifications where
necessary.
Junior Development - To increase the number of junior members aged 12-18 years at the
Club and to have annual participation at the Connacht Schools Championships and the
National Championships of Ireland.
Adult & Senior Development - To increase the number of senior members in the club (both
competitive and recreational).
Community Development - To improve links with the local community and participate in
a number of community based projects where possible to ensure the vibrant growth of
Carrick on Shannon and its surrounding areas.
Competition - To provide all members, no matter what age or ability, with competition
where possible whether on a local, national or international stage.
Pathways to Performance & Elite Development - To increase the number of Elite rowers in
the Club and to have representation at the National Senior Championships of Ireland on
a yearly basis. Should the Elite base develop we would aim to have National Squad
representation within this period also and put Carrick on Shannon back on the map as a
leading centre of excellence in Irish rowing.
Facilities & Equipment - To provide all members with access to high quality rowing
facilities and equipment through the appointment of a Club Boatswain who will work
with the Clubs Committee. Safety of equipment is also of vital importance and
equipment should be replaced as necessary when it has reached its "sell by date".
5.0 HOW DO WE GET THERE?
5.1 The following tables set out objectives and actions in achieving the above aims
Club Development:- To create a responsible, safe, effective and friendly club for adults and young
people to enjoy the sport of rowing.
Actions Required:
Continue to affiliate to the Irish Amateur Rowing Union on an annual basis
To review the Club management structure in terms of Committee and coaches
and to implement changes where necessary - time frame - before March 2005
(AGM 2005)
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To appoint a Head Coach and specific squad coaches for Juniors, Novices,
Seniors and Veterans – to be the responsibility of a sub-committee consisting of
the Club Captain, Secretary and Treasurer and to be reviewed on a yearly basis
prior to the annual AGM and also mid year as circumstances may dictate.
To review and update the Clubs constitution of a Bi-annual basis commencing
AGM 2005 to ensure that we do not restrict or hinder any possible future
development. This to be the responsibility of the Club President, Captain,
Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman with the review and presentation to
completed one month prior to the AGM.
To attend club management and administration seminar. This is to be the
responsibility of the Club Secretary who will stay informed on all such courses
that the IARU may run.
To ensure that the Club development Plan is monitored, reviewed and revised
on an annual basis and also to have the Plan displayed in a prominent place in
the Clubhouse. This is to be the responsibility of the Club Secretary.
To review Club Insurance to ensure that it covers the Club for the activities that it
delivers, including Public Liability and Property Cover.
To develop and promote a Code of Conduct to identify standards of acceptable
behaviour by Club members, coaches, supporters and parents of Junior
members. This will be done in conjunction with the Bi-annual review of the Club
constitution and will be the responsibility of the Club President, Chairman and
Captain.
To identify and examine all sports grants to support a club development
programme. This will be the responsibility of the Club Treasurer and Captain
and will be done on a twice annual basis.
To continue to organise an annual programme of social events as a means to
generate club funds and to ensure that these do not coincide with important
rowing events. This will be the responsibility of the Club PRO.
To organise and run an annual club training camp whereby all club members can
attend and learn from each other. It will also be a means of everyone getting to
know everybody else and re-enforce the friendly nature of the Club. This will be
the responsibility of the Club Captain and Treasurer.
To produce a Club Newsletter on an annual basis. The aim of this will be to
report on progress at all events, squad development work and recruitment
initiatives. This will be the responsibility of the Club Secretary.
To implement and monitor the IARU Water Safety Code and attend any courses
put on by the relevant bodies in relation to this. This will be the responsibility of
the Club Safety Officer.
To conduct an annual review of the buildings, equipment and grounds to ensure
safety in all aspects. This will be the responsibility of the Club Safety Officer.
To provide adequate first aid kits at the Club and to ensure that they are kept
fully stocked and in an easily accessible place. This will be the responsibility of
the Club Safety Officer and be checked on a monthly basis.
To ensure the Club has at least one member qualified in First Aid. To Encourage
and offer to fund at least one club member to attend recognised First Aid training
on an annual basis. This will be the responsibility of the Club Safety Officer.
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To maintain and update the Club website on a regular basis to keep club
members and the general public informed of what is happening in the Club
(www.carrickrowingclub.com). This will be the responsibility of the Club PRO.
To continue to attract Tour Rowers to the region during the summer months.
This will be done through publicity via the Club website, ads in worldwide
rowing websites and through established links the club has with many rowing
clubs throughout Europe, America and Australia.
To run an annual First Aid course for all club members and inform all members
on a regular basis of a Code of Conduct with regard to water safety.
Coach & Volunteer Development:- To improve and increase the number of qualified coaches,
umpires, coxswains and volunteers at the Club
To produce a coaching policy which will clearly outline the way club members
will row. This will be the responsibility of the Club Captain and be reviewed
during September / October each year.
To devise set criteria on which to base progression from squad to squad. This
will be the responsibility of the Head Coach and Club Captain.
To appoint a Head Coach who will implement the club coaching policy and co-
ordinate clear lines of progression. The responsibility of appointing a Head
Coach will remain with the Clubs Executive Committee.
To appoint a dedicated coach for each of the Clubs Squads with the aim of
providing land and water training. This will be the responsibility of the Club
Captain.
To ensure that all coaches within the Club attend all relevant coaching seminars
and gain necessary qualifications. This will be the responsibility of the Club
Captain.
To utilise all local authority coach education programmes in terms of access to
training on child protection, equity and first aid workshops. This will remain the
responsibility of the Club Captain.
To run Coach Development Days whereby high quality coaches are funded to
come to Carrick on Shannon and work alongside all squad coaches. This should
be a minimum of twice per year. This will be the responsibility of the Club
Captain.
To encourage all club members to involve themselves in some form of assistant
coaching to identify and recruit future coaches.
To screen any new coaches who may wish to join the Club, particularly those
working with Junior members.
Junior Development:- To increase the number of Junior members aged 12-18 years at the Club
and increase the number competing at National level competition.
To appoint a Junior coach / co-ordinator who will provide technical water
coaching, land training and preparation of training programmes to all Junior
members. This will be the responsibility of the Club Captain.
To liase with the Head Coach on the club coaching policy and lines of
progression from the Junior squad to the Senior squads.
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To participate in Heads and Regattas as appropriate and to organise at least one
fun event per year. This will be the responsibility of the squad coach.
To participate in the annual Club training camp.
To review the Junior membership category and pricing policy for Juniors. This
will be the responsibility of the Clubs Executive Committee and will be done on
an annual basis at the AGM.
To stay updated on and implement the National Child Safety Policy. This will be
the responsibility of the Clubs Executive Committee.
Adult and Senior Development:- To increase the number of Senior members aged 18+
To appoint a squad coach for each of the Senior rowing squads. To provide
technical water coaching, land training and preparation of training programmes
to all squad members. This will be the responsibility of the Club Captain.
To participate in Heads and Regattas where appropriate.
To participate in the annual club training camp.
To continue to run and improve the winter circuit training sessions in the
Clubhouse each evening. This will be the responsibility of the Club Captain.
To actively encourage Veteran and Social / Recreational rowing by providing
access to equipment, competition, coaches and facilities. This will be the
responsibility of the Club Captain.
Community Development:- To improve links with the local community in all aspects and make
full potential use of the clubs facilities.
To run at least four open days at the Club during the year to introduce new
people to the sport. Target the local Community School and local companies
such and Masonite and MBNA. This will be the responsibility of the Club
Captain and Club Secretary.
To run one "learn to row" course over an eight week period per year in
conjunction with the local schools / businesses as a means to recruit new
members and link them directly into the Novice Development Squad. This will
be the responsibility of the Club Captain, Safety Officer and Secretary.
To set up annual meetings with local Sports Development Officers to discuss
publicity, school liason and administration details for all open days. This will be
the responsibility of the Club Chairman.
To produce a club publicity A5 Flyer which will include all club contact details,
junior and novice training sessions, information on the "Learn to Row" courses
and Club open days on an annual basis. This will be the responsibility of the
Club Secretary.
To develop the role of the Club Public Relations Officer to include responsibility
for recruitment. This will be the responsibility of the Clubs Executive Committee.
To appoint a New Members Co-ordinator to keep all new members informed
with what is happening in the club and training times, etc.
To organise an annual Club Dinner in January / February of each year and invite
members of the local community along also who may have helped the Club out
in any way during the year.
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Competition:- To provide all Club members with access to competition.
To continue to work with local groups and business to ensure the successful
running of the Clubs annual Regatta in August of each year. This will be the
responsibility of the Clubs Management Committee.
To participate in a number of pre-determined Heads and Regatta's throughout
the seasons (see Appendix B) and to provide an appropriate range of competition
for all squads. Selection of these events will be the responsibility of the Club
Captain.
To ensure that all Junior members participate in the Connacht Schools Regatta
and the Regional Indoor Rowing Championships where appropriate. This will be
the responsibility of the Club Captain and Junior Squad Coach.
To run a fun day Regatta during the summer and a local Christmas Head event
for all members. This will be the responsibility of the Club Captain.
Pathways to Performance and Elite Development:- To increase the number of Elite rowers in the
Club and compete in National and International Competition.
To appoint an Elite Squad Coach who will provide technical water coaching,
land training and preparation of training programmes to all Elite Squad
members. This will be the responsibility of the Club Captain.
To encourage the Elite Coach to act as Head Coach. To liase with other squad
coaches on the club coaching policy and to set appropriate criteria on lines of
progression through the different grades.
To participate in Heads and Regattas as appropriate (National & International).
This will be the responsibility of the Head Coach. Where any Club member
reaches Irish Squad selection criteria and goes on to represent Ireland the Club
must support this athlete to the best of its means both financially and morally.
To participate in the annual training camp and pass on any valuable tips they
may have to any of the other squads.
To provide all Elite crews with priority use on racing boats where appropriate.
This will be the responsibility of the Head Coach and Club Captain.
To allow Elite squad members to form composite crews with other Clubs to race
in National Competition. This will be the responsibility and at the discretion of
the Head Coach and Club Captain.
Facilities & Equipment:- To provide all members with high quality and safe rowing facilities and
equipment
To appoint a Club Boatswain whose responsibility it will be to maintain the
Clubs equipment to the highest standards possible and highlight areas where
new equipment is required and any safety issues that may arise with existing
equipment.
To produce an inventory of boats and gym equipment which identifies
replacement, sale items and future Club requirements.
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To aim to buy at least one new piece of equipment per year in the boat category
and two in the gym equipment category. Immediate needs include a Coxless
Four, two new single sculls and an additional Ergometer for the gym. This will
be the responsibility of the Club Secretary and Captain.
To submit a grant aid application to purchase new boats to support an
expanding Junior and Senior Section. This will be the responsibility of the Club
Secretary and Club Treasurer.
To conduct a structural survey on the existing boathouse to identify maintenance
priorities and any additional building works required. This will be the
responsibility of the Club Chairman. An immediate need is for a new sculling
boathouse within the Club grounds as space is extremely limited in the main
boathouse. Expected expenditure on this would be in the region of E20,000.00
and this should be treated as the number one priority of the Club for the coming
year (2005).
To provide safe and secure racking facilities for all boats. To provide accessible
racks to members with private single sculls. To investigate the availability of
grant funding to pay for the substantial cost of re-racking. This will be the
responsibility of the Club Captain.
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APPENDIX A
AUDIT OF CARRICK ON SHANNON ROWING CLUB (2004)
Name of Club:- Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club - Established 1836
Local Authority - Leitrim County Council
Contact Details: - Mr. Mark Kelly,
Secretary, Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club
33 Cluain Si
Hartley
Carrick on Shannon
Co. Leitrim
Tel - 087 9791315
E-mail - mark@thewateredge.com
Wesbite Address - www.carrickrowingclub.com
Club Members:
Senior Rowing Membership 15 Male, 10 Female
Junior Rowing Membership 10 Male, 6 Female
Novice Rowing Membership 6 Male, 5 Female
Veteran Membership 5 Male, 2 Female
Associate Club Membership 50
Subscriptions: Adult Rowing E100.00 per year
Junior (U18) E50.00 per year
Associate E50.00 per year
Annual Affiliation Fee to IARU:- Currently E254.00 (Subject to review in 2005)
Current Boat Fleet-Eights-0
Fours (Coxed)-1
Double Sculls-3
Single Sculls (Club)-4
Single Sculls (Private)-2
Beginner Double Scull-1
Beginner Single Scull-1
Tour Boats-4
First Aid Officer – Ms. Dympna Smyth
Life Saving Officer – Ms. Elaine Gallagher
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APPENDIX B
2004 - 2005 Competitive Calendar
(HOR = Head of the River / Time Trial Event)
SEPTEMBER 18 FERMOY JUNIOR SPRINT REGATTA
SEPTEMBER 25 BANN VETERANS REGATTA (COLERAINE)
OCTOBER 2 OFFALY SCULLERS HEAD
OCTOBER 9 PORTADOWN MARASCULL
OCTOBER 23 TRIBESMEN TIME TRIAL.
NOVEMBER 13 NEPTUNE HOR (BLESSINGTON)
NOVEMBER 27 BANN H.O.R. (COLERAINE)
DECEMBER 4 KILLORGLIN HOR (NRC)
JANUARY 29th (2005) DUBLIN HOR
FEBRUARY 5 ST. MICHAEL’S HOR (O’BRIENSBRIDGE)
FEBRUARY 12 LAGAN HOR (BELFAST)
FEBRUARY 26 LAGAN SCULLERS HOR
MARCH 5 CORK HOR
ERNE HOR
MARCH 12 NEWRY HOR
MARCH 19 TRIBESMEN HOR (GALWAY)
APRIL 3 SKIBBEREEN HOR
APRIL NEPTUNE (ISLANDBRIDGE, DUBLIN)
APRIL 10 COMMERCIAL (ISLANDBRIDGE, DUBLIN)
APRIL 15 UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP (CASTLEWELLAN)
APRIL 16 QUEEN’S ( CASTLEWELLAN)
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APRIL 23 TRINITY (ISLANDBRIDGE)
APRIL 24 LOUGH REE (LANESBOROUGH)
APRIL 30 PORTADOWN
BANTRY.
MAY 7 LIMERICK (OBRIENSBRIDGE)
MAY 14 PORTORA (ENNISKILLEN)
MAY 21 CORK CITY (NRC)
MAY 22 FERMOY
MAY 28 BELFAST SPRINTS
JUNE 4 DUBLIN METROPOLITAN (BLESSINGTON)
JUNE 5 CARLOW
JUNE 11 BELFAST SCULLERS
JUNE 18 ATHLONE
JUNE 19 GALWAY
JUNE 26 MONKSTOWN C.H (NRC)
JULY 2 WATERFORD (BELLE LAKE)
JULY 15/16 IRISH CHAMPIONSHIPS (NRC)
JULY 31 CARRICK-ON-SHANNON / NATIONAL SPRINT
CHAMPIONSHIPS
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APPENDIX C
Current Club Coaches
Mr. Tony Keane - Junior Coach - 50 years experience in rowing circles and has been a
coach in the Club going on thirty years. Club Captain for a record 20 years and
numerous wins at major Regattas throughout the years.
Mr. Rene Reibetanz - A former German Lightweight Champion, Rene has been a
member of the club for nearly 20 years. He has vast experience in rowing and has a huge
knowledge of the technical side of rowing and also of boats. Rene currently looks after
the Clubs Elite Male Scullers.
Mr. Mark Kelly - 15 years a member of Carrick on Shannon RC and also former member
of National University of Ireland, Galway Boat Club. Coached a number of Junior crews
until taking over the Novice Squad in the past two years.
Mr. Mark Butler - 20 years rowing experience in Carrick on Shannon and Commercial
RC in Dublin. Now Club Captain, he takes responsibility for the overall implementation
of club coaching policy.
Mr. John Lowe – Former Club Captain and member of the club for over 20 years. John
currently looks after new members in the club, both male and female
Mr. Conor Griffin - New recruit to the Club, Conor has 10 years experience in rowing
and is a former National Champion of Ireland in the Single Scull. He is a former coach of
the Womens Squad in NUI, Galway and Junior Women in Tribesmen RC in Galway. He
comes to Carrick and has taken over responsibility for the Senior Womens Squad.
Mr. Tim Lohan - Another new recruit to the coaching staff, Tim has 15 years of top class
rowing behind him. He is a former two time European Junior Champion in the Pair and
Eight, numerous wins in Irish National Championships and has been coach to the Senior
Womens Squad in NUI, Galway for the past two seasons. He has made himself available
to help with the coaching of the Clubs Senior Men.
Mr. Shane Gately - Recently returned to Carrick on Shannon after a number of years in
England, Shane has over twenty years experience in rowing with a number of different
clubs. Shane currently looks after new members in the club, both male and female.
Mr. Jason Kelly - Another long time member of Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club, he is
also former Club Captain of Dublin City University Boat Club. Jason has many years of
top class sculling behind him and aids the Club Captain in the overall implementation of
the Clubs Coaching Policy.
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Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club
Strategic Plan 2005 – 2010
Executive Summary
Earlier this year the Irish Amateur Rowing Union (IARU) launched a 5 Year
Strategic Plan for the development of rowing in Ireland. In so doing the Committee of
Carrick on Shannon RC felt it would be beneficial for the club to undertake a similar
procedure and strategically look at where the club wants to be in five years time and to
outline a process in order to attain identified goals.
The purpose of this Development Plan is to set out the priority areas for Carrick
on Shannon RC and its partner organisations whereby there is a shared vision for the
development of rowing and sculling at Carrick on Shannon RC, including recruitment,
retention, participation and performance pathways for athletes, coaches and volunteers
over the next five years. The plan also aims to encourage partnerships within the rowing
community, in addition to other local sport and recreation groups and organisations.
There are significant advantages for Carrick on Shannon RC to pinpoint
opportunities for development, and to work more closely with other organisations and
groups.
These include:-
a) Improved co-ordination of effort and expenditure on the delivery of rowing and
sculling in Carrick on Shannon.
b) To be in a position to apply for both Capital and Current Funding Support from
local and national authorities, and other sports funding bodies.
c) To better develop rowing opportunities for the local community.
d) To reduce unnecessary duplication and overlap of rowing resources.
Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club has grown over the past 3 years after a number
of years of decline in activity. This increase has been mainly due to former members
returning to club after finishing college and others relocating their employment to the
local region. There has also been a steady increase in new members, both Junior and
Senior, and this has led to a vibrant active club with the clubs facilities and equipment
being used on a daily basis. Members compete at many regattas throughout Ireland
including the National Rowing Championships of Ireland and are encouraged to
compete on a regular basis through- out the competition calendar, including overseas
events such as Ghent International Regatta, Henley Regatta, London HRR etc.
Carrick on Shannon Regatta hosted annually by the club was awarded due
recognition in 2003 by the Irish Amateur Rowing Union in offering the Club the
opportunity to incorporate the National Sprint Championships of Ireland into its
programme of events. Such was the success of the event, the Club was awarded this
event again in 2004 and we will host it again in 2005. Carrick on Shannon Regatta is now
in the top three Regattas in Ireland with regard to the number of competitors taking
part.
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Carrick on Shannon is regarded as the Tour Rowing capital of Ireland and the
British Isles. This form of rowing attracts upwards of 500 visitors to Carrick on Shannon
each year, utilising club facilities and location. These visitors holidaying in the Carrick
on Shannon region bring the obvious tourist benefits to the local economy and have only
good things to say of the hospitality they receive from Carrick on Shannon RC and the
town itself, with many returning regularly to the Club for their annual holiday.
Currently the Club rowing structure consists of 8 Rowing Squads -
(i) Senior Men
(ii) Senior Women
(iii) Novice Men
(iv) Novice Women
(v) Junior Men
(vi) Junior Women
(vii) Veterans / Masters
(viii) Social
The Club has enjoyed a number of successes in recent years with a relatively small pool of
athletes who train approximately 20-25 hours per week and compete at many high profile
rowing events in Ireland.
As part of the strategic plan the following 11 areas have been identified as key to the
successful development of Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club and are now the fundamental
goals for Club progression:-
Community
Core Activities
Equal Opportunities
High Performance Rowing
Young People
Coach Education
Club and Volunteer Support and Development
Competition
Members & Participants
Communication
Facilities
Here we outline an overview of actions and objectives on how the Club intends to
achieve these identified goals;
Club Development:
To create a responsible, safe, effective and friendly club for adults and young people to
enjoy the sport of rowing
Coach & Volunteer Development:
To improve and increase the number of qualified coaches, umpires, coxswains and
volunteers at the Club
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Junior Development:
To increase the number of Junior members aged 12-18 years at the Club and increase the
number competing at National level competition.
Adult and Senior Development:
To increase the number of Senior members aged 18+
Community Development:
To improve links with the local community in every aspect making full potential use of
the clubs facilities.
Competition:
To provide all Club members with access to competition
Pathways to Performance and Elite Development:
To increase the number of Elite rowers in the Club and compete in National and
International Competition.
Facilities & Equipment:
To provide all members with high quality and safe rowing facilities and equipment
This development Plan will provide the Club with a rationale to prioritise its work and
ensure that all available resources are optimised, as well as increase the likelihood of
securing additional resources for the Club in order to achieve our goals in progressing
the club in a structured way over a five year period for the benefit of all those involved
in the club and the broader community of Carrick on Shannon.
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