Winter  2002	No  4

The South Region     

Editorial
Richard West, Downriver Regional Chairman and Divisional Rep for division 15
Happy New Year

Last December the AGM of the Thames Rowing Council was held at Molesey Boat Club, nothing remarkable in that you may say but you would be wrong. The Thames Rowing Council is an organisation of Clubs and Regattas whose function is to promote rowing and sculling on the Thames. If you want to read the whole of the constitution then you will find it on our web site at http://www.geocities.com/david_biddulph/trrc/ . So that it can be effective it operates in two sections – Oxford – Molesey and Kingston - Westminster Pier. 

How do we promote rowing and sculling? With the help of the CDO we organise courses for coaches - how many clubs need additional coaches or coaches at a higher standard? Let us know 
and we will see how we can satisfy your needs. 

It’s not all rush. We are formulating the five-year development plan for the region, feed into us what you need, and if the resource is available, what you will achieve and when you will achieve it. Help us to satisfy your needs. 

“..Courses cost money..” is your retort and we don’t have sufficient for our needs today. If you look further down this bulletin you will see that Jill Cobbett has arranged a number of training days for coaches and launch drivers to enhance their skills leading to the RYA 2 certificate. Thames Rowing Council is paying half the costs - £75.00 per person. Have you applied to join the course? If not then do so its great fun. When are you next going to have opportunity of driving a launch at 40 knots on the Thames and completing high-speed manoeuvres at the same time?

Today the Thames Rowing Council looks after the racing calendar and agrees the dates for regattas and head races 
on the Thames. It doesn’t take much to 

imagine the chaos if there was a free for all for the best dates. Equally there would be chaos if when you arrived at the event there were no umpires or starter; it is Thames Rowing Council that teaches and trains the umpires. Have you thought of joining the team? The address can be found on the web site. You’ll be joining the elite Thames Umpires who spend more time on the water than other regions and consequently are in demand at the premier events.

Where else in the rowing world are the voices of the Thames Rowing Council heard apart from the ARA Executive Committee and ARA Council meetings - its representatives serve on the National Development Committee, National Competitions Committee, the Women's' Commission and the Junior Commission. Help us to help you by attending the meetings and telling us what you wish to 
achieve in rowing and sculling. (Richard West)

COACH EDUCATION

Why aren’t more courses available?

Well, in order to run courses we must have more qualified tutors and assessors, as our current tutors are fully stretched.   If you are a fully qualified Bronze level coach then you are eligible to apply. The more tutors and assessors trained, then the more courses we can run.  If you would like further information about becoming a tutor or assessor then contact Nigel Weare on 01483 536 512 or email on nigel@wearen.freeserve.co.uk.

Nigel will be able to advise on funding sources to assist in the payment on the tutor and assessor courses with notice.

PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED TIMETABLE FOR THIS YEARS COACHING COURSES

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY QUALIFIED COACHES:
Bronze – 
Graeme Mulcahy – Molesey RC
Gerard Hughes – Molesey RC
Alan Cosgrove – Molesey RC
David Smith – Vesta RC
Helen Christison – Vesta RC
James Harlow – Vesta RC 
Wolfgang Weis – Wallingford RC
Livinia Cowell-Sheriff – Henley RC
Simon Maxwell – Putney Town RC
Hilary Poole – Weybridge Ladies ARC
Silver –
Nigel Muir – Walbrook Royal and Canoe Club
Mick Hughes – Weybridge Ladies ARC

COXING COURSES
There have been quite a few enquiries about coxing courses. Kingston RC has in the past run some in-house courses for their members.  They have offered to run some courses for the Region.  If you would like to attend a coxing course can you let Jill know and once she has an idea of numbers she will arrange dates and speakers. The cost should be about 20 pounds (TBC) and will be split into two or three modules.  Contact Jill for further info.

UMPIRES AND RECRUITMENT

There has been a successful recruitment campaign during January and several hopeful Umpires have put their details forward.  In the next issue there will be more details on how to start off in the role of an Umpire.  If you would like more information then check out the website http://www.geocities.com/david_biddulph/trrc/ . 

THAMES REGIONAL ROWING COUNCIL – FORWARD PLAN
You may remember that in the autumn newsletter I was advertising a Planning to Plan workshop.  This was to enable the Region to come together and begin to plan for the priorities of the Region.  The workshop was well attended and I would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed. As a result a working party has been set up.  This comprises of Terry Dillon, Chairman of the NCC, Richard West, Chairman of the downriver, Liz Nixon –Safety advisor, Margaret Adams – Div Rep 18, Peter Moore, Div Rep 12, Barbara Wilson Div Rep 11 and Nicolas Gill Div Rep 13.  This working group will be liasing with others within the council as the plan progresses.  It is hoped that a structure can be developed to progress the sport and those who work within it. The second meeting of this group was held on Thursday 31st January and will meet again on 19th February at Marlow RC.

HENLEY REGATTA FOR THE DISABLED
Will be held on Saturday 27th July.  300m upstream from the Barrier to Upper Thames RC.  Please contact John Beveridge for further info on 0118 972 4312 or johnbev@compuserve.com

DISABLED ROWING WORKSHOP
To be held at Maidstone RC on 8th February at 7pm.  Speaker is Helen Foord.
It’s free, that means it costs nothing.  So pop along and see how you can develop another strand of the club.

     W A N T E D

Furnivall RC is looking for a new coach for their women’s squad.  Expenses can be paid.  Please contact Val Snewin for further details on vsnewin@hotmail.com or 020 8740 9774
St Pauls School are looking for a coach to supervise the weights sessions of the rowers at the school.  The position is paid.  Please contact Richard Bailey on 020 8741 7049 for further information.
Bexhill RC want a heavy men’s 4+ (stern coxed) to race this year – any for sale or hire? Call Matt on 01424 730929
SENIOR INTER-REGIONALS
Team managers required for all teams.

March 2nd the Southeast & Southeast Coast is holding their senior trials at Ardingly Reservoir -9am.  Please call Bob Taylor, for further info. 01273 835248 or email ara-divrep@btconnect.com 

SOUTH EAST REGIONAL ROWING COUNCIL (COAST)
Planning to plan workshop 23/2/02 at Folkstone RC.  Please contact Paul Knight 01424 445362

USEFUL CONTACTS
UPRIVER:
Nigel Weare
SSDU
Bishop Reindorp School
Larch Avenue
Guildford, Surrey
GU1 1JY
01483 536 512
Fax: 01483 538645
nigel@wearen.freeserve.co.uk
DOWNRIVER
Jill Cobbett
SOUTH EAST
Bryan Wilson
Sports and Recreation Services
Kingston Uni
Penrhyn Road
Kingston
Surrey
KT1 2EE
020 8547 7373 (jill)
020 8547 7180 (bryan)
jill@gardensj.freeserve.co.uk
bryanwilson@ukonline.co.uk