This year saw a number of changes. Our age range was reduced to year 8, for a number of reasons. Pressures of the Education System meant that there was a reluctance for schools to release pupils as they got nearer to their GCSE Exams. Other factors weighed in, mainly linked to logistics but it was generally agreed that year 8 would be the way forward.
We said goodbye to our head coach, Phil and welcomed Paul to the team. We also brought in more part time coaches to cover a busy timetable of sessions.
Our indoor competition was held at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of The Warrington Wolves. In theory this was a brilliant idea and although it worked well, it happened to fall on the coldest day of the year. Despite the chill, we hosted over 200 young athletes and selected another strong team to take to NJIRC, hosted this year at the Copper Box in the London Olympic Park.
One of our star rowers, Ellie Kadir managed to upgrade her bronze medal from 2018 to a Silver medal!
Once again the spring weather enabled us to get back on the river and the pupils went into training for the summer regatta.The 2019 regatta had a new trophy, presented in memory of Roger Chicken and it was to be awarded to the best school of the year. Our first winners were Birchwood High School. The regatta was a great success and again there were a large number of spectators watching their first rowing event.