September 2023 started with plans for a new site based at Runcorn Rowing Club. Initially, this was going to be called Runcorn Youth Rowing. It was a slow start but by March 2024, it had grown to four schools. It’s hoped that by next year we will be up to seven schools. Like Northwich, Runcorn Rowing Club, is based on the River Weaver which is generally a very well-behaved piece of water, ideal for our young athletes.
In September, we also launched a new site at Rudyard Lake hosted by North Staffordshire Rowing Club. This was not on the agenda, but Macclesfield Academy had initially wanted to join Northwich Youth Rowing and then couldn’t get a timetable slot to fit in with the Northwich schedule. The easiest solution was to open at Rudyard Lake, a beautiful stretch of water near Leek in Staffordshire. This site does need some more schools and more attention from us, but the team at North Staffs RC are doing a great job. More to come here next year.