Rowing Ireland’s Get Going…Get Rowing programme is delighted to announce its expansion to Kerry. The programme that engaged 25,000 students in 2017 is making strides to boost its numbers of students rowing in 2018. The programme which is funded by the Sport Ireland, Women in Sport programme has grown from a pilot scheme in Dublin in 2014.

Get Going…Get Rowing will launch in Kerry firstly with Killarney schools. Many of these schools have already strong links with famed Killarney clubs such as Muckross RC, Flesk Valley RC and Workmens RC.

Speaking at the launch, Get Going…Get Rowing programme Manager Michelle Carpenter said “We are delighted to be in a position to fund the launch of the programme in the Kingdom. Kerry is a county that has been traditionally strong in sport with Killarney clubs producing many Irish rowing champions together with international athletes and coaches over the years. We are now delighted to bring Get Going…Get Rowing to schools in the town.  In time we hope to also expand to the surrounding developing rowing clubs in Tralee and Kenmare, as well as the established club in Killorglin.”

She continued, “High performance rower and World Coastal Champion, Monika Dukarska is from Killorglin and you couldn’t have a better Women in Sport role model in the locality, along with Coupe de la Jeunesse rower Georgia O’Brien from Kenmare Rowing and Boat Club. We are looking forward to a pathway being formed for many more Kerry students to clubs in the locality through our fun and innovative programme that not only teaches the rowing basics, but also key aspects of the Olympic Values Education programme that has been formulated together with World Rowing and Youth Sport Trust International.”

Rowing Ireland is the first National Governing Body to roll out the Olympic Values Education Programme as part of the Get Going…Get Rowing curriculum. This innovative OVEP programme reflects on such topics as fair play and respect, taught through rowing. Get Going…Get Rowing brings rowing machines in to schools and gets students rowing through a  fun and active programme. The programme is delivered by Rowing Ireland/Get Going…Get Rowing Community Coaches that are locally based.

The programme is looking forward to creating that pathway to clubs with the two #Blitzit “Splash and Dash” on-the-water events, which will be held in the Grand Canal Dock on 20thApril and Limerick City centre on 8th May. These events in turn create the pathway for students to their local clubs and into a “sport for life”. In a recent case study in Carlow, 95% of its junior female membership was as a result of the programme.

With Physical Education now incorporated into the Leaving Certificate examination curriculum, the future is bright for rowing in schools in Killarney, Kerry and around the country.

For more information on the programme check out the links our website to our various offerings for schools.

  • March 27th, 2018