Rowing clubs urged to reach out to more participants with disabilities

A new scheme focused on allowing more people with a disability to experience rowing has received support from care provider Heart of England Mencap.

The provider agrees with British Rowing that the sport is something adults with a learning or physical disability should be able to enjoy and have better access to.

Launched at Evesham Rowing Club, the scheme is an extension to British Rowing’s ‘Row-Ability’ project, which has seen success in encouraging more clubs across the UK to reach out to people with a disability and give them a chance to enjoy the sport.

Heart of England Mencap clients Graham Robb and Nick Blinkhorne, from Stratford upon Avon, attended the launch and had their first taste of rowing, supported by fully qualified Level 2 coaches who have themselves been briefed on the task of bringing sport to individuals with a learning disability.

Head of business development, Elaine Ives, commented: “We are very excited to be able to offer our clients the opportunity to experience rowing under such expert guidance. The boats used will have the same equipment as that used in the Paralympics and it is great to see the Olympic legacy working in this way.

“We hope that rowing will become a permanent option for clients under our Mencap Pathway programme which sees us offering leisure, learning and life skill opportunities to our clients.”

The pilot project will run until late August, with organisers hoping to continue the sessions if there is sufficient interest.