West Midlands Strategic Plan

The West Midlands Regional Rowing Council (WMRRC) represents the clubs and events within Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Greater Warwickshire and Birmingham.
Priority Actions
  • To provide a transparent and accountable organisation and to elect a Divisional Representative to represent the views of the region at National Level.
  • To help clubs provide equal opportunities to participate in rowing regardless of age, gender, disability, faith, sexual orientation or ethnic origin.
  • Advise clubs of relevant matters and assist if and when necessary
  • To promote appropriate ARA initiatives in the region as and when they become available.
  • To develop and share good practice by developing effective communication links with the clubs in the region - by developing a regional website and a regional electronic club and coach contact list
  • Encourage and disseminate safe practices in rowing and the culture of safety in particular
  • To value the work of volunteers and provide recognition, support and training by introducing regional volunteer awards
  • To support regional clubs in the provision of quality rowing opportunities, by promoting and supporting the training and development of club officials and volunteers in conjunction with ARA guidelines and any appropriate National guidelines
  • To increase the numbers of coaches and volunteers becoming qualified and staying active. To improve the training and education infrastructure of the West Midlands by encouraging clubs to ensure their coaches and volunteers have appropriate qualifications and experience, by establishing an effective annual coaching and volunteer development programme and promoting the Community Sports Coach scheme
  • To increase the number of accredited clubs within the region.
  • To support the emerging relationships between outside agencies and West Midland clubs. To increase participation at recreational and competition level - by 1% per annum for the duration of the plan
  • To support the delivery of the Whole Sport Plan and the Regional Plan for sport
  • To support clubs in their quest for new facilities and equipment (see below)
  • To encourage the use of indoor rowing as a fitness activity by promotion to schools and other groups and to increase the number of young people involved in rowing by providing a broad range of activities within the region
  • To create the opportunity for those with the desire and talent to join the ARA Performance pathway and achieve success at an appropriate level. Promote Regional Performance pathways including Junior Trials and Sculling Camp for the National J16 Sculling Camp, Junior Inter-Regional Team and World Class Start.
  • Promote and increase regional competitions entries by increasing the number of appropriate level events in the region in line with the ARA Competition review, with a corresponding increase in the number of trained umpires.
  • Support the work of the regionally based ARA Coaching and Development Officer
The WMRRC aims to build the capacity of existing clubs by supporting them in modernising and improving their facilities and equipment. Recent analysis, including the ARA Club Survey 2004, has identified a number of development issues and concerns which include:
  1. Stratford upon Avon RC, Upton RC and Worcester RC tenure of current club sites.
  2. The following clubs have expressed the wish to modernise or develop their premises; Pengwern RC.
  3. To develop rowing in the Birmingham City area, as far as is possible, given the available resources.