Oarsome Project launched on the Clyde

Inaugural crew Lto R: Gordon Simpson, Amy Nolan, Iain Houston, Anina Khamisha, Jack Leask, Claire Baillie,
David Ferguson and Rachel Arnold, coxed by Karen Barton. Picture: David Nolan

Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club is making rowing more accessible to all communities in Glasgow with the purchase of a new club boat and oars.

The new equipment will enable the club to increase participation in rowing, with a particular focus on those communities not previously associated with the sport. Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club, with assistance from sponsor Henry Abram & Sons, sports match, Awards for All, Culture and Sport Glasgow and the Sports Council for Glasgow have together made a huge investment which will help increase participation, promote healthier lifestyles and build stronger communities.

Cllr Graham addresses the crowd before inviting the sponsors
to name and launch the boat. Picture: David Nolan

Michael and Stephen Abram of Henry Abram & Sons said: “Clydesdale ARC introduced us to rowing and what a success it has been. The members enthusiasm and love for the sport, which was quite apparent the moment we set foot in the clubhouse, immediately rubbed off on the two of us and as a result we just had to put something into the club. We are delighted to be involved in this project and it has given us tremendous satisfaction to be part of this project. If you want to experience the 'feel good factor' then join CARC and start rowing! It certainly worked for us. We wish the club all success with the new boat and now await line honours !”

Michael and Stephen Abram with Club President Michele Jowitt.
In club tradition, the boat was named after a Scottish Hill: "Ben Vrackie" Picture: David Nolan

The equipment purchase will help Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club increase participation at all levels. Club President Michele Jowitt said, “The support of Henry Abrams & Sons has been maximised with our sports match award for the purchase of the oars. The Awards for All grant towards the boat means that we can get more people out on the water more often. This is the largest investment in our 153-year history and we hope to get more people than ever before involved in rowing with the ongoing development support of Culture and Sport Glasgow and the Sports Council.”

Inaugural crew rows away from the boat house. Picture: Toby Mottram

Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sport scotland said: Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club is one of more than 1,600 sports groups throughout Scotland to have benefited from over £4.4m of sports match investment in grassroots sport. Our thanks go to Henry Abram & Sons for this sponsorship. This is a great example of how businesses working in partnership with sporting organisations and sports match can make a significant contribution to community sport, enhancing the lives of many young people in Scotland.”

www.clydesdalearc.org.uk