© North East Rowing on-line
North East Rowing on-line
Junior Inter Regional Regatta
(Published 10th January 2009)
A perspective from the Northern Region
For most junior athletes in the Northern Region, the Junior Inter Regional Regatta is the most realistic opportunity to obtain representative honours in their chosen sport of rowing. The sense of pride in wearing your regional tee shirt months or even years after the event is very evident. Also, the Northern Rowing Council supports the regatta by paying the entry fee for the regional team. Given these factors it is very important in my opinion that the selection procedure is as fair as it can be, is understood by both athletes and coaches and is open and honest.
I was covering the Regional Junior Commissioner role back in 2006 and against this backdrop I felt strongly that the selection procedure could be improved. The outcome was to propose a selection time trial which would be held around six weeks prior to the regatta. Coaches and athletes are given six months notice of the event which has from the outset been held at Cambois Rowing Club. Here there is a good 1500 meter stretch of water and the venue is fairly central within the region. The umpiring and time keeping is overseen by the Regional Umpires Commission.
If an athlete wishes to be selected for the regional team they have to attend the trial. There are no exceptions and no account is made for illness or absence. Each athlete is permitted to enter two events in their actual age group (no moving up) and if successful in both, they are given the choice of which event they wish to enter. Coaches are encouraged to either liaise with each other or to flag up on the entry form if they have an athlete that could be considered for a composite crew.
Has this process improved the selection? Feedback from athletes and coaches has so far been universally positive with the trial now being established as a regional event. Early notice has encouraged coaches to plan and target athletes towards selection.
If you would like more information please contact Andrew Bryant or Karen Howie.
(Published 10th January 2009)
A perspective from the Northern Region
For most junior athletes in the Northern Region, the Junior Inter Regional Regatta is the most realistic opportunity to obtain representative honours in their chosen sport of rowing. The sense of pride in wearing your regional tee shirt months or even years after the event is very evident. Also, the Northern Rowing Council supports the regatta by paying the entry fee for the regional team. Given these factors it is very important in my opinion that the selection procedure is as fair as it can be, is understood by both athletes and coaches and is open and honest.
I was covering the Regional Junior Commissioner role back in 2006 and against this backdrop I felt strongly that the selection procedure could be improved. The outcome was to propose a selection time trial which would be held around six weeks prior to the regatta. Coaches and athletes are given six months notice of the event which has from the outset been held at Cambois Rowing Club. Here there is a good 1500 meter stretch of water and the venue is fairly central within the region. The umpiring and time keeping is overseen by the Regional Umpires Commission.
If an athlete wishes to be selected for the regional team they have to attend the trial. There are no exceptions and no account is made for illness or absence. Each athlete is permitted to enter two events in their actual age group (no moving up) and if successful in both, they are given the choice of which event they wish to enter. Coaches are encouraged to either liaise with each other or to flag up on the entry form if they have an athlete that could be considered for a composite crew.
Has this process improved the selection? Feedback from athletes and coaches has so far been universally positive with the trial now being established as a regional event. Early notice has encouraged coaches to plan and target athletes towards selection.
If you would like more information please contact Andrew Bryant or Karen Howie.