Redhill Trust Indoor Rowing Spectacular
Earlier this term a group of our students competed in the first ever Redhill Academy Trust Indoor Rowing Championships!
Rowers from each of Redhill Trust’s 10 secondary academies gathered at Tupton Hall School, where 200 students competed in timed races across year groups 7 – 11. Races varied from two minutes for Year 7s up to six minutes for Year 11s.
The atmosphere was electric as the first races got underway. Staff coaches and student coxswains crouched with their rowers providing tactical tips and encouragement, while support from the spectator stands was rapturous.
Representatives from British Rowing and London Youth Rowing (LYT) were also in attendance, providing logistical support and manning the digital race leader boards. Virtual boat race visuals projected onto big screens helped competitors and spectators alike keep an eye on race positions. Headteachers and PE staff even joined in the action at the end of the day in a 2-minute head-to-head race!
Adam Douglas, the Trust's Sports Development Officer, organised the event and provided enthusiastic race commentary from the sidelines. He said: "The atmosphere in the rowing arena was incredible as students raced against their peers and cheered-on their teammates from the stands."
"There were some outstanding individual performances, with two students reaching the gold national standard on the day of competition. If these rowers had competed in last year's National Junior Indoor Rowing Competition, they would have won!"
Redhill Academy Trust is investing heavily in rowing across its schools, providing opportunities for young people to have a go, 
develop their talent and even participate in the sport at a national level. The partnership with London Youth Rowing means the Trust's 10 secondary schools have already had significant investment in equipment and coaching. Each school now boasts ten Concept2 rowing machines which are being put to good use through high-octane inter-house competitions and co-curricular clubs.
By the summer, Redhill Trust students will be rowing on the water thanks to the provision of a boathouse at Holme Pierrepont, home of the National Water Sports Centre. The most promising young rowers will have the chance to compete as members of Nottingham Union Rowing Club.
Follow @RedhillTrustSport on Instagram for regular coverage of Trust-wide sports news and events.