Member Article

OARSOME! Agecroft rower completes 100km ‘Centurion Challenge’ to raise funds to get young people from inner-city backgrounds into rowing

Agecroft Rowing Club member Robbie Macfarlane completed the #Rowforchange ‘Centurion Challenge’ on Sunday – rowing 100km in 10 hours.

The Centurion Challenge saw Robbie, 40, row in various boat combinations up and down the River Irwell, clocking the equivalent distance of Salford Cathedral to York Minister.

Rowing the Centurion Challenge is no mean feat, a training Olympian would be unlikely to try this distance. The Agecroft Masters club member completed the last 2km of his challenge on a rowing machine surrounded by supporters in the Salford Quays club house.

Robbie, from South Manchester, joined a small group of men and women rowers across the country completing the Centurion Challenge to raise awareness of vital community projects, including #RowforChange.

Representing Salford and Manchester, Robbie’s challenge was organised to raise awareness about improving the diversity in rowing – with Agecroft RC striving to raise £30,000 to help get Manchester and Salford inner-city school children into the sport.

Speaking about the challenge, Robbie said: “It was an amazing day, so many people coming together to raise thousands of pounds to help open up rowing to kids in inner city schools. It was fantastic to row with each of Agecroft’s squads and have children up and down the river bank waving to us as we went up and down the Irwell. Thank you to all the people and businesses who have supported the event and the #rowforchange programme, the sore legs are nothing compared to the kind generosity.”

School rowing is often associated with fee-paying private schools, with young people from non-elite schooling backgrounds not being introduced to the sport until they are adults at university, if at all.

Keen to diversify the sport and get youngsters from schools across Salford and Manchester involved, Agecroft Rowing Club is trying to raising money to set up a youth programme and buy equipment.

A passion project for Robbie, he said: “Aged 13 I was fortunate enough to be introduced to rowing through my local school, with volunteer coaches who gave up thousands of hours of time to give children of any background the opportunity to take up the sport. Rowing has since been a major part of my life and I am forever grateful for that opportunity.”

He added: “Agecroft is really keen to make a difference to young people’s lives. We are looking for local businesses to get behind our diversity programme and support #Rowforchange through fundraising and sponsorship.”

Alongside the Centurion Challenge the Agecroft RC hosted a BBQ fundraiser. The Sunday Funday was attended by more than 200 people and has so far raised more than £5k towards the programme.

Sponsor Jason Watkin from Thornley Groves Estate Agents, Manchester, said: “Thornley Groves are delighted to have had the opportunity to support this excellent cause, relevant and required, considering the challenges faced by youngsters over the last 18 months. Supporting young people’s well-being by introducing the physical and mental challenge of rowing is an excellent idea.

“Rowing is a gruelling sport requiring discipline, commitment and technique, a combination that has the potential of creating significant reward and a sense of achievement for young people. Whilst considered to be a sport of privilege, this couldn’t be further from the truth, which is why I was switched onto the opportunity to support Agecroft Rowing Club and in particular their goal to support youngsters in our local community through opportunity and education. Given the club’s location in the heart of one of Manchester’s largest property hubs, how could I not get involved with this fantastic cause.”

Agecroft Rowing Club offers opportunities for rowing at all levels and ages, from complete beginners to aspiring international athletes. The club’s high-performance coaching has seen a number of rowers represent Team GB at various international events. Most recently, Graeme Thomas was selected to race in the Men’s Double Sculls at the Tokyo Olympics, narrowly missing a medal.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Elizabeth Lowe .