#ROWING: NUI Galway Rowing Club and members of Rowing Ireland executive board met recently to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the club in the last academic year and to establish formally the partnership with Rowing Ireland and NUI Galway. Rowing Ireland is the governing body for rowing in Ireland and represents over 80 clubs across the four provinces.
NUI Galway have in the past decade captured Irish Championship titles in the men’s senior, intermediate and novice eights and in fours at senior, intermediate and novice level. International success has been achieved racing in World Cup Regattas. At the 2007 World Championships Alan Martin and Cormac Folan were part of the men’s four which qualified for the Beijing Olympics. Folan was part of the Ireland four which raced at the 2008 Olympics.
The partnership with Rowing Ireland firmly cements the commitment of NUI Galway to rowing. The university recognises the need for improved watersports facilities with the new strategic plan specifically identifying the development of water based sports facilities including a new building.
Hamish Adams, the chief executive of Rowing Ireland said that the partnership with NUI Galway, was the first initiative of its kind at third level. “Our unique partnership provides expertise at both ends of the sport. It acknowledges the diversity and needs of the sport from excellence to recreational participation.”
NUI Galway boasts two positions for the development of rowing providing support for its elite rowers: Rowing Development Coach for High Performance, Dave Mannion, and a Schools Liaison Development Officer for Participation, Jenny Cunningham.
Dr. Pat Morgan, Vice President of the Student Experience, said: “This connection anchors firmly the continuing commitment of the university to our high performance athletes. The “Get Going Get Rowing” nationwide participation initiative, which introduces rowing to second level schoolchildren, has provided a wider reach for the university and further opportunities for connections with schools in Connacht. Partnership with the national governing body ensures that we continue our support for our athletes and enable them through structured pathways the opportunity to thrive and compete.”
Dr Morgan acknowledged the tremendous support and mentoring that is given unconditionally to students as part of the alumni club, Gráinne Mhaol. The funding provided by the University Foundation Office and Student Project Fund enables the purchase of equipment for training and competition. She said that the voluntary commitment of university staff over many years and of Ruadhán Cooke, current chairperson of Rowing Ireland’s university sub-committee, provided a constant link for the young athletes and connectivity with the university.
