Nottingham youngsters are being put to the test this week to see if they have the 'rowing factor'. Pupils from Dayncourt School in Radcliffe-on-Trent are taking part in a series of timed rowing challenges to potentially battle it out for a place at the 2009 British Indoor Rowing Championship (BIRC), which is taking place on 22 November. In an 'X Factor style' boot camp, each of the pupils from the school will compete on a Concept2 rowing machine throughout the course of the week, with the top four male and female rowers in each year group being put forward for possible selection to represent the Rushcliffe School Sport Partnership at BIRC, where they will be racing against over 1000 children from across the UK. In addition, the school are giving prizes for the top rowers. Chris Ballard, Partnership Development Manager for the Rushcliffe School Sport Partnership is looking ahead to BIRC. He commented: "I'm so excited that we are once again taking a partnership team to the British Indoor Rowing Championship this year and hope that we have plenty of representation from Dayncourt given the great effort they have put in this week - both staff and pupils. The X Factor style rowing competition has created such a good buzz around the school, with everyone wanting to get involved and showing their fighting spirit. The children are all thrilled to get the chance to row their way to BIRC in November and I'm probably even more excited than they are." BIRC will return to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham where the Nottingham youngsters will be taking part in what is expected to be the biggest event yet. The Championship has already made its name, not only as the UK's largest mass-participation indoor sporting event but also as the world's biggest indoor rowing event. This year, the Nottingham youngsters will get the chance to race against some top rowers, with everyone from amateur rowers to sporting legends expected to pass through BIRCs doors to race over the 2000m distance. Simon Starr, director of Sport Nottinghamshire said: "It's wonderful that Dayncourt School is taking such a proactive approach to exercise and making it fun for the children. Rowing is a superb form of cardiovascular exercise and ideal for keeping children in shape whilst having fun, which is key to continuity. Rowing Factor is a superb idea and the perfect way to get everyone from the school involved and I wish all the youngsters who make it through to BIRC the best of luck." Rowing Factor will be taking place all week at Dayncourt School, finishing on Friday 16 October, when the final BIRC team will be decided. BIRC will take place on Sunday 22 November this year and in general there is no qualifying, the event is open to everyone. To book your place, visit www.therowingcompany.com