Eltham Green Sports College in the London Borough of Greenwich hosted an all day training event for SSCO’s (School Sports Co-ordinating Officers), PE teachers and the Competitions Manager representing 11 of the Borough’s 13 secondary schools. The programme, funded and organised by the Greenwich School Sports Partnership (GSSP) in co-operation with the Trafalgar Rowing Centre and Globe RC, began with an ARA Dry Instructors Award run by local CDO Kate Beaumont assisted by Phil Simmonds and with some unexpected but very welcome help from Penny and Andy from London Youth Rowing.

The group then went to the Trafalgar Tavern by the river in Greenwich for lunch followed by a tour of the Trafalgar Rowing Centre facilities that are practically next door – schools will be making use of the indoor rowing gym as part of a programme funded by the GSSP (involving 6 schools per term bringing 16 children each for a total of 6 sessions, the first 4 sessions being run by the teachers themselves at the gym followed by a session in the boathouse and a visit to the London Regatta Centre rowing tank as a grand finale!); use will also be made of the gym for GSCE PE classes, after school clubs and so on. Longer term plans include water sessions and hopefully a fun regatta next summer.

The afternoon was run by Tom Kay from Concept2, Mike Ridler and Maxine Tompkins, an SSCO from Nottingham who was able to demonstrate to colleagues her experience and teaching methods. The PM4 monitor’s capabilities were explored as well as venue racing and a great deal of learning was shared to the benefit of everyone attending.