The third Tony Blair Sports Foundation Get Going, Get Rowing County Final followed suit from the previous 2 events, once again showing the enthusiasm and excitement schools in the North East have for Indoor Rowing. One hundred of the best students from schools around Tees Valley, including the best from the previous Middlesbrough Final, arrived at Teesside University on Tuesday 13th December to row for their place in the regional finals in March.

Back in November 2010, all Middlesbrough schools received 5 indoor rowing machines donated by the Steve Redgrave Fund and Comic Relief. Since then, the TBSF has been working in partnership with Teesside Sport on a project to increase participation in rowing for all students aged 11-18, both in and out of the curriculum, using these machines. The Foundation has trained 15 volunteer coaches from Teesside University to deliver Indoor Rowing sessions to schools in the Middlesbrough area. Half of these students also attended the TBSF Adaptive Indoor Rowing course which means they are now qualified to go into local special schools targeted by the project in the area. With plans to hold a further adaptive training course for students, as well as progress the two lead volunteers through to their Level 2 coaching qualification, the Foundation is making great progress in supporting the development of Indoor Rowing in the Middlesbrough and Tees Valley area.

For the full story please go to the TBSF site.