Whilst it may not be the Henley Regatta, for over 400 children in Chelmsley Wood, indoor rowing came to life over the last two weeks.

The children aged 8-11 have been coached the fundamentals of indoor rowing and then had an opportunity to race against pupils from their own school and other schools over a variety of distances.

In the workshops each pupil was introduced to the technical aspects of the sport, and given an opportunity to race over 100 metres against 11 other rowers with progress in the race being visible on the big screen!

Each pupil rowed for 60 secs. The top 4 male and female distances were recorded. These scores were then added together to determine a schools total distance rowed. The winners of the boys and girls competition (Yorkswood / Coleshill Heath) shall represent North Solihull Schools in the School Games at Warwick University in July.

The coaches Nick Hobbis and Chris Shaughnessy who are School Games organisers for Chelmsley Wood Schools and the surrounding area have been hugely impressed by the enthusiasm of the pupils taking part in the scheme.

Chris stated "We managed to access 12 indoor rowers from Concept2 and as it is a sport that GB are hopeful of achieving success in at the Olympics in 2012 we felt it would be appropriate to provide the children with the opportunity to engage in the sport. The children have been very receptive and the long term ambitious hope is that in 2020 or 2024 a young man or young woman from Birmingham will be on the path to becoming an Olympian in rowing".

Pictured are rowers from Yorkswood School

Standing L to R, Thomas Knight, Rae Mallabar, Sam Smitherman and sitting down Mia Booker. All aged 11

Chris Shaughnessy School Ganes Organiser Chelmsley Wood Primary / Secondary Schools.