Active Row Leeds

London Youth Rowing launched Active Row Leeds in September 2021, marking the first time the programme had expanded beyond London. Building on an earlier initiative run by RowUK, Active Row Leeds has created new opportunities for young people in West Yorkshire to discover rowing. The programme set out with the ambition of working with up to twenty-five state secondary schools, supported by funding from the Henley Royal Regatta Charitable Trust. Additional support from the Gemini Boat Race Bursary Scheme has provided more rowing machines, allowing the programme to extend into Bradford and Wakefield as well.

The aim of the programme is not only to introduce young people to indoor rowing but also to develop life skills, improve physical activity, and provide pathways into competition. Students have the opportunity to take part in LYR’s flagship events and, through collaboration with Leeds Rowing Club, are also offered the chance to experience on-water rowing. This partnership has been crucial in helping participants progress from indoor sessions to the water, broadening their experience of the sport.

Active Row Leeds has already established itself with a strong programme of events. Highlights include participation at UKREIIF, an inter-school competition held in December 2024, and the hosting of a regional hub for the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC).These events have showcased the enthusiasm and talent of local students while also celebrating the inclusive ethos at the heart of the programme.

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Reflecting on the year, one of the coaches explained: "I’m passionate about grassroots sport, and I love the mass participation aspect of this programme. Getting as many young people active as possible, and offering them their first taste of on-water rowing, is what makes Active Row Leeds so special."

The importance of running the programme in Leeds cannot be overstated. Many of the schools involved have high numbers of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, and providing them with the opportunity to try rowing helps open doors to experiences they might never have imagined.The benefits are already clear: students are becoming fitter, more confident, and more engaged in school life. For some, rowing has even sparked ambitions to join local clubs or compete more seriously.

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