Active Row Nottingham

Active Row Nottingham launched in September 2022 with twelve schools across the city taking part. From the beginning, the programme has worked to open up opportunities for young people to discover rowing, both indoors and on the water. Over time, the programme has built strong foundations and grown into a well-established part of the local community.

Initially, on-water sessions were held on the River Trent, giving participants their first experience of rowing in a vibrant setting. More recently, sessions moved to Holme Pierrepont (HPP), a safer and higher-profile base that offers excellent facilities for both beginners and more experienced rowers. Alongside HPP, partnerships with schools and key organisations — including Redhill, Nottingham Union, and Nottingham University — ensure that the programme continues to thrive and expand. These collaborations not only provide venues but also create pathways for students to stay engaged with rowing beyond school sessions.

Events have been central to the success of the Nottingham programme. Among the highlights were the on-water taster days at Redhill, where numerous schools had the chance to take their first strokes. Another standout occasion was the Berry Global Life Skills Day, attended by twenty students, which combined rowing activities with broader personal development. These events have helped to raise the profile of the sport while also giving students tangible goals to work towards and memories that will stay with them long after the sessions end.

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Several Nottingham students have spoken about what the programme means to them:
- Jack (Year 10): “Rowing club is great fun, it is a calm and enjoyable environment to exercise and socialise with friends.”
- Alex (Year 7): “Rowing club is an amazing way to work all of our muscles and build cardio. I love competing against my peers and myself. I wouldn’t have been able to try rowing if school didn’t have it.”

What is already clear is that Active Row Nottingham has given young people access to new experiences, skills, and friendships that they would not otherwise have encountered. For many, rowing has become a source of confidence, fitness, and belonging.

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