 | Masters rowing has been rapidly growing and developing and next year marks the 35th FISA World Rowing Masters Regatta. In September 2008 the largest masters event in the world will be held in Lithuania on the seven-lane, international rowing course at Trakai.
| The finish line at the Trakai rowing course
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The four-day even is expected to attract thousands of competitors as well as spectators from around the world and with these large numbers youth rowing benefits. Every year 1 Euro from each boat entry fee goes to FISA’s youth rowing programme through the Masters Fund. This year the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Zagreb, Croatia raised 8,701 Euro, a new record amount from the seat entries.
FISA’s youth rowing commission member Axel Mueller explains, “One of FISA’s development programmes is a specific program – the Masters Fund – to develop youth rowing. It is managed by the Youth Rowing Commission and provided by the FISA Masters Commission. “This programme aims to develop junior rowing in a selected country. The intention is that the country’s national rowing federation will employ a coach funded for two years to help develop youth rowing in the country.” The project began in 2002 with Chokri Bin Meled being selected to coach in Tunisia. Meled was followed by Raihan Omar in Singapore then Gitau Kariega in Kenya, then Ruben Scarpati of Uruguay. The latest recipient for the 2008 – 2009 term is Kerrie Mackie of Zimbabwe. The Masters Fund is also used to help development countries come to the World Rowing Junior Championships.
Registration for the 2008 World Rowing Masters Regatta is available online from May 2008. The World Rowing team values feedback. |
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