Rowing Ireland, the governing body for rowing in Ireland, has launched an exciting new initiative to engage schools and clubs across the country in the world of rowing ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The initiative, called "Catch Us If You Can," aims to mirror the rigorous training schedule of Rowing Ireland's High-Performance athletes and promote the sport of rowing at the grassroots level.
As part of the initiative, participating schools will compete for the chance to win a state-of-the-art Concept 2 rowing machine for their institution. The prize is both an incentive for schools to participate and also a valuable addition to their sports facilities, encouraging ongoing engagement with rowing long into the future at the grassroots level.
"Catch Us If You Can" will feature a series of inspiring and insightful videos showcasing the personal experiences and training insights of Rowing Ireland's High-Performance athletes as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. These videos will offer a behind-the-scenes look into the dedication and determination required to compete at the highest level of rowing.
The initiative will extend to Rowing Ireland's 100 clubs, offering members the chance to "Catch" the HP athletes in their training pursuits leading up to the Olympics. This inclusive approach will foster a sense of camaraderie and connection within the broader rowing community, uniting athletes of all levels in their passion for the sport.
"Catch Us If You Can" builds upon the success of Rowing Ireland's existing Get Going...Get Rowing programme
Derek Bowen, Manager of the Get Rowing Programme, expressed his excitement for the initiative, stating, "We are thrilled to launch 'Catch Us If You Can' ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This initiative not only provides a unique opportunity for schools and clubs to engage with the sport of rowing but also allows us to share the incredible journey of our high-performance athletes as they prepare for the Paris Olympics.”
Ireland currently has six boats qualified for the Paris Olympics and one boat for the Paralympics. After an exciting week of racing in Italy for World Cup I, they came home with two medals, silver for the Women's Pair and bronze for the Men's Double. Up next is the European Championships in Hungary in two weeks' time followed by the Final Qualification Regatta next month where Ireland will have one last go at qualifying some more boats.
"Catch Us If You Can" builds upon the success of Rowing Ireland's existing Get Going...Get Rowing programme, furthering the organisation's commitment to promoting participation and excellence in rowing across Ireland.
For more information on "Catch Us If You Can" and how to get involved, please visit the Get Going Get Rowing website.
