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The town rowing club taking on independent schools

Chris McHugh & Adam Ball
BBC Radio Oxford
Wallingford Rowing Club A large group of teenagers pose outside the front entrance of their rowing club, squeezed onto a narrow pavement. Many of them are wearing medals and smiling for the camera. Wallingford Rowing Club
Wallingford Rowing Club is mainly volunteer-run, with a growing junior section

The coach of a community rowing club has said raising enough funds for a new boat would make a "massive difference" for its young .

Wallingford Rowing Club has mostly state school rowers and is largely run by volunteers, with independent school Radley College among its regular opponents.

Sport England have offered a grant of £8,000 towards the cost of a new boat, worth £16,000.

But to access the funding, the club must raise the remaining £8,000 themselves and have until 10 July to do so.

Wallingford Rowing Club 8 young men are pictured in a rowing boat, mid-race. All are wearing red shorts and vests, with some wearing a white top underneath and others wearing sunglasses. A Cox with a purple hoodie is pictured at the rear of the boat. They are all reaching forward with their oars in preparation for a stroke.Wallingford Rowing Club
The club, which rows on the Thames on the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border, said a new boat would be an investment into its youth programme

The club was formed in 1947 and runs a junior section, as well as senior men's and women's squads.

Its clubhouse is a Grade II-listed former brewery in Wallingford, on the banks of the River Thames.

More than 90% of its 147 junior attend state schools, most of them at local secondary Wallingford School.

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford's Adam Ball, Katie Greves, a director and Olympic silver medallist, said the club frequently had to borrow boats and equipment from other clubs and schools.

"Hinksey Sculling School is lending us a boat this weekend... and Radley College lent us a couple of riggers for a boat.

"That's the difference between a state school club and a private school club. We don't have the resources, we don't have the number of coaches.

"[But] we've given [the children] purpose and independence. As a parent and coach, I think that's the most important thing we can give our young people".

Google The front entrance of an old brick two-storey building. Above double wooden doors is a sign which reads: "Wallingford Rowing Club". In front of the building is a narrow pavement in front of a road with double yellow lines. Google
The club's home is a Grade II listed former brewery on the banks of the River Thames

'Community atmosphere'

Junior rower Daisy Coleman, 17, said the club was a tight-knit community.

"Everyone plays a big role and everyone is constantly trying to fundraise. I've met some of my best friends here... it's a great community atmosphere".

The club have until 10 July to reach their fundraising target.

"Above and beyond anything else, [rowing] teaches you be persistent," said Ms Greves.

That quality could serve the club well in their pursuit of their new boat.

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