Club Committee

2005-2006 Manifestos

Pia Schafer - Ladies Captain

Let's get Back Where We Belong

Pia noviced in Michaelmas Term 2003 and hasn't looked back since... intent on binning rowing for a life for the first two terms of her time at Cambridge, she has since refocused on not having her life limit her rowing.

She has rowed with the 1st Novice VIII, Lent VIII and May VIII and the CUW Dev Squad in 2003-04. This year, Pia has rowed with the 1st Fairbairn IV and VIII and the fabulous Lent VIII and has had an enthusiastic 'go' at coxing the 3rd Novice and Lent VIIIs.

For the year to date, Pia has served on the First and Third BC committee, initially as WLBC and from October 2004, as Women's Captain.

Why I am keen for a second term

I loved this year... and I would like to join BPBC and leave Cambridge in the knowledge that FaT women are 'within distance' of the Lents Headship.

What I intend to do during 2005-06

As far as they remain relevant, I still stand by all of my election pledges from last year. Additionally...

Rowing: I have few regrets regarding our rowing this year. We are losing a few very good rowers/our übercox to Uni trialling so the race for the 'sporty applicant that got away' will be on again... Thus a big focus would be to support the WLBCs to the best of my ability in Mich and Lent term.

Land Training: I would like to incorporate regular core stability/pilates sessions in the squad's training, introduction to which will be provided by Back-On-Track physio therapists.

Coxes: Analogous to Rachel as candidate for the men's captaincy, I would like to introduce a more 'competitive yet fun' element to coxing via a transparent grade system. This would be part of a wider strategy to create a similar structure for coxes at First and Third as there exists for rowers.

Coaching: Iain will continue to be the women's club's head coach. He will compile the year's training plans working from long-distance work in Mich Term to sprint work in Mays. Iain will be my main point of contact for issues concerning crew selection, races and 'inter-barbarian humour'. I would like to have visiting coaches to 'keep us on our toes' and provide breadth to a solid base of consistency and long-term focus.

What do I bring to the job?

• Experience of having been captain for a year
• Quite a lot of stamina given above
• Ambition to sustain and improve on our current 'roll'.

Summary

If re-elected, I would go about Club business with as least as much enthusiasm and commitment as this year. Given the fragmented nature of our training and the frequent turnover of rowers, coxes and committee members, I think my serving two terms would provide the Club with continuity at a crucial time for First and Third Women.

Overall Captain

The post of Overall Captain is a multifaceted job comprising a spectrum of very diverse yet equally important responsibilities. Of course, every rowing club has the need for a similar officer. I do, however, see the First and Third overall captaincy as somewhat unique. This is the direct result of our impressive and long-standing rowing heritage, strong link with past members, the fact that the First and Third Women's Boat Club was created as an entity within the original First and Third and the particular difficulties the complex structure of a collegiate boat club of its size faces regarding the trade-off between short Cambridge terms and degrees and the need for formulating long-term objectives for the Club.

As Overall Captain, my highest priority would be the fast securing of a sponsorship agreement with Mercer Consulting Group. I would like to continue to foster the very amicable and sporting spirit that has come to characterise the relationship between the men's and the women's club, as well as the Club's current and past members. Regarding purchases, I think 2005-06 should be a year of relative financial thrift. I personally see an increase in our fleet of small boats a very worthwhile investment. The weights room is in a sorry state and items such as our 'late' leg-press need replacing. Further, the women's club is in need of a second set of lightweight cleavers and the boat house of a new mirror. Given these 'minor' acquisitions and taking more fundamental precautions against 'premature equipment write-off', the Club would then be in a position to replace the two top boats in 2006-07.

One of this year's achievements that I am particularly proud of is the change in the diplomatic climate with our Boatman, Iain Law. I am confident that if elected Overall Captain, I could carry this improvement through to benefit Club business as a whole. Iain's support in terms of structuring our training and doing the lion share of the coaching for my 1st - 4th boats has been incredible, however, this is only a small part of what we employ a boatman for. In effect, the day-to-day running of the Club is the joint responsibility of the Overall Captain and the Boatman. Iain, as our only employee and professional, is the Club's main resource. He will be the first to admit he has a 'complicated' personality, but I feel we can no longer afford to neglect working with him.

I have established quite a strong link with the Bufty/BPBC community over the last two years. I feel this would serve me well in maintaining the tradition of having Old Boys and Girls come back to coach or race, help organise exciting training camps in places as exotic as Fowley, Cornwall or tell the tale of how the May VIII beat the Blue Boat in '67. Having recently experienced the joys and pains of Lower Boats Captaining and suffered directly from inefficiencies seemingly inherent in it, I would be dedicated to providing the LBCs with all the help and support needed to survive Mich term without traumatic incidents. This should help facilitate the high novice retention rates the Club needs.

I am confident that the structure I already have in place for the working of the women's club would enable me to devote significant time to the running of the overall Club. As a First and Third rower, women's captain and member of the Boat Club Committee I am aware of the challenges and opportunities the Club is facing and would be very proud and excited if given the opportunity to take a more active role in shaping the Club's future.