First and Third Trinity Boat Club
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2007-2008 Manifestos

Emma Leadbetter for Coxing Captain

I noviced in 2005 with First and Third, coxing the 3rd Novice Men. Since then I have coxed in every term, moving up from the literal foot of the river, via a decent Gents Eight last Mays, and last term's excellent Second Men's VIII (if we do say so ourselves). More recently I have had experience of rowing off the Cam, and hope to gain plenty more this term under the guidance of Ming and the rest of the First Men. Now coxing the Lent Eight, I believe that I have the necessary experience of coxing for First and Third to allow me to use the role of Coxing Captain to the benefit of the whole club.

As a novice cox, I was 'buddied' by Dami and coached at various times by Magnus, Honey and Jenny. My coxing abilities were also really improved by having the benefit of an experienced and helpful crew in last year's May Bumps.

I love coxing and plan to cox every term for the rest of my time in Cambridge (which, if all goes in accordance with my master plan, will be forever).

Training Novice Coxes

This year we had a nice big intake of novice coxes into both clubs, and what's more we managed to hold onto them into Lent Term. If elected, I would closely with the LBCs to ensure that no-one with coxing potential slips through the net!

From my own experience I know that the first few weeks of Michaelmas are crucial for holding on to new coxes. As soon as tubbing is out of the way, I would organise coached outings in the coastal to give new coxes a feel for steering and giving basic commands. I would also organise talks covering the basics of coxing and encourage new coxes to cycle along with senior eights on their outings.

The buddying scheme for coxes is great in theory but does not always work in practise. I would want to organise a meeting for any senior coxes who could help on this scheme, to meet with the novices and open the channels of communication early on. Every new cox should have the opportunity to accompany a senior crew and to sub in for a stretch of the outing, under supervision of the senior cox. Rowing with people who know what they are doing is the best experience of all.

Providing Support and Coaching for Senior Coxes

At present the coaching for Senior Coxes is very hap-hazard. I would speak to coaches to ensure that the cox gets meaningful, coxing-specific and constructive feedback at the end of outings. I would also work with the Captains to allocate some of the Coaches Fund towards getting cox-specific coaching, especially in the run up to bumps. Most importantly, I would try and keep the buddy scheme running after Michaelmas, to help new coxes in their transition to the senior boats. But there is a wealth of coxing experience in our club, and I am keen to ensure that the wisdom of seniors and bufties is shared between all the coxes! I will also work with the webmaster to extend the training aids for coxes on FaT.org, and improve the current coxing guide.

Keeping the Coxing Equipment in Working Order

This is something very dear to the heart of all coxes! At present the system for recharging cox boxes has improved a great deal. I will personally check the cox boxes once a month, and encourage coxes to report problems as soon as possible in Iain's book. I will look into acquiring new equipment for the club, and orgnaise a termly kit order for coxes to purchase rigger-jiggers, waterproofs and other essentials. I will also make sure that there is a fully-equipped tool box in the crew room for the use of coxswains.

Keeping Coxes Happy

It's a lonely life being a cox. As coxing captain I would organise coxing formals and other fun stuff. I think it is really important that coxes get integrated into their crews as quickly as possible, and will work to make this process more efficient, especially for novices. It's also important that novice coxes get to know the committee, LBCs, senior coxes, and rowers from the other half of the club. I will also represent the needs of coxes to the committee, and make sure that I deal with all your queries and gripes as quickly as possible.

In Conclusion

I am really keen and if elected will do my utmost to make coxing as hassle-free and fun-filled as I possibly can!

Proposed by: Pedro Cunha
Seconded by: Ming-Chee Chung


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