Club Committee

2009-2010 Manifestos

MLBCs Joint Manifesto

Having discussed the disadvantages of running individually, we decided that it would be better for us to stand as a group, as this will allow us to present an overview of next year’s main aims, and to outline areas in which we’d like to make changes. The team we have put together brings together representatives from different parts of the club: Tom Lovering (Coxwain), Allen Pope and Alex Wood (Lower Boats) and Miles Galloway (Upper Boats).

Miles Galloway: Having rowed with M1 over the past year and rowed at school prior to coming to Cambridge, I feel that I now have a good idea of what college rowing is all about, and I’ve been impressed by First and Third’s ability to field successful crews on a regular basis. I now feel that I’m in a position to contribute to the training and development of the club as an MLBC.

Allen Pope: I noviced during Mich Term, helped retain the Third VIII Lent headship, and am going to stroke the Fourth VIII to our headship this term. In my free time I study remote sensing of glaciers at the Scott Polar Research Institute, and as first year PhD student will have a very flexible schedule.

Tom Lovering: I am a first year mathematician and noviced with First and Third in 2008 as a coxswain, also learning the basics of rowing with the rest of the 2008 men’s novice squad. I feel as a sculler and coxswain, I can bring a more diverse perspective to the MLBC team.

Alex Wood: I am a first year mathematician and noviced this year with First and Third. After rowing with the club for a year and getting to know its members, I now feel in a position to contribute to the running of the club as an MLBC.

Michaelmas Term Aims

To recruit as many novice rowers as possible by ensuring a strong presence at Chaplain’s squash, and by publicising the club as much as possible during Freshers’ week, aiming to repeat the success of this year’s Boatie Cocktails.
To field a strong set of eights for both Clare Novices and Fairbairn’s. Doing well in these events will be a key target for next year, as success or failure can influence the number of novices who return in Lent term to join the Lower Boats squad.
To work closely with the WLBCs with regard to coaching, recruitment etc.
To encourage as many novices as possible to sign up for training camp over the Christmas break.
To organise socials and boatie events with the help of the Secretary to encourage the positive atmosphere and ethos seen earlier this year, and of course to have fun!
To provide help and advice to all novice rowers, and to ensure that all the lucky people who take up rowing next year have a productive and enjoyable novice term.

Training Plan

To create a training plan for the entire term that focuses on building up technique, power and fitness through regular water sessions and land training.
To coordinate availabilities to ensure that each Lower boat gets as much water time and coaching as possible.
To improve the points of contact between the Upper and Lower squads by increasing the frequency of coaching from members of the Upper squad. This would give new rowers access to quality coaching and tips, and build on the potential of the most promising novices. This is particularly important given that, in a few years, a number of the Upper squad will be leaving First and Third.
To encourage promising new rowers to trial for the Upper squad, and to provide them with the coaching and training to enable them to do so.

Lent and Easter Term Aims

To begin training in smaller boats as well as eights, so as to improve balance and boat feel in the weeks leading up to the bumps. Tom has suggested he would be willing to introduce some new rowers to sculling.
To field as many eights as possible in the Lent and May bumps, again aiming to maximise success.
To create a mentoring system between Lower Boats rowers with real potential and members of the Upper squad.
To enter at least one strong Lower Boats crew in an off-Cam event, so that new rowers can get an experience of rowing at a bigger national event.

This manifesto is only an outline for next year – Tom, Allen, Alex and I will aim to meet soon after the election and draw up a more thorough and specific plan, so that we can hit the ground running come October, and ensure that First and Third continues to be the most successful club on the Cam!

Proposed by: Emma Leadbetter
Seconded by: Richard Fletcher