Club Committee

20014-2015 Manifestos

Christopher Black - Men's & Overall Captain

Inclusiveness

During the next year I would like to grow the size of the men's squad by being more inclusive. This would be the result of better recruitment and better integration between the upper and lower boats. I hope to change how the club presents itself to freshers both through the fresher's Facebook page and through our own website. I plan to get novices involved in weights training right from the start and I want to provide extra-support to the MLBCs in the first few weeks. I also hope to aim some of our recruitment towards coxes. Following that I want to get new athletes mixing with the senior squad as early as possible in particular during land training.

Progression

Watching athletes progress and assisting that process is one of my main goals at First and Third. I will look in to providing some top quality coaching for the men's team. For this I will seek assistance from ex alumni and, as has worked quite well this term, CUBC. I also hope to liaise with Iain to try and come to an arrangement that could provide the men with some coaching. I will work hard to ensure all athletes develop and that this is compatible with academic commitments. I plan to track progress individually and personalise training plans where appropriate.

Fun

I believe having fun is a crucial part to the success of any rowing team. I want 2014/15 to be an awesome year for all First and Third athletes. I want to build on the success of Bence and Rob in arranging many swaps with other colleges. I also want to improve the number and size of crew pastas to create a stronger community between athletes. I plan to create a closed Facebook page as well for members to hold discussions, share photos and events etc.

Results

Not forgetting results, I hope to lead First and Third to a successful year of rowing. I believe that through inclusiveness, progression and fun, we will create a winning team. I have 8 years of experience in rowing and have a lot of knowledge when it comes to producing a good training program. I aim to get as much water time for crews as possible. I think selection will be very competitive and want to everyone an opportunity to perform and show their worth.

About myself

I began rowing at age 12 and over the last 8 years I have rowed at club, junior international, college and varsity levels. I rowed for 6 years at Bann Rowing club winning 3 Junior Irish Championships, the National Schools Regatta, a Senior Irish Campionship, la Coupe de la Jeunesse and coming 7th in the Junior World Championships in the pair. I have also rowed in bumps (Lent 2013, M1, up 1) and STCS and this year I was in the bow seat of the Goldie boat. From this I have gained a very broad view of rowing and a lot of experience of rowing beyond the Cam. I hope to use that experience when dealing with the rowing affairs for the club. From rowing with CUBC, I have gained a number of connections which have assisted First and Third already with Joshua Hooper and Rosemary Ostfeld regularly coaching outings. I believe I could act as an influential figurehead for the club and take the club further as a result of this. I am organised, responsible and time-efficient. I am also ambitious, charismatic and enthusiastic and will give my all to First and Third.

Club interests

I aim to assist committee members in all aspects of the club's future. I want to be proactive when negotiating with the sponsors and build on the good relationship we have with Cantab Capital Partners. I also hope to continue with the progress replacing the WinTech and purchasing a new tub. I want to renovate the current ergometers and oars. I also plan to start a discussion group/subcommittee to gather thoughts and organise a training camp (possibly somewhere warm and sunny.)

Integration

Finally, I feel that the men's and women's sides are currently closer than ever. I want to continue building on this with more social events (swaps, crew pastas, support at races, etc.) and using my role as captain to ensure the women are also as well coached, financed and successful as I plan the men's squad to be. I will communicate regularly with the Women's Captain and female athletes to promote greater cooperation and integration.

Proposed by Rob Stroud
Seconded by Barney Plummer