Club Committee

2002 - 2003 Manifestos

Andrew Fisher - Men's Captain

In a large Boat Club such as "First and Third", it is difficult to cater for the different aims and targets of all the members, and to allow people to choose how much they would like to be involved. However, this is something which has been fairly successful this year, and which I would like to build on. I would continue to operate a system in which those very serious and committed oarsmen are able to train frequently, but also provide the opportunity for the more casual rowers to take a less involved role, and to do as much or as little as they would like. That said, any Boat Club ignores its novices at its own peril and I would endeavour to ensure that top novice crews, who want the regular commitment, are given regular expert coaching. Novice crews, however, are the domain of the Lower Boats Captains. I am sure we will elect extremely competent Lower Boats Captains, and I intend to allow them the freedom to teach novices as they think best.

I would like to involve Iain to a greater extent in the training regime, by asking him to help people to produce individual training plans. There is also a great need to produce realistic but effective training regimes for the holidays. The Boat Club works very much on a "one term at a time" strategy, and by combating this, we can greatly improve the quality of our top boats. I feel that we can make much better use of the bank-tub particularly for novices, and I would like to involve Iain in providing people with this one-to-one coaching. This would allow people to be helped with individual technical problems much more easily. I would like to see an increased use of small boats, particularly in the Michaelmas to facilitate this individual coaching. I would like the Boat Club to buy a new video camera, and to follow through with the current plan of purchasing dictaphones to help improve coxing. The Boat Club did not spend all of its budget this year, and with the surplus, I would like to improve these coaching facilities. I would also like (assuming members would value it), to investigate buying a squat rack.

I would continue the current practice of providing training camps at the beginning of each term. These camps are an opportunity to improve very quickly and are a great asset. I would also try to ensure that there was some regular training available on the Thames for those oarsmen likely to want to compete in the Head of the River Race. Black Prince BC are currently raising money to buy us a launch which will prove useful on the Thames and on the Nene. Whilst these camps have been very useful, I would like to see more coaches involved at a more individual level.

I would like to increase the involvement of the recently formed steering committee. It consists of a number of ex-captains, who are all very involved in rowing. They can provide interesting and constructive ideas based on their experience at other boat clubs, and their input is very useful for the Boat Club committee. I would formalise their involvement by amending the constitution, and ask them to meet every six months rather than just once a year.

I have been involved with rowing for more than five years, as a cox (reserve for an international competition) and as an ARA-qualified coach. I have been in charge of all internal competitions and training in my school Boat Club. I have sat on a strategic planning committee for that Boat Club, and so know how such committees function.

I would bring to the Boat Club a number helpful ideas based on techniques successfully used by other Boat Clubs. I can offer the Club my time, enthusiasm, and organisational skills, and above all the desire to improve what is already a very successful Boat Club.

Proposed: Jonathon Davies
Seconded: Sam Adams