Hong Kong China Rowing Association Opens New Training Centre

The Hong Kong China Rowing Association proudly opened it’s second training centre and boathouse on Sunday. The new centre, which will be known as the “Jockey Club Shek Mun Rowing Centre”, is located some 1000 metres from the Association’s original boathouse on the Shing Mun River in Shatin.

Featuring a four-bay boathouse, gymnasium, athlete rest areas, meeting room and members lounge, the new facility will allow much-needed expansion for the growing number of local clubs and training programmes. The Association’s first centre was opened in 1985 and is now home to over 1000 active rowers from some 20 clubs, as well as the National Team.

Funding for the building project was provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, whilst the land on which the centre is constructed was granted by the Hong Kong SAR Government. Officiating at the Grand Opening Ceremony were Mr. Brian Stevenson SBS, Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club together with Mr. Leo Kwan JP, Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, and IOC Member the Hon. Timothy T. T. Fok, SBS, JP, President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong China. Association members staged a row-past of some 100 boats, representing all of the affiliated clubs, to share in the celebrations.

In addition to supporting local development, the HKCRA has agreed to make facilities at the new rowing centre available to support FISA’s Development Programme in the Asian region with the possibility of hosting training camps, conferences, clinics and other regional activities in the future.

Thanking everyone who had contributed to the development, HKCRA President -Robert Wilson, noted that plans are already underway for further centres to be built in other locations and that the Association intends to continue it’s ambitious expansion plans, making rowing a universally recognized sport in Hong Kong.