06 Apr 2023
The World Rowing Development Programme - What is it?
The World Rowing Development Programme aims sustainably develop, promote and grow rowing in all its forms: Olympic, Para, Coastal, Masters and Indoor-rowing at all the levels elite/schools/university/club/community by keeping its core values at the centre
The goal of World Rowing’s Development Programme is to provide the Member National Rowing Federations with support, training, guidance, resources and tools to sustainably develop the sport of rowing and all its aspects in line with World Rowing’s 7 guiding principles.
To achieve its goals, the World Rowing Development Programme offers mentoring, training, guidance and support for developing nations through a set of multidisciplinary programmes offering these nations the opportunities and tools to promote development pathways for athletes, coaches, entourage and leaders to progress.
This is achieved through linking World Rowing and its Development Programmes at International, Continental, Regional and National levels with IOC Olympic Solidarity, IPC, Continental and National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Government Agencies and Equipment Manufacturers; for the common goal of developing a holistic base of the sport, while providing strong competition pathways from the national level to Olympic and Paralympic Games.
World Rowing Development Objectives are:
- Participation – Increase the participation of member federations (MFs) in leading events by encouraging and assisting participation in regional, continental and world competitions, while assisting them to promote gender equal national development pathways, through sustainable development and competition structures.
- Integration – Integrate and expand all forms of rowing by creating specific strategies targeted at Para, Indoor, Coastal and Masters rowing, including educational resources such as manuals and guides to facilitate the staging of all the above events.
- Opportunities – Increase the number of rowing opportunities through clubs, schools, universities and other entities by creating specific projects to assist MFs to create rowing development pathways from youth to elite, such as: educational resources for coaches and leaders; support event organisation and exploit opportunities to develop university rowing in collaboration with FISU; foster shared commitment strategies together with national/international stakeholders to provide equipment (boats, ergometers) to developing MFs.
- Quality – Improve the quality of rowing and coaching worldwide by imparting knowledge through educational strategies and training camps for rowers and coaches from developing countries. Improve coach education through different level coaching courses and providing development material. Create awareness on the IOC Olympic Solidarity Programme, and create links to further assist National/Continental Federations in their own Development projects and athletes-coaches’ scholarships.
- Universality – Increase the number of countries having rowing and ensure their ongoing sustainable growth. Identify the countries not having rowing and engage in a strategy to target countries on a priority basis for a phased approach, considering each country’s style of rowing best suited to the natural local conditions, fostering links the NOC, Sports Ministry and IOC Olympic Solidarity, through well prepared experts assisting with technical and administrative guidance.
About International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, from the website of the United Nations:
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), which takes place annually on 6 April, presents an opportunity to recognize the positive role sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the globe.
Sport has the power to change the world; it is a fundamental right and a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all.