Love Rowing and Queens Park Chester Rowing Club launch
“Rowing to Success” - a new programme funded by the Westminster Foundation to
inspire and empower young people through rowing

Love Rowing, the charitable foundation of British
Rowing, has announced the launch of Rowing
to Success – a transformative five-year programme designed to unlock
potential, build confidence, and inspire futures for young people who will
benefit most from positive interventions.

Funded by the Westminster
Foundation, Rowing to Success is now live and ready to reach more young
people in Chester, specifically those with a special educational need or
disability (SEND), or from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

“We are delighted to partner with Love Rowing over
the next five years to deliver the Rowing to Success programme. This initiative
reflects our shared commitment to supporting young people who face significant
barriers to opportunity. Through this partnership, rowing offers a meaningful
pathway for young people to build confidence, develop resilience, and improve
their wellbeing.” - Caroline Da Cunha,
Cheshire Grants Manager

Delivered in partnership with Queens Park Chester Rowing Club, the programme uses rowing, both on
and off the water, as a powerful vehicle to reduce health inequalities, improve
mental well-being, and raise aspirations.

“Queens Park Chester Rowing Club is delighted to see
this programme funded to expand the accessibility for youth rowing in
Chester.&nbsp; We are passionate about
providing opportunities for young people that are shown to improve their
wellbeing, resilience, mental health and outcomes.” Kayte Parlevliet, Chair of Queens Park Chester Rowing Club.

Rooted in youth work principles, Rowing to Success
prioritises empowerment, inclusivity, and positive relationships, supporting
young people to develop resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence.

“Rowing to Success is more than just sport,” said Rebecca Gibson, Foundation Director, Love
Rowing. “It’s about helping young people discover what they’re capable of,
supporting their mental health, and giving them life skills that last well
beyond the water.”

The Rowing to Success programme offers a free opportunity for schools to support
their students’ mental well-being, life skills, and aspirations through rowing.
It aligns with Pupil Premium and SEND strategies, improves attendance
and motivation, and provides tailored support to ensure long-term
participation.

Stage
1: Taster Programme
Indoor rowing and on-the-water sessions introducing pupils to the sport in
a fun, confidence-building environment.

Stage
2: Extra-Curricular Activity
Regular indoor rowing clubs at school or transport to local clubs,
providing a safe, welcoming space to continue participation.

Stage
3: Personalised Pathways to Long-Term Participation
1:1 support to help pupils continue rowing, including help with kit,
membership, and access to local clubs.

Stage
4: Inclusive Events and Ongoing Opportunities
Festivals, holiday programmes, and sessions for young disabled people,
ensuring continued engagement and celebration of achievement.

The programme is delivered by two dedicated staff
members: a full-time Youth Rowing Coach, Charlie Ford and a part-time Activity Coordinator
and Welfare Officer, Orla Holohan, who will work with schools and young people throughout
their rowing journey.

From year three onwards, the programme will
expand to include a youth leadership programme for young people in Years 10-12,
providing volunteering opportunities and qualifications.

The partnership brings together the expertise of Love
Rowing, British Rowing's charitable foundation, the resources of the
Westminster Foundation, and the local knowledge and facilities of Queens Park
Chester Rowing Club to create sustainable pathways into rowing for young people
in Chester.

<a href="https://loverowing.org/">Love Rowing</a> is the British
Rowing’s Charitable Foundation, working to transform lives through the sport by
bringing diverse new communities into rowing. The charity is trustee-led and
focused on inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment through active
participation.

<a href="https://westminsterfoundation.org.uk/">The Westminster
Foundation</a> is an independent grant making trust and registered
charity, representing the charitable activity of the Duke of Westminster and
Grosvenor businesses, that provides long term sustainable help and direction to
vulnerable young people. Led by the Duke of Westminster, they are passionately
committed to giving young people the attention, care and direction that we
should all be able to take for granted. They believe that early positive
intervention is critical to set the direction of a healthy, secure and fulfilling
life. The Foundation’s funding is focused on creating opportunities for young
people (0-25) and their families to have the resilience, skills and capacity to
lead happy and healthy lives. Through creating these opportunities, they aim to
tackle the causes and impact of intergenerational inequality.

<a href="http://www.qpcrc.com">Queen’s Park
Chester Rowing Club</a> is the local delivery hub for Rowing to
Success. Formed initially as Queen’s Park High School Rowing Club (one of the
first state school rowing club programmes in England), the club is now a
community rowing club with aspirations to support all young people and works
co-operatively with all community-based rowing clubs in Chester.

Rowing to Success Launched

James Cox to smash it in a single at Beach Sprints

We have been so pleased to see James Cox (rower, coach and general all-round fabulous person from Queen's Park) selected to represent Team GB at the 2025 European Beach Sprint Championships, being held next week in Turkey, and then also the World Beach Sprint Finals a couple of weeks later.

James spent much of this summer training at the club (in between fixing up our blades and other odd jobs), and we could not be prouder to see him being so successful in the sport he has spent hours and hours training for.

Read about his inclusion and the details about the rest of the team <a href="https://www.britishrowing.org/2025/09/turkey-and-spain-in-sight-for-beach-sprint-squad/">here</a>

Proud to see James Cox off to European Beach Sprint Championships 2025 and World Beach Sprint Finals

Queen's Park Chester Rowing Club

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Welcome to Queen's Park Chester Rowing Club

The club is run solely by volunteers, most of whom are parents of present and past club members; taking up roles such as coaching, administration and general support.

For further information, including any enquiries about joining the rowing club, 

Email: QueensParkCRC@gmail.com

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