Five hundred and thirty students took part in the the third annual London Youth Rowing University Indoor Rowing Challenge. This innovative sports event offers students from Years 10 – 13 the chance to take part in individual and team relay races on indoor rowing machines with gold, silver and bronze medals for the fastest boys and girls in each year group and prizes for the relay teams that row the furthest distance over a 10-minute race. Sports students Mert Elma (finishing 13th), Jeffrey Boateng (finishing 10th) and Tinashae Mahachi (finishing 11th) all completed the rowing challenge in under four minutes.
Competitor Mert Elma said “It was my first competition and it was an amazing experience. There were so many different schools and colleges involved and the atmosphere was electric. It also gave me a real insight in to university life.”
College Sports Manager Robert Murphy said “It was a great opportunity for our College students to take part in such a wide scale event. The guys thoroughly enjoyed the event and we are hoping on this will encourage more students to get involved our Rowing Club.”
LYR are a registered charity which aims to develop young people through physical activity and opening access to rowing at all levels including people who have previously had very little to do with sport. They recently donated state of the art rowing machines to the College with the aim of encouraging students to take part in the activity.
Matt Rostron CEO London Youth Rowing said; “It can be a real challenge to engage young people in physical activity when they hit a certain age. This year we not only achieved that but also gave them access to some of the biggest and most exciting employers in the capital. Over 600 people from across London entered the event and it was great to see them racing and competing and then more importantly, being able to speak to, question and learn from organisations such as the Met Police, Thames Tideway Tunnel and PWC. It was our best ever event and I am sure it will continue to grow and develop over the years.”
Kurt Hintz, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Learner Experience at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London added: "This is a great example of the natural sporting talent and high fitness levels of our learners in reaching such high rankings. We hope this inspires them to continue in the sport into the future."
The College Rowing Club takes place every Wednesday between 16.00 and 17.00 at Enfield Sports Centre. If you would like more information please contact Robert Murphy on 020 8442 3805 or [email protected]
