WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We received a very exciting Australian and Victorian rowing announcement this week regarding the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games!

In other news, the sun was shining last Saturday with beautiful conditions for the Head of the Barwon. Well done to all athletes who competed.

We look forward to this weekend, with rowers heading to Bairnsdale for the Head of the Mitchell, for what should be another great day.

Additionally, there has been a number of development activities and another funding opportunity has recently opened!

Read more below!

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

VICTORIA 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Rowing Victoria are thrilled to announce that Coastal Rowing (Beach Sprints) is a confirmed inclusion for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

This is great news for the Australian and Victorian rowing communities, being rowing’s first inclusion in the games since 1986. 

Coastal Rowing joins Golf and BMX as sports to make their Commonwealth Games debut, with Victoria 2026 also proposing to add a Para discipline within the event. 

For some inspiration, check out this VIDEO used by World Rowing in its submission to the Commonwealth Games Federation, Commonwealth Games Australia, and the Victorian Govenrnment.

More information will become available in due course. Read more from Rowing Australia below.

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

BALLARAT HIGH-PERFORMANCE DAY

Last Friday, Rowing Victoria Head Coach, Noel Donaldson, and new Development & Pathway Coordinator, Delwyn Oliver, headed to Ballarat as part of a High Performance day through the FedUni West VIC Academy of Sport.

Noel shared his plethora of knowledge with a number of young Ballarat rowers, providing some key training and racing tips. The RADcentre team then took them through a strength & conditioning session, before finishing up with some race day nutrition tips from dietition Michelle Ryan!

L2 COACHING WORKSHOP

Whilst in Ballarat last Friday, Rowing Victoria Head Coach, Noel Donaldson, also conducted a Level 2 Rigging workshop for a number of Ballarat based coaches looking to progress their accreditations.

Noel has been a busy sharing his knowledge, running a similar session in Melbourne earlier in September alongside the theory components of the coaching course.

Rowing Victoria would like to thank Ballarat City, Wesley College, and Korowa AGS for their facilities and assistance in hosting these sessions.

WOMEN'S MASTERS HANDICAPS ADJUSTED

The Rowing Australia Masters Commission have made a few updates to the women’s masters handicaps after a rounding issue was found recently.

Please find via this link, the updated handicaps (Appendix 7 to the RV Rules) that have now been approved by the RV Board.

RV ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given for the 146th Annual General Meeting to be held at 10am on Sunday the 23rd October 2022. 

The meeting will be conducted online and will include the election of two directors to the Rowing Victoria Board. Access more details or RSVP via the link below.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS

To assist the broader rowing community in understanding the Child Safe expectations of Rowing Victoria, and our member clubs and schools, we will be highlighting one of the new standards within each E-News edition.

JOPLING FAMILY ROWING SCHOLARSHIP

The Jopling Family Rowing Scholarship is a scholarship at The University of Melbourne that aims to provide future generations with an opportunity to excel, in the expectation that it will inspire them, in turn, to give back to their communities.

The two successful scholarship applicants will have demonstrated community leadership, be strong academically and be highly talented rowers.

The scholarship will provide financial support of up to $25,000 per year (plus further in-kind support) for up to four years, depending on the course of study of the scholarship recipient. 

Applications are now open and close 5pm Wednesday 16 November 2022.

To find out more information, please click below.

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM

Round 5 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now open, and you need to be a registered activity provider to be able to accept vouchers! 

By registering, your organisation will be supporting Victorian children to get involved in organised sport and active recreation activities and be able to accept vouchers of up to $200 towards the cost of membership and registration costs (as well as any included uniforms and/or equipment).

Registration is quick, easy and will only take a few minutes.

CLUBMAP WEBINARS

CLUBMAP and ASF will be hosting a special webinar on Monday October 10th - FUNDRAISING.

As part of their partnership with the ASF to help community sport they're bringing you this webinar to help evolve your club's fundraising. They'll show you how to reduce the work required to raise significant funds for your club by using the ASF.

RIVER SAFETY - BOW & STERN LIGHTS

With the dark mornings now upon us it is crucial that all rowers who are on the water (and coaches on bikes and powerboats) between sunset and sunrise all have adequate lighting for your safety and the safety of others. 

Rowing boats, in restricted visibility and between sunset and sunrise, are required to exhibit;

• Two all-round white lights - one attached to the boat at or near the forward or bow end, and one attached to the boat at or near the stern end.
• Bow light - A continuous white light is considered acceptable if it is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre.
• Stern light - A flashing white light is considered acceptable if it flashes at least once per second and is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre.

Not withstanding the above, it is considered acceptable for a light to be masked so as not to interfere with the vision of the vessel’s occupants, provided at least one light is visible from any direction (see diagram below).

SAFETY REMINDER

Rowing Victoria would like to remind all members the importance of using our equipment safely and appropriately.

The police have been made aware of a number of incidents where rowing coaches have been sighted either riding without helmets, using megaphones at incorrect hours, or using mobile phones while riding (both in conversation or filming their crews).

For your own safety, to avoid fines, and to respect other members of the community, we ask that you please ensure you are not partaking in the behaviours above.

WATERWAY ACCESS & INCIDENT REPORTING

Could all waterway users please ensure they are acquainted with their local waterway rules; traffic direction, turning points, stationary obstacles etc.

So that RV, Maritime Safety Victoria and now, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority can support the community in providing safe waterways, please register all incidents via the RV Report an Incident tile on the home page of the RV website.

A consistent management of reporting will assist us in ensuring we are kept safe on the water and the chances of equipment damage is mitigated.