Hexham Rowing Club has suspended its junior section after an intensive search failed to find a qualified replacement coach. The club said the current coach is stepping down at the end of the year, leaving junior sessions unable to continue until a new junior lead coach is appointed.
Junior members and their families were notified by email and WhatsApp last weekend. The club said the early notice was intended to give affected families time to make alternative arrangements ahead of the new academic year in September.
Why the junior sessions have been suspended
The club said regulations governing junior sport require a suitably qualified coach to lead all sessions. Although the paid position was advertised widely, Hexham Rowing Club said it was unable to fill the role.
“This decision was not taken lightly. Hexham Rowing Club has a proud tradition of preparing rowers to compete at the highest level.”
In a statement, the club said it had been left with “no choice” but to suspend the junior section until a replacement can be found. The suspension affects the club’s junior provision; the supplied announcement does not state that other rowing activity has been suspended.
Recent achievements highlighted by the club
Hexham Rowing Club said the decision came against a backdrop of strong results from rowers connected with its junior programme. Emma Nicholson won a bronze medal at the Junior National Championships in July this year.
The club also highlighted the progress of Jonty Ridley, who rowed as a Hexham junior until two years ago. Ridley recently won gold as part of a Great Britain PR3 Mixed Coxed Four at the European Championships and has since been selected to row for Great Britain at the World Championships at the end of August.
The club described its junior section as part of a tradition of preparing athletes for high-level competition, but said it could not run sessions without the required coaching provision.
Alternative rowing opportunities and recruitment
Juniors who want to continue rowing are being directed towards alternative school rowing clubs and local rowing clubs while Hexham Rowing Club looks for a replacement.
Anyone interested in applying for the junior lead coach role can contact the club by emailing [email protected]. The junior section’s suspension is due to continue until a suitable replacement coach is found.