1. How do you propose to improve the state of repair of the boats?

The club has some good equipment but also has some poor equipment.  Lots can be done by selling equipment we agree we don’t need to buy equipment that better suits our needs.  Two poor unused boats could be sold to fund one usable second hand boat.  There are also small pots of public money that can be used to, for example, match fund purchases and top up requirements.  I propose we make the most of these and help whatever money is available stretch further.

Good maintenance is also important so I am delighted that someone is standing for the boatman position – I would anticipate working closely with this person to keep equipment in working order and prioritise purchase requests.

2. What is the priority for the next new boat acquisition and why?

I don’t know what the next purchase will be as I don’t yet know the needs of all groups within the club; one of the first jobs would be to meet all groups and establish their needs for the year, carry out an audit of all equipment, and look at where the most pressing gaps are.

3. If members of the Club want to form a semi permanent or permanent crew and pay a coach how would you intend to deal with other members of the Club that could legitimately have a place in that crew on merit but don't want to pay or can't afford to?

I believe members have every right to form crews and find their own coaches, but it is the role of the squad captain in charge of that part of the club – be it women, men, vets or juniors – to make sure that members within their ‘squads’ also have access to other crew options or volunteer coaching where possible.  We cannot have a situation where whole sections of the membership have no option but to pay more than other members to row.  

At the moment, we only have a few volunteer coaches, but they are good coaches.  One of my priorities would be to increase the numbers providing volunteer coaching by giving them support and good access to the resources they need.

4. What policy (if any) would you wish to implement to prioritise the use of boats across those squads training for competition and those enjoying recreational rowing? Does a paid coach have any priority over boats or launches?

A paid coach doesn’t have priority over any club resources, but equally he/she should not be discriminated against.  The members that coach is looking after are equal to all other members. 

Priority for equipment must be based on some simple and unbiased policies around ability, safety and need.  I am not in a position to make those rules now, but it is a general and unavoidable fact that the better and more experienced the rower, the safer the equipment and the better the ‘return’ that can be made from good equipment.  This must be taken into account, along with the needs of those aspiring to compete at a high level.  Despite this, less experienced recreational rowers should also have the chance to row in good boats when possible.

5. If the captain is away from the Club what would you consider to be the priorities in delegating their responsibility? and

Right from the start I would plan to delegate as much as possible, agree some simple policies and trust those within the club to respect those policies.  I don’t want to rule the club – I want to help set up a structure in which it can function as well as possible for the benefit of as many as possible.  This would be helped by the fact that I would intend to set the policies in collaboration with the squad leaders and vice captains to ensure that common sense, collaboration and compromise prevail.  However, I would also expect the committee to back me up if intervention is needed while I’m not around.

Each candidate should also post a note of no more than 500 words explaining what you think would constitute a successful tenure when members reflect back in 18 months time.

I would like to think that members felt that whatever they wanted to get out of the club during the year – fitness, friends, competitive success – they achieved or at least took steps towards that. 

I would hope that no boats sat on the rack gathering dust – that everything we had was used to the maximum and enjoyed. 

I would hope that while members might not have always benefitted from or agreed with the structure or rules, they could see that they were fair and understood why they were in place.  I would also like to think they felt the club worked together well as a unit, there was a sense of co-operation and mutual support, and that club spirit was strong.

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