Sydney Rowing Club

Rowing – Strategic Plan 2011 to 2020

Issue 2.2 Date: 14 May 2012

Prepared by the Board of Sydney Rowing Club

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

2. PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................................... 2

2.1 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................. 2 2.2 VISION ..................................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................................................ 2

3. STRATEGIC DIRECTION ............................................................................................................. 3

3.0 THE OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 SYDNEY ROWING CLUB STRATEGY ........................................................................................... 3 3.1.1 HIGH PERFORMANCE AND ELITE ................................................................................................ 3 3.1.2 CLUB SENIOR ........................................................................................................................... 4 3.1.3 UNDER 21 ................................................................................................................................ 5 3.1.4 JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................. 5 3.1.5 MASTERS ................................................................................................................................. 6 3.1.6 RECREATIONAL ROWING ........................................................................................................... 6 3.1.7 COACHING ............................................................................................................................... 7

4. IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................................................................................... 8

A: DEVELOP A RECRUITMENT PROGRAM FOR QUALITY ATHLETES ......................................................... 8 B: IMPROVE ATHLETE RETENTION OF ATHLETES AND PERFORMANCE ON THE WATER ............................. 8 C: IMPROVE THE REGATTA STRUCTURE WITHIN NSW AND AUSTRALIAN ROWING ................................. 9 D: IMPROVE THE “CULTURE” OF SYDNEY ROWING CLUB ..................................................................... 9 E: ADVERTISE, MARKET AND PROMOTE SYDNEY ROWING CLUB SO IT PROJECTS THE TARGETED IMAGE

INTO THE COMMUNITY ............................................................................................................................ 9

5. SRC ACTION PLAN ................................................................................................................... 10

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1. INTRODUCTION

1. Introduction

The Sydney Rowing Club Strategic Plan sets the overall objectives and guiding principles for the club’s rowing activities. This Strategic Plan covers a time frame of 10 years, spanning 2 Olympic cycles and has a built in annual review with acceptance or update so it becomes a living document that is progressively improved.

This Plan is to be distributed to coaches and officers of the club. It will provide a transparent foundation on the basis of which all the rowing decisions and season plans are measured against. It consequently provides the guidelines for our recreational and competitive rowing activities.

This will ensure

All members and staff are clear on the Club’s expectations and principal objectives.

The board has a good base on which to discuss and formulate changes.

The Strategic Plan and its objectives are implemented As an outcome of the Strategic Plan the SRC Season Plans will be developed. They will cover the day to day management of the rowing program for the season and will include both competitive and recreational rowing activities. The time frame for these plans is “medium range” or for a season or season and a half. These plans are the responsibility of the head coach or rowing manager and are to be developed to meet the requirements of the strategic plan. This Strategic Plan has been developed by the board of directors following a process of consultation and review involving members, staff, directors, and other parties.

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2. PURPOSE

2.1 Purpose

To clearly define the purpose of Sydney Rowing Club and outline the strategic direction and vision for the operation of the SRC boatshed.

2.2 Vision

Sydney Rowing Club to be acknowledged as the leading rowing club in Australia.

2.3 Mission Statement

To be considered the best club in Australia. This will be achieved by promoting

Pursuit of excellence Performance at the highest standards Development of strength and quality of character within our members.

WHERE WE ARE

NOW

VISION OF THE

FUTURE

BARRIERS TO SUCCESS

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

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3. STRATEGIC DIRECTION

3.0 The Options

In preparing this document the board examined the barriers to success facing the club and the critical success factors. A number of options for the future were considered.

Drop the elite squad and focus on juniors, learn to row and masters (not recommended).

Social rowing with a commercial focus for the club. Focus on revenue (not recommended).

Pursue the establishment of an Elite and senior program based on the view we can only support a small number of athletes at the intense level with our professional coaches. Current plan. (Not recommended)

Develop a broad base of club member athletes by operating parallel club, senior and high performance programs.

3.1 Sydney Rowing Club Strategy

The board has endorsed the concept of pursuing the strategic direction of a “broad based club” as recommended above.

The strategy adopted will be implemented through the following programs.

3.1.1 High Performance and Elite

Objectives:

National Selection,

Aligned with National Program

Selection Regatta and Time Trials

National Championships

State championships

Small Boat Training

100% NRCE prognostic times

Operate Australian national crews from SRC which include our members and our coaches.

Reasons:

Historical achievements

Role models

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Successes from this will feed into promotion and marketing

Youthful image of club

Pace setters

Other Criteria:

By invitation only for those athletes who have demonstrated the potential for selection in Australian teams through performance in competition and testing.

Includes U19, U23 and Senior A.

Small Boat Training in 1x and 2-

8 male and 8 female*.

3.1.2 Club Senior

Objectives:

Develop skills

Provide a pathway from U23 HPE rowing to future opportunities which may include Senior A. Allows time for development without engaging in Senior A HPE competition.

Club events in the NSW regatta calendar.

NSW Championships

Grade/Club events at National Championships

NSW State grade championships (Trickett)

Head Racing

International club events such as Henley, New Zealand or USA Head Racing.

Team Boat Training

Based on performance, athletes may progress to HP&E squad

Competitive squad

State Team Selection may be achieved

85% of NRCE prognostic times

Reasons:

Differentiates SRC from every other Rowing Club in NSW

Substantial current demand for this program

Build a strong club community for both social and athletic objectives.

Other Criteria

Mostly coxed rowing in “big boats” 4+ 8+ and 4x.

Small boat rowing depending upon individual ability and objectives.

Includes lightweight rowing.

12 male and 8 female

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3.1.3 Under 21

Objectives:

Develop skills

Mature as an athlete

Club events at Taree,

NSW Championships

Grade/Club events at National Championships

NSW State grade championships (Trickett)

General Regattas

Head Racing

Team Boat Training

Based on performance in competition and testing, athletes may progress to HP&E squad

95% of NRCE prognostic times

Reasons:

Provides a high volume Feeder Group to HP&E and Senior programs

Transition from school into club programs

Recruitment Tool

Other Criteria

Entry point to SRC for most new members

Mostly coxed rowing in “big boats” 4+ 8+ and 4x.

12 male and 12 female

3.1.4 Junior Development

Objectives:

Learn to Row program

Grade regattas

NSW Championships

Develop Coaches

Team Boat Training

Build relationships between the club and young members.

Reasons:

Point of difference with other clubs.

Large resource of potential athletes in the local community

Provides a link to the local community

Provides a source of athletes for the club program and future HP&E

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Recruitment Tool

Allows us to develop a broad base of athletes at Sydney Rowing Club by promoting junior development in local non-rowing schools and from rowing schools, providing specific opportunities for rowers from schools with established rowing programs, recruiting athletes early from rowing schools, and recruiting athletes from NTID programs.

, Other Criteria

Entry point to SRC for most new members

Mostly coxed rowing in “big boats” 4+ 8+ and 4x.

12 male and 12 female

Ages 14+

3.1.5 Masters

Reasons:

Competitive members

Fastest growing sector within the Australian rowing community.

Valuable source of members in terms of achieving the club’s overall objectives

Valuable means of connecting with former rowers

Objectives:

RNSW Age regattas

RNSW grade regattas

Interstate head racing events.

NSW Masters Championships

Australia Masters Championships

State Team Selection

Masters World Games

Other Criteria

Team Boat Training

Coaching provided for team boats only

Small boat coaching on a user pays basis.

3.1.6 Recreational Rowing

Objectives:

Enjoyment

Health benefits

Engagement with former rowers who may not see Masters rowing as an attractive proposition.

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Reasons:

It’s good for the club and good for the sport.

Other Criteria.

Team Boat rowing

16 members total.

3.1.7 Coaching

Objectives

Provide clearly defined opportunities for members to pursue a distinct coaching pathway

Provide coaching resources for the club’s programs.

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4. IMPLEMENTATION

This section deals with the means by which the club’s strategy will be implemented and its objectives achieved.

A: Develop a recruitment program for quality athletes

1. Develop a Talent Identification and Junior Development Program for boys and

girls from schools which do not offer rowing. 2. Recruit experienced rowers from schools targeting Year 12 but also Under 16

and Under 17 rowers. 3. Encourage those athletes who have been identified by NSWIS or NRCE

through their NTID testing to join SRC.

B: Improve athlete retention of athletes and performance on the water

1. Develop a suitable SRC program for athletes from schools.

2. Prepare program plans for activities within key rowing squads:

HPE group & Club (U21 and Senior) programs

Winter training (for all)

Squad season training

Equipment rotation

Camps operation and management

State and National Championships 3. Define a coaching structure/hierarchy through which we can engage with

potential part time paid and volunteer coaches.

Responsibilities

Objectives

Standards

Code of coaching.

Coach education.

Mentoring by “senior coaches” from within the membership. 4. Set out specific objectives for SRC performance on the water. Proposed criteria

to measure ourselves each year as a measure of our recruitment and coaching:

The Number of State championship medals consistently over the next five years.

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Secure National medals within 5 to 10 years (all categories – whichever has best chance)

NSW point score – target club premiership.

C: Improve the Regatta Structure within NSW and Australian Rowing

1. Work with RNSW and RA to improve the regatta structure to provide enhanced

opportunities within each category.

2. Lobby to maintain access to Waterways and minimise the grown of traffic on the river.

D: Improve the “Culture” of Sydney Rowing Club

Positive peer support and attitude to fellow members

Training and competition standards.

Develop a Leadership group within the athletes

Teamwork

Our public appearance

Assist with marketing and recruiting

Behaviour and discipline.

Contribution by individuals to the club and its objectives.

E: Advertise, Market and Promote Sydney Rowing Club so it projects the targeted image into the community

Program objectives

Recruiting

Website and Facebook

News about our members. Conclusion

The board of Sydney Rowing Club has endorsed this Strategic Plan for the club’s rowing program and has developed the associated Action Plan. It is the intention of the board that the Strategic Plan will be reviewed and the results returned to the board at the May meeting of each year. At this time any proposed adjustments will also be considered by the board

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5. SRC ACTION PLAN

The Action Plan will be produced separately and revised each season.