About Us

Our Story

LYR was founded by Jim Downing in 2004 in the hope that young people across London would have access to an otherwise traditionally niche sport and in turn help the rowing community become a more diverse, more inclusive environment.

Originally named, ‘Row East London’, our first employee was hired in 2005. We went on to launch the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships in 2007 and officially received charitable status in 2008. Today, LYR employs 9 full-time coaches, multiple part-time coaches and office staff to accommodate working with around 5,000 young people in 120 partner schools and youth clubs across the country

Our Mission

• To encourage disadvantaged young people to be active, and improve their physical, social and mental wellbeing
• To help develop crucial life skills, which are necessary for success in the classroom and the workplace
• To enable young people to participate in the unique sport - indoor and on-water rowing - across London, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability or ability
• To nurturing determination and success in a new generation of rowers

The Board and Senior Management Team of LYR has agreed the following strategy for the 2023-2025 period and will review progress against the strategy each time it meets.