London Youth Rowing Turns Twenty

For those of us who joined London Youth Rowing in its infancy, it was the opportunity to meet up with past colleagues, board members, funders, and teachers who have done so much to contribute to the success of the charity over the years. For those who have come to know or work with LYR more recently, it was a chance for them to understand the breadth of all that has been achieved since Founder, Jim Downing launched his brain child in July 2005. Our new friends will help LYR write the story of the next 20 years, and we are incredibly grateful to them too, for looking to the future, for sharing our values, believing in our ambition, and committing to our cause.

We’ve come a long way. LYR’s CEO, Matt Rostron - celebrating 19 years at the charity himself - talked everyone present through the programmes, events, people, locations, and milestones that have shaped the organisation’s journey. From an idea on the banks of Henley Royal Regatta, to the biggest junior rowing programme in the world. From the first strokes on the Royal Albert Dock, to over 8,000 young people entering NJIRC last year. Through ground-breaking programmes across the capital - and now the country – Matt had to leave out many more achievements than he shared, such has been the scale of LYR’s impact.

LYR has made a difference to tens of thousands of lives over the last 20 years. Whether it be little more than taking off a school tie to join in an after school indoor rowing club, or pulling on a GB all-in-one to represent their country, every single young person we have worked with is a success in their own right. All LYR has ever wanted, is for young people to try something new, find out a little about themselves and others, and maybe discover a love for the sport which has done so much to shape the lives of those lucky enough to work for this amazing charity.

LYR thanks everyone who joined us on theOlympic Park, and all those who couldn’t be there too. You know who you are, and we thank you for your contribution. Most of all, thank you to all those young people, first across London, and now the UK, for taking the time to sit on a rowing machine, jump in a boat, maybe fall in, but most of all, to give it a go.

Here’s to the next twenty years.