Our Impact

For Erin, sport had often meant having to work around the things that made it harder to join in.

She lives with cystic fibrosis, which can affect her breathing and had made some activities—particularly those centred on running—difficult to take part in alongside her friends. She still wanted to be involved in after-school sport, but sometimes found herself helping the teacher rather than participating because she worried about falling behind.

Then Erin joined an Active Row Bristol after-school indoor rowing club.

At first, she was unsure whether rowing would be another activity where she could not keep up. Her coach, Hannah Cooper, showed her that she could row in time with her friends while controlling her own pace and effort. Everyone could take part in the same session, even though each young person was working at a different intensity.

“The following week, she was rowing before the session had even started,” Hannah remembers.

For Erin, that made a real difference.

“Rowing is great because I can hang out with my friends,” she says.

Indoor rowing gave Erin an accessible way into sport, but it also opened up a path to the water. With the health considerations linked to her condition, this needed to be approached carefully. At her first school on-water session, Erin initially expected to watch from the bank. Instead, Hannah involved her in helping to coach the group—a valued role which kept her at the heart of the session while they explored what could safely be possible next.

Working with Erin and her mother, Hannah developed a plan for her to cox a stable quad. Coxing allowed Erin to be an active member of the crew through communication, decision-making and leadership, while keeping risk to a minimum.

Erin thrived. She described having “the best time ever” and went on to cox her school crew to second place at the Bristol On Water Festival.

Her confidence continued to grow. During Active Row Bristol’s summer Open Club sessions, Erin began rowing in the stable quad too. She now attends Open Club each Monday and her school rowing club every Tuesday, rowing or coxing according to how she feels on the day.

“Being able to do this with my friends is the best part,” she says.

The change has been about much more than learning a new sport. Erin is now more willing to try new things and more positive when she encounters a challenge. She is no longer asking whether she will be able to join in; she is thinking about what her crew can achieve together—including their ambition to beat the boys’ stable quad at Open Club.

Erin’s experience shows what inclusion can look like in practice. With thoughtful coaching, family involvement and the willingness to adapt, a young person who had sometimes watched from the sidelines has found a place in the crew: rowing, coxing, competing and returning week after week.

“It’s amazing I get to go rowing every week—and sometimes during lessons.”

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Jude Dimech first discovered rowing through Redhill Rowing Academy.

Until then, he had not found a sport that felt like the right fit. While friends excelled at football, cricket and other activities, Jude was still looking for something he could enjoy and develop in his own way.

Through Redhill Academy Trust’s rowing programme, delivered in partnership with LYR, Jude progressed from indoor rowing at school to regular on-water sessions with Head Coach Chris McManus.

What began as curiosity soon became something more. Each session brought visible progress, new skills and another challenge to work through.

Learning to row a single scull gave Jude the space to develop confidence at his own pace. He learnt that getting something wrong, trying again and even capsizing were all part of learning a new sport.

Chris saw a change in the way Jude approached those challenges.

“He can just be himself, try, fail, try again, and no-one is judging him.”

That confidence became visible both on and off the water. Jude, who had sometimes felt overshadowed by the sporting achievements of friends, found an activity in which he could flourish through his own effort.

“Physically he is a tall boy, and now he stands that bit taller,” Chris said.

Jude describes himself as happier and more confident since taking up rowing.

“I think this could be the sport for me.”

At the time this story was shared, Jude was rowing every week and preparing to continue his journey with Nottingham and Union Rowing Club, where he would have the opportunity to train regularly and keep developing on the water.

His ambition was simple:

“Carry on, do more, get better.”

Jude’s story reflects the purpose of Redhill Rowing Academy: creating an opportunity for young people to discover a sport they may never otherwise have tried, and offering a clear route from school participation into community rowing.

For Jude, that opportunity became a source of confidence, self-belief and a sense of belonging that reached well beyond the water.

Marcus Mumta first tried rowing in Year 8 after his principal encouraged him to attend a trial session.

He had no previous experience of the sport, but approached the opportunity with an open mind. In the initial testing, Marcus achieved the top score. From there, he began to make rowing a regular part of his week.

Marcus now attends after-school sessions as well as additional training opportunities, including sessions reached through minibus provision. His progress has come not only from strong performance, but from a consistent approach to training. Coaches describe him as humble, quietly determined and willing to put in the work needed to improve.

For Marcus, rowing provides both a physical challenge and a sense of achievement.

“At the end you have a sense of relief and pride.”

Over time, he has also grown in confidence beyond the rowing machine. Once quieter in school settings, Marcus has become more comfortable engaging with peers and staff. He now supports younger students during sessions, helping them develop their technique and feel more confident trying the sport.

“It has helped me believe in myself more.”

His discipline has also been reflected in competition. Marcus won the Year 9 boys’ race at the Bristol NJIRC virtual hub and has continued to use additional training opportunities to build on his performance.

Looking ahead, Marcus is keen to progress both indoors and on the water. He wants to improve his NJIRC performance, develop his technical skills and explore opportunities to compete beyond school.

“I want to get faster and try new strategies.”

Marcus’s story shows what can happen when young people are given an opportunity to try something new, the support to keep developing and a space in which to build confidence. Through Active Row Bristol, he has found a sport that challenges him, a routine he is committed to and a chance to lead by example.

Bertie first encountered rowing through a curriculum-time session at school.

Already sporty, playing rugby and always keen to be active, he had not yet found a sport that truly felt like his. Teachers described him as “shy and cheeky”, and that quietness showed in his first rowing sessions. He worked hard, but often stayed in the background socially.

Rowing offered something different.

After trying the ergos at school, Bertie joined the after-school club. Soon afterwards, he began attending LYR Open Club sessions in Bristol. That progression - from a first school taster to regular training - marked the beginning of a change in how he saw himself as both an athlete and a teammate.

At the time this story was shared, Bertie was rowing up to three times a week: twice at school and once at Bristol Open Club. Moving onto the water had quickly become a highlight of his week.

He described rowing as “so fun” and said it made him feel “happy and confident” as well as physically strong.

Alongside the enjoyment came ambition.

During NJIRC trials at school, Bertie set himself the goal of reaching the top five Year 8 boys. When he narrowly missed out, he responded with determination. Over several weeks, he repeated his three-minute test more than a dozen times, working to improve his distance.

Eventually, he recorded a personal best of 704 metres - enough to reach tied second place.

The performance mattered, but so did the way he got there. Bertie had learnt to respond to disappointment by setting a goal, practising consistently and trying again.

Rowing also helped him build friendships across different year groups. Staff noticed a clear growth in his self-belief, resilience and willingness to be part of the group.

What began as a single session at school became a route into community, competition and personal progress. At the time this story was shared, Bertie was looking forward to NJIRC and already excited about the prospect of racing on the water afterwards.

For Bertie, rowing had become more than a sport he enjoyed. It had helped him discover a focused, confident side of himself - and a team that inspired him to keep raising the bar.

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Jericho Cabalan first encountered London Youth Rowing at 14, when his PE teacher introduced a weekly Active Row session on Wednesday mornings.

With a couple of rowing machines at school, Jericho began training regularly. He found himself becoming fitter and improving week by week. A natural competitor, he embraced the challenge of training for the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships.

Before long, he also had the chance to get out on the water - his favourite part of his experience with LYR. He enjoyed the teamwork involved in moving a boat together and, with a laugh, the sense of challenge that came with it too.

For Jericho, rowing offered more than an opportunity to be active. It helped him build resilience, perseverance and confidence in his ability to improve.

“So far, I’ve loved it. It was a fantastic opportunity. It helped me become more competitive, more resilient, and able to push myself even further - not just mentally, but physically.”

Jericho also recognised that the skills and experiences he had gained could help him beyond rowing. He included his involvement with LYR in his personal statement when applying to LDE UTC, seeing it as an experience that had helped shape him.

Three years after first trying rowing, aged 17, Jericho took the next step: volunteering to run LDE UTC’s Active Row Club. He wanted to share both his enthusiasm for the sport and the knowledge he had gained with other students.

What mattered most to Jericho was seeing someone else discover that rowing could be for them too.

“When you support someone else and you see them succeed, it sort of fills you with a bit of pride - saying, ‘Yes, I helped that person.’ Then another person comes along, they get inspired and the whole cycle repeats.”

Jericho’s story shows how an introduction to a new sport can grow into something more. He began as a young person trying rowing for the first time; he went on to encourage others to take that same first step.

For Jericho, rowing was fun, competitive and challenging. It was also an opportunity to grow - and one he chose to pass on.

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Tami joined The Green School for Boys in September 2019 as a Year 7 student and soon decided to give indoor rowing a try.

Tami has neurological and physical disabilities, uses a wheelchair and walking frame, and has a visual impairment. He chose to row on the erg from his chair, using predominantly his upper body. That meant learning a new technique, building strength and finding the approach that worked for him.

In 2020, Tami travelled to NJIRC at the Copper Box Arena, where he was delighted to achieve a personal best distance. At the time this story was shared, he had continued to focus on improving his own performance.

Ahead of an operation, Tami was determined to take part in the competition. He posted a distance at school in the week before his procedure and achieved a new personal best of 256 metres, improving on his previous mark of 247 metres.

For Tami, representing his school at NJIRC was an achievement in itself.

“Being able to represent The Green School for Boys and participate in the NJIRC competition is a massive achievement for me. It was a struggle at first as I had to train my upper body and learn the correct technique of rowing.”

He also spoke about the satisfaction of improving despite limited training during COVID.

“Despite not being able to train much this year due to COVID, I was able to beat my personal best from last year of 247m and set a new personal best of 256m.”

Pete Banks, Assistant Headteacher at The Green School for Boys, saw Tami’s motivation and determination throughout his involvement with Active Row.

“I never cease to be impressed with Tami’s motivation to improve on his own performance, and his ability to retain and act on information given to him during coaching sessions.”

Tami’s story demonstrates why inclusive opportunities matter. With thoughtful coaching and the chance to take part in a national competition, he was able to set his own goals, represent his school and celebrate his progress.

At the time this story was shared, Tami was looking forward to returning to training after his recovery period, taking part in future indoor rowing events and hopefully experiencing rowing on the water.

At Cavendish, Jonah found an activity that matched his energy, competitive spirit and enjoyment of working with others.

The rowing machines at school gave him an accessible way to train, challenge himself and focus his determination. Alongside a small group of other students, Jonah helped create an informal rowing squad: encouraging one another to improve, chasing personal bests and aiming to be the school’s highest-ranked competitor at the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships.

For Jonah, though, rowing was not only about competition. It was also about teamwork, shared enjoyment and being part of a group.

When London Youth Rowing featured in Sky Sports’ Aquaphobia documentary, Jonah spoke about what he valued most about the sport.

“We have funny moments, we have fun, it’s to do a lot with teamwork and that’s what I like. I like working as a team to get things done successfully. I just love water sports.”

The opportunity to row also helped Jonah think about the skills he could use beyond sport. His ambition was to become a musician, and he recognised similarities between rowing in a crew and making music with others: rhythm, focus, creativity, communication and the ability to stay in sync.

“I think my experience at LYR has helped me with my aspirations for the future in becoming a musician. The skills I’ve learned at LYR help you to become a musician as well. For example, in music you need to memorise things, be creative, and have rhythm to express yourself, and that’s the same way it is in rowing.”

For Jonah, rowing created a space to be energetic, ambitious and part of a team. It gave him the chance to develop confidence and perseverance through a sport he enjoyed - and to see how those same skills could support the future he imagined for himself.

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Asia’s connection with London Youth Rowing began through both Brixton Wings, a Lambeth-based youth group, and her school, La Retraite.

She had been part of Brixton Wings for seven years. In the early days, she watched older young people rowing and wondered what it would be like to take part herself. Over time, she found her own place within the group - first as a participant, then as someone increasingly willing to take responsibility and encourage others.

Asia describes the impact that the Active Row programme had on her confidence.

“The LYR Active Row programme has been very influential in my life, by helping me with my communication skills. I was a very shy person before, and now I am able to project my voice and do public speaking.”

She also found that rowing gave her a positive way to manage anxiety.

“I’ve never got tired of it, and it helps calm my anxiety.”

As Asia’s confidence grew, so did her leadership within Brixton Wings. She coordinated numbers before sessions through the group chat, set an example for younger members through her commitment and discipline, and began supporting coaching sessions.

Asia led warm-ups and cool-downs, ran whole sessions at Brixton Recreation Centre and had the opportunity to coach during on-water sessions at the Royal Docks. These were practical chances to develop the communication, organisation and responsibility needed to lead others.

Medg Sullivan, coordinator of Brixton Wings, reflected on the change he had seen:

“I would say Asia has developed in confidence - borne out by her willingness to take leadership and take risks. She is also more adept at standing up for her rights and taking responsibility for her actions.”

At the time this story was shared, Asia was preparing to progress to university. She hoped to join a rowing club there - something she had not imagined for herself before becoming involved with LYR - and to continue developing her coaching experience.

She also looked forward to competing at her final NJIRC before beginning that next chapter.

“LYR have supported my journey so far, and I hope they continue to do so with other students.”

Asia’s story shows the value of sustained opportunity. She began by watching others take part, found confidence through rowing and then became someone who helped younger members of her community feel welcome, capable and supported.

For Asia, LYR was not simply a route into a new sport. It was a space to develop her voice, take on responsibility and lead from the front.

On a cold Monday in October, Khalil Smith was preparing to row a single from the pontoon when his boat tipped and he ended up in the water.

His session was over, and he still had the journey home to Walthamstow ahead of him. But he returned on Wednesday ready to try again.

That determination became a defining part of Khalil’s time at LYR.

Khalil first joined LYR through summer Open Club sessions at the Royal Docks and Olympic Park. He had rowed before and understood the basics, but he arrived having experienced a knock to his confidence. At first, he found the coordination and balance needed on the water difficult and occasionally capsized.

With the encouragement of his coaches, and a willingness to keep practising, Khalil began to build his confidence again. Over time, he became a capable rower, able to go out in a single and work effectively with teammates in doubles and quads.

Asked what he enjoyed about LYR, Khalil highlighted both the environment and the people.

“Firstly the facilities: the water, the pod, the tank which help improve physically—as well as the coaches. They’re friendly and welcoming.”

When school term began, Khalil moved on to the Boat Club. At the time this story was shared, he was training three times a week while managing a long journey to the docks, A-levels and commitments outside school.

The change was not only visible in his rowing. Initially quiet and reserved in conversation, Khalil became a well-integrated part of the club: joking with other members, building friendships and setting an example for younger rowers through his consistency.

“It’s helped me socially; I’ve got to meet new people.”

Khalil’s story shows that progress is not always immediate. Confidence can take time to rebuild, particularly in a sport that asks young people to take risks, learn from setbacks and keep showing up.

For Khalil, LYR offered welcoming coaching, a place to train and a community in which to grow. Through persistence, he developed as an athlete—and as a more confident young person.

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When Rahimah joined the Active Row programme at Kingsbury High School in Brent, rowing was completely new to her. She had never used a rowing machine or experienced the sport before.

From her first session, however, she was drawn to the challenge. With encouragement from her coach, Lawrence, Rahimah began attending regularly and made rowing part of her week. Even while fasting during Ramadan, she continued to come to Wednesday training sessions.

Over time, Rahimah grew into a positive presence within the group. By Year 11, she was encouraging other young people to aim high, work towards their own goals and keep going when training felt difficult. Her support helped create an environment where her teammates could challenge themselves too.

For Rahimah, Active Row was about more than learning a new sport. It was a chance to build friendships, discover her own strengths and feel part of a team.

“LYR has definitely had a massive impact on me. It’s fun and encouraging whilst always fitting to be a challenge for all ages. I’ve definitely made a lot of new friends and also learned a lot of things about myself.”

Her PE teacher, Dominique Withey, saw the value of the programme across the school:

“The Active Row programme gives fantastic opportunities to all students that opt to attend the rowing club. The on-water rowing sessions really bring the sport to life, and the children have thoroughly enjoyed these sessions. For most of our students, they would never have had the opportunity otherwise to participate, and it is wonderful to watch them thrive in these environments.”

Rahimah’s story shows what can happen when young people are given access to a new activity, encouragement from a trusted coach and the opportunity to keep coming back. Through Active Row, she found a sport she enjoyed, a team to contribute to and the confidence to lead by example.

One piece of advice from Lawrence stayed with her: “It’ll never be easy, but it will get easier.”

For Rahimah, that message became part of the challenge - and part of the reward - of trying something new.

Daniela Raguckaite first tried rowing through a six-week Active Row block at St Angela’s Ursuline Academy in June 2022.

She quickly showed a feel for the sport. Her coach, Sarah, remembers Daniela and a friend taking a boat down the dock with such enthusiasm that they briefly disappeared from view. Daniela produced strong scores on the rowing machine, represented her school in competition and was encouraged by her teacher to attend a British Rowing Performance Pathway testing day delivered through LYR.

Daniela trialled in October and began training with the East London Rowing Performance Academy the following month.

The Academy is a joint project between British Rowing, London Youth Rowing and the University of East London. It aims to identify young athletes with the potential to develop in the sport, providing access to coaching, equipment and an athlete-support network. While the long-term ambition is to support athletes towards the Great Britain Rowing Team, it also creates a route into performance rowing for young people from a wider range of backgrounds.

At the time this story was shared, Daniela was the longest-serving member of LYR’s Academy group. Her coaches valued her determination, discipline, consistency and willingness to learn.

Reflecting on her first months in the programme, Daniela described how much her confidence had grown.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot. I’ve grown in confidence and knowledge; initially I didn’t even know what squaring and feathering was. I had my first race yesterday and I definitely feel more confident.”

She had also become more comfortable rowing independently.

“Before, if I was rowing with someone else, I’d be a bit calmer, and I’d be stressed if I was in a single. Now I’m equally as confident in a single.”

Rowing had quickly become an important part of Daniela’s life. Although she came from a sporting family - her father was a world champion cyclist before moving to London - she had not been pushed into sport. Before LYR, she had tried swimming and gymnastics, but rowing was not something she expected to discover or enjoy.

“Rowing to me before seemed such an unpopular and unheard-of sport, and now it is basically my life. I go to it almost every single day. Every time I come home from school I’m excited for it - I love it.”

Daniela spoke openly about the discipline the sport required: early mornings, winter training and the challenge of learning from difficult sessions. She also recognised the confidence and team connection that came with committing to it.

“It’s brought so much determination and discipline into my life. It’s brought me so much confidence, and it is something I can share with people.”

She was proud of her Lithuanian heritage and spoke about her ambition to represent Great Britain one day, while continuing to value where she came from.

For Daniela, the Academy was an opportunity to see how far consistent effort could take her.

When asked what excited her most about the future, she said: “To see how much I can improve and where it can take me.”

Daniela’s story shows the value of creating clear pathways. A first experience of rowing at school led to a place in a performance programme, new technical skills, greater confidence and a growing ambition for the future.

“Rowing makes me feel like I belong.”

Through Active Row Islington, coached by Marija Karalyte, She’nyah Kinsiona discovered more than a new sport. She found a growing sense of confidence, connection and belonging.

Before joining the programme, She’nyah was shy and anxious. She rarely took part in sport, often spending lunchtimes quietly in the playground with one close friend. The idea of getting on a rowing machine - let alone into a boat - felt far outside her comfort zone.

Active Row opened the door gradually.

Each week, She’nyah challenged herself to go a little further. On the rowing machine, she set herself the goal of breaking the 2,000-metre mark. With every milestone, her confidence grew.

The summer brought an even bigger step: rowing with her classmates on the waterways of the Olympic Park. What had once felt daunting became an opportunity to learn, laugh and work together as part of a crew.

Over time, uncertainty turned into pride.

She’nyah began speaking out more, making new friends at sessions and encouraging other young people when they tried rowing for the first time. She had seen for herself that trying something unfamiliar could lead to achievements she had not thought possible.

Her next goal is to compete at NJIRC - a national event that had once felt unimaginable.

She’nyah’s journey reflects what Active Row can offer: a welcoming first opportunity, the support to keep trying and a team in which young people can find their place.

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Since 2012, Yvette Jarvis, Head of PE and Dance at St Angela’s Ursuline School, has been a committed supporter of London Youth Rowing and Active Row Newham.

She was drawn to rowing because it offered something different for her school: a chance to broaden the sporting offer and engage students who might not otherwise see themselves as athletes.

Before working with LYR, Yvette’s experience of rowing was limited. She had used indoor rowing machines at the gym and watched events such as Henley Royal Regatta and The Boat Race. Seeing rowing at the London 2012 Olympic Games strengthened her admiration for the sport, but it was LYR’s inclusive approach that showed her what rowing could mean in a school setting.

“It always seemed an elitist sport - but LYR changed that completely.”

With equipment, coaching and ongoing support from LYR, rowing became an established part of life at St Angela’s. The programme offered students a new way to be active, set goals and feel part of a team.

“Many of my pupils only joined a school club because of rowing.”

Yvette saw the impact go beyond physical activity. Students developed confidence, resilience and leadership skills, while the wider school community had more reasons to celebrate effort, progress and teamwork.

Her long-term commitment helped create opportunities that extended beyond school sessions. Former students, including Daniela, went on to progress through LYR pathways and into the East London Rowing Performance Academy.

For Yvette, this is what makes the programme valuable.

“It’s about more than rowing - it’s about confidence, community and opportunity.”

“LYR’s focus on inclusion has changed how I see what sport can do for young people.”

Yvette’s story demonstrates the difference a committed school partner can make. By bringing rowing into school life and creating a welcoming route into sport, she helped more young people discover what they could achieve.

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