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Launch of New Indoor Rowing Project in Middlesbrough
November 2010 saw the launch of the latest indoor rowing initiative, this time in schools and colleges across Middlesbrough.
The grant from the Steve Redgrave Fund, delivered in cooperation with the School Sport Partnership, saw 11 schools and three colleges benefit from the indoor rowing scheme which will provide each institution with five rowing machines and accessories. Machine providers, Concept 2, will also train teachers to link up the rowing machines for competitions on a local, regional or national basis and provide teachers with ideas on how to incorporate rowing into the curriculum.
The project aims to incorporate rowing into PE classes and ensure that all pupils have access to high quality physical education and sport in a school or college setting. Sir Steve spoke to pupils about the importance of taking part in curricular and extra curricular physical education during a special assembly at Oakfields Community College. Sir Steve said:
"It's been fantastic to see everyone take to the machines with such enthusiasm. The great thing about this initiative is that it's something that all pupils can get involved in - especially appealing to those who consider themselves 'non-sporty'. I'm sure it will become a positive force in the schools and show the benefits of getting involved and being active, which is the long term result we're looking for."
To celebrate the launch, Sir Steve then started a competition which saw teams of six representatives from schools and colleges across Middlesbrough go head to head in a rowing relay race.
Raam Update
The Sir Steve Redgrave Crew crossed the breadth of the United States of America in 7 days 3 hours and 42 minutes, which was under their target of 8 days.
This was a great achievement given that Sir Steve sustained severe injuries, which thankfully he has made a good recovery from.
Congratulations to the team: Sir Steve, Malcolm, Ian , John Peter, Francis, Nick and Jonathan.
Thanks also for all the donations we received, especially the main sponsor Medtronic.
Generous donations were also made by Winton Capital Management and Thomsit.
Thanks also to Land Rover, BA, Specialized and Rapha for their support.
Race Across America
Race Across America is Sir Steve's latest challenge. Joined by a team of former rowers and friends Steve and his team are competing in the toughest cycle race in the world. Crossing from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, a distance of 3,000 miles in just 8 days, crossing 14 States, 2 mountain ranges, 100,000ft of climbing (that's more than 3 times the height of Mt Everest!) and every extreme of weather; this is the ultimate cycling challenge.
To support this amazing challenge please donate here.
Southampton Launch - 2009
Sir Steve Redgrave visited Redbridge Community School to mark the launch of his school's indoor rowing initiative in Southampton. The £100,000 grant from the Steve Redgrave Fund, delivered in co-operation with The School Sport Partnership, sees 13 schools and two colleges across Southampton benefit from the indoor rowing scheme.
Sir Steve kicked off the launch with a relay race between representatives of the participating schools and colleges. Julia Tucker-Blackford from The Southampton School Partnership said: "The rowing scheme adds a new and exciting dimension to the current PE curriculum, and will motivate and challenge pupils who presently have a low level of activity."
Rochdale Launch - 2008
The Steve Redgrave Fund is delighted to announce its partnership with Rochdale Borough.
Working with Concept2, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Rochdale Healthy Schools and the Schools Sports Partnership for Cardinal Langley and Siddal Moor, the initiative will provide 16 Rochdale schools with rowing machines, helping them to increase physical activity in the Borough.
This will lead to an annual Rochdale schools indoor rowing competition and will also provide schools with an additional tool to help them bring learning to life by utilising the rowing machines with other parts of the school curriculum such as Mathematics and Science.
The Steve Redgrave Fund
On February 1 2008, the Steve Redgrave Trust became the Steve Redgrave Fund as it joined with Sport Relief and became a part of the Comic Relief family.
After successfully exceeding his target of £5 million raised in five years, Sir Steve decided to refocus his charitable endeavours and work alongside Sport Relief.
The Steve Redgrave Fund is now focused on building on the projects which have already proved so successful in areas such as Birmingham, Glasgow, Sandwell and Cardiff -
addressing problems associated with lack of exercise, obesity, social inclusion and confidence among children and young people in Britain.
Money raised by the Fund will be shared equally with Sport Relief which supports vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both in the UK and in the world's poorest countries.