Star Club is a highly successful and major centre for Junior rowing in the Eastern Region. Membership numbers around 70 ranging from 12 – 18 years. Star Club has consistently won medals at the National Rowing Championships and record about 100 wins at open competition over all age groups each year. Performance winners, improvers and other special awards are celebrated at an annual Junior Awards evening.

Juniors enter the Star Club Development Scheme conducted under the ARA (the sport’s Governing Body) Proficiency scheme and join groups according to age and ability. As they develop the junior athletes are able to join more competitive squads preparing for open competition up to national representative level, or to continue enjoying rowing and sculling as a recreational. Older children may choose to join senior squads as rowers or coxes and enjoy occasional competition but predominantly enjoy rowing at a general fitness and recreational level.

All Junior athletes are supported by qualified coaches including National level High Performance coach funded by the Bedford Junior Rowing Group.

Standard entry is via a number of links involving County middle and senior schools where pupils are offered rowing under ‘Dry Start’ (indoor) and ‘Wet Start’ – water based schemes.

Contact the Club Captain, Chris Callow, or the Junior Squad Captain, as shown below, for more information about current opportunities.

Events Calender 2008-2009 Season

Please click here for the PROVISIONAL schedule of events the junior squad anticipate attending during the 2008-2009 rowing season - Provisional Junior Events List 2008-2009

Training Programmes 2008-2009 Season

Please click below for the each month junior squads training programmes -

September:

Senior Boys September 2008 Training Programme

Senior Girls September 2008 Programme

WJ15 and MJ15 September 2008 Training Programme

What is it like to be a Star Club Junior?

Rowing isn’t just for beef cake muscle heads (although strength does help) it takes endurance, finesse and a lot of self determination!! Along with that, there are inspiring ups and drastic downs but it is guaranteed someone will always be there to create fun and draw a smile out of a sad face.

We currently train about 10 times a week, with a well earned day off which no doubt will be spent with fellow rower. There is always pressure to achieve our very best so, every rower leaves the club tired, but happy.

There are so many opportunities in rowing to explore different countries and cultures by participating in events and also taking part in training camps. The possibilities are endless.

Many skills are learnt whilst rowing which help all parts of life. Social skills are refined so that you can ‘hold your own’ in any situation that you may find yourself in. The knowledge that you gain at rowing and the self determination that develops aids education as each key skill is enhanced; public speaking, team work, problem solving etc. Also there is always somebody to give help either in a sporting or academic context as everyone had their own individual strengths.Don’t worry though, its not all hard work, we do all have a lot of fun!! Our junior philosophy is that if you train hard you deserve to party hard(er) ;-)

Each year every junior awaits awards night to see if they are the lucky one to win out of a range of awards; best boy, best girl, most improved etc (best looking not included).The absolute best part of rowing is achieving your goal, whether it is a personal best, finishing a task or the ultimate; medalling in a National or Global event!!

It’s not lie, rowing is a tough rollercoaster with ups and downs but the ride is well worth it! We hope to see you in the near future.

Junior Representatives

Carmen Failla and Sam Butler