Sir Steve Redgrave launches Belfast rowing initiative at
Queens University Belfast
Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave visited Queens University yesterday to mark the launch of a new
rowing initiative being rolled out across Belfast, thanks to the Steve Redgrave Fund.
To celebrate the launch, Sir Steve was welcomed to Queens and Belfast by Professor Sir Peter
Gregson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queens University and Niall O Donnaghaile the Lord
Mayor of Belfast and started an indoor relay between local secondary schools and community
groups.
The Olympic champion said:
“It’s really exciting to be here today and see the rowing machines ‘in action’. Everyone has been
really enthusiastic about the initiative and it’s so rewarding to see. Sporting activity is essential for
children’s growth and development – and rowing is a great way to do just that. I’m sure the
programme will be a huge success.”
The £100,000 grant from the Steve Redgrave Fund, delivered by Queen’s University Belfast in
partnership with Belfast City Council and Belfast Education and Library Board, aims to develop and
deliver a new community rowing programme for the City of Belfast that will improve the health,
fitness and well being of young people.
The fund works with Comic Relief to harness the power and passion of sport to change lives for the
better. It has already helped over 100 schools across the UK purchase rowing machines and provided
training and support to help teachers add value to all areas of the curriculum using the machines.
This programme will be delivered in four local schools, four community centres and at Queens rowing
academy within Physical Education Centre at the university. During the first year of the programme 55
indoor rowing machines will be distributed between schools and community venues, with the aim to
build and promote the sport of rowing across the city.
Photos of the event can be seen here
