Help save our Rowing Club

Aim

To replace existing unsafe access to the river Bann for generations of rowers to come in the greater Coleraine area

Who are we?

Bann Rowing Club has been offering rowing opportunities to both the young, and the not so young, in the greater Coleraine area for over 180 years and is highly respected as the training ground for many superb athletes, with consistent success at NI and GB regattas. The Club has also proven to be invaluable in providing many National, International, World and Olympic stars a solid foundation during their formative years in the sport. Currently the Club has 70 competing rowers ranging from 13 to 66 years of age; it is the oldest sporting club in Coleraine and one of the oldest rowing clubs on the island of Ireland.

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Why are we crowdfunding?

After all these years and all the success the future of rowing at Bann is at risk.

The wetting and drying effects of the twice daily rise and fall of the tidal River Bann has caused the wooden steps, by which the rowers access the river, to rot. The result is that they are now rapidly becoming a health and safety hazard. If something is not done soon the steps will be in such a poor condition as to make them unusable, thereby removing access to the river. Without their replacement there will only be one outcome - the end of rowing at Bann Rowing Club!

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How we’ll spend the money raised

The cost of replacing the steps is £45,000. The Club is, to all intents and purposes self-funding, and the membership, along with some friends of the Club have contributed £25,000 to date which is sufficient to purchase the materials for the re-fit. The current lack of government support, particularly the unavailability of that made available post COVID, severely limits options to secure the much needed balance of £20,000 required for the expert installation and it is simply out of reach for the members. Simply put, without this money we cannot move the step replacement project forward, but the alternative is too difficult to contemplate!

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Community impact

We believe there is a strong community will to support the Club and ensure its future for the next 180+ years. Consequently, we are asking you to make a contribution to help us pay for the installation of the steps and thereby keep the Club open and offering rowing opportunities to many generations to come.

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How you can play your part

There are two simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay, we need your support now because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Please share our project on your social media pages and ask folks to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

This project successfully funded on 20th November 2023