Trentham Juniors: Rowing for the Future

Aim

Raising £6,000 to support Trentham juniors with new rowing equipment, help us grow our small but mighty club on a national stage.

Who are we?

We’re Trentham Boat Club, a small but ambitious rowing club based at the stunning Trentham Gardens lake in Stoke-on-Trent. Our junior squad is made up of dedicated young athletes, most of whom discovered rowing through our low-cost Learn to Row sessions. They train year-round and proudly compete both locally and nationally, most recently winning the Victor Ludorum Junior Award at Chester Regatta 2025. We’re run by volunteers, coaches, and a supportive parent committee.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We’re crowdfunding to raise £6,000 for new equipment to support our growing junior squad. Competing on a national level requires safe, reliable boats and blades, and right now, our juniors often train and race in secondhand or outdated kit.

We’re also applying for Sport England’s Movement Fund, which offers up to £3,000 in match funding. If we hit 25% of our target (£1,500) from 25 supporters early on, Sport England could pledge up to 50% of our total so your donation could be worth even more.

This campaign will help level the playing field for our athletes, many of whom are competing against well-funded private schools and clubs.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We’ll use the funds raised to invest in key equipment for our junior rowers. This includes:

New oars suitable for juniors (£1,200–£1,500)

A double scull (2x boat) – approx. £3,000–£4,000

Replacement safety gear for coaches, life jackets, throw lines, and launch equipment

Contribution toward a second-hand quad (4x) if stretch goal is met

Every donation will go directly into improving access, safety, and opportunity for our juniors. We’ll also share updates on what we buy and how it’s being used.

Community impact

Rowing isn’t traditionally associated with Stoke-on-Trent, but at Trentham Boat Club, we’re changing that. Our junior members come from a wide range of local schools and backgrounds, and we keep our Learn to Row and membership fees as low as possible to remove barriers.

We create access to a sport that’s often out of reach, and provide young people with discipline, confidence, and a supportive team environment.

Beyond rowing, we also use the club for fitness, family events (our Christmas races and yearly regatta are special events for us), and local outreach. With the right equipment, we can grow even further.

How you can play your part

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

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay, early momentum is key to unlocking Sport England match funding!

2. Spread the word. Share our Crowdfunder on social media, with friends, family, and your networks.

3. Offer rewards. Are you a local business? Donate a prize or voucher, and we’ll give you a public thank-you!

4. Fundraise for us. Want to run your own challenge or event? Hit the ‘Contact Project’ button, it’s quick and easy to set up your own page under ours.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made