Parliamentary Rowing Group to hold first meeting

The Parliamentary Rowing Group is to hold its first Ordinary Meeting on Monday 18 July, in the Palace of Westminster.

The first meeting of its kind, non-Parliamentary Members of the Group will join MPs and Peers to raise and discuss issues affecting the sport.  At this meeting, the Group will hear from senior officials of British Rowing to gain an overview of issues and developments in the sport and discuss how best it can support.

Further meetings have been scheduled and the Group has put in place a strategy to encourage MPs to join the Group and welcome non-Parliamentary members.  Each meeting will discuss issues and what the Group can do to help the sport, and to hear from guest speakers.

Non-Parliamentary members are encouraged to join and include individuals, boat clubs, regattas and any organisation with an interest in the sport.

The meeting will be chaired by the Group’s Chairman, Hendon MP Matthew Offord.  He said “I am very much looking forward to the Group’s first meeting of this kind; in particular welcoming our non-Parliamentary Members and hearing from British Rowing about the development of the sport.

“We have already begun working on issues the sport faces, such as seeking to address the lack of television coverage of Paralympic rowing at this year’s Games, and as well as hearing about preparations for elite rowers in both Games this summer, we are keen to hear about rowing at all levels, including recreational rowers at their local clubs.”