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All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing Announces Annual Charity Dinner
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing is to hold its first annual dinner on 27 February 2020 in support of The RowUK Foundation.
Hosted by the Group’s Co-Chairman, Lord Thomas of Gresford QC OBE, the dinner will be held on the House of Lords Terrace and will welcome MPs, Peers and non-Parliamentary Members of the Group (clubs, regattas, rowing organisations and individual rowers and fans).
Throughout the evening, the Group will raise funds for Leeds-based rowing charity The RowUK Foundation, which uses rowing to raise aspirations and build confidence in young people.
Places are on sale now to all in the Group; anyone who would like to come to the dinner and help an excellent cause should visit www.parliamentaryrowing.org and sign up. Details will then be emailed.
Announcing the dinner, Lord Thomas said “I am delighted to be hosting the first annual dinner for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing; it is a great way for Parliamentarians to support rowing and I am very much looking forward to a fantastic evening, and raising money for RowUK.”
Founder of RowUK Ben Cox gave his thanks to the Group, saying “I am grateful to the Group for working with us and supporting our activities. I’ve been involved in the Parliamentary Rowing Group for some time now, and it is clear Members from both Houses, as well as those who play a role in the Group from outside, recognise the role rowing can play in working with young people and helping them achieve their potential.”
11 June 2019: British Rowing
Agenda
- Apologies
- Minutes of Previous Meeting
- Matters Arising
- Correspondence
- Group Activity Report
- Annual Dinner
- AOB
University of Cambridge summary of the impact of sport on academic attainment.

Tideway and proposed ‘Regatta London’ discussed in Parliament
Last night the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing welcomed representatives of Tideway to Westminster, and received an update on the project and its plans to help launch Regatta London.
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Andrew Triggs Hodge made a presentation to MPs, Peers, honorary and associate members focusing on the work that the Tideway is doing to clean up the River Thames by building a 25km super sewer under the river.
There was also a detailed discussion of Regatta London, a challenge event being proposed for 29 September which would see participants row, kayak, canoe or SUP over 12 miles through London. As well as raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, the event would aim to celebrate the river and the environment though sport.
Speaking after the meeting, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing Co-Chair Lord Thomas of Gresford said “it was a pleasure to welcome Andrew to Parliament and to hear about the work that Tideway is doing to reconnect London with the River Thames, particularly through rowing.
“We look forward to supporting Tideway’s efforts, including the plans for the Regatta London event in September which would provide a unique opportunity for people to celebrate the river and raise money for charity.”
Andrew Triggs Hodge said: “A key element of the Tideway project is reconnecting people with the River Thames, and we have a number of initiatives, including the proposed Regatta London event, which are focused on engaging people with the river, getting involved in sports and activities they haven’t tried before, and having fun.
“It is vital that we clean up the River Thames for future generations, which is important for those who use the river for sports including rowing, but also that we promote the opportunities that the river provides to take part is sport and leisure activities.
“Tideway looks forward to working closely with a range of stakeholders, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing, to ensure that we make the most of the opportunities to engage people with the River Thames.”
For more information on the Tideway project visit www.tideway.london.
For more information on Regatta London visit www.regatta.london.
2 April 2019: Tideway and Regatta London
Agenda
- Welcome
- Apologies
- Minutes of previous meeting
- Matters Arising
- Correspondence
- Group Activity Report
- Parliamentary Boat Race
- AOB

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing hears from AHOY Centre in Westminster
Last night (12 February) the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing heard from representatives of the AHOY Centre in Westminster.
MPs and Peers were joined by honorary and associate members of the Group, and heard about the AHOY Centre’s work to provide opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk youths to take part in water-based activities.
The AHOY Centre works with hundreds of young people every year, offering opportunities and training. All activities and programmes are focused on teaching transferable and employable life skills as well as providing opportunities for British Rowing and Royal Yachting Association national qualifications.
Speaking after the meeting, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing Co-Chair, Lord Thomas of Gresford, said “it was a pleasure to welcome representatives of the AHOY Centre to Parliament, and to hear about how they utilise watersport activity, including rowing, as an educational tool for children and adults.
“I congratulate all involved with the centre on their efforts, and hope that they are able to further expand their work in the coming years.”
AHOY Centre Challenge Fundraiser Dan O’Sullivan said “the AHOY Centre was founded in 2004, and since then has provided hundreds of adults and young people with opportunities to learn life skills and gain qualifications through watersport activities.
“Rowing is a significant component of the AHOY Centre’s work, and our rowing challenges generate around 60% of funding for our projects.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to address the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing, and look forward to continuing to work with partners to develop opportunities for even more adults and young people.”
For more information on the AHOY Centre, visit www.ahoy.org.uk.
12 February 2019: AHOY! Centre
Agenda
- Welcome
- Apologies
- Minutes of previous meeting
- Matters Arising
- Correspondence
- Group Activity Report
- AOB
4 December 2018: RowUK
Agenda
- Welcome
- Apologies
- Minutes of Previous Meeting
- Matters Arising
- Correspondence
- Group Activity Report
- AOB
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing elects Officers for 2018/19
Last night (11 September) the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing held its annual general meeting and elected Officers for 2018/19.
The Group, which comprises Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, seeks to support and promote the good work that is done in rowing at all levels. It meets regularly while Parliament is sitting to hear from speakers from across the sport.
The following Officers were elected for 2018/19:
Co-Chair and Registered Contact: Dr Matthew Offord MP (Hendon)
Co-Chair: Lord Thomas of Gresford
Co-Chair: Sir Peter Bottomley MP (Worthing West)
Co-Chair: Sir Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough)
Co-Chair: Lord Paddick
Co-Chair: Rebecca Pow MP (Taunton and Deane)
Co-Chair: Angus MacNeil MP (Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Secretary: Jim Fitzpatrick MP (Poplar and Limehouse)
MR Sport were retained as Secretariat.
Speaking after the meeting, Group Co-Chair and Member of Parliament for Hendon, Dr Matthew Offord MP, said “I am delighted to be re-elected as Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing, which will continue to promote the sport in Westminster, our local communities, and across the United Kingdom.
“As we look towards Tokyo 2020 and beyond, the Group has an important role to play in helping to secure a bright future for rowing, and will continue to provide a strong voice for the sport in Parliament.”
Co-Chair Lord Thomas of Gresford added “rowing is a fantastic sport for all, that can have huge health and social benefits for those involved.
“I look forward to continuing to support the sport by working with other Members, as well as honorary and associate members from across the world of rowing.”
Annual General Meeting: 11 September 2018
Agenda
- Minutes of previous AGM
- Election of Officers
- Secretariat Support
- Finance Statement
- AOB