Strength in Diversity

Rowing BC is taking a purposeful and proactive approach to growing and diversifying the rowing community, with the intention of developing a membership which better represents all of BC. This work is taking place at Rowing BC’s 40+ member organizations across the province. We are creating new partnerships to help us reach out to previously under-represented demographics of participants, creating custom-made and innovative program models and opportunities for rowing experiences, and expanding the range of equipment utilized to make sure there really is a place in rowing for all who want to be involved. Rowing BC staff are working hands-on with coaches and volunteers from local rowing organizations to ensure this new initiative is done in a sustainable way that will create lasting impacts for years to come.

This initiative purposefully considers the demographic of the community surrounding each rowing club, in an effort to make rowing clubs better reflect their host communities. In addition, a focus is put on women & girls, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI2S+, BIPOC individuals, local First Nations, low-income families, newcomers to Canada, youth and seniors. The goal is to lower barriers to entry as much as possible. For some of these new participants, fees become a barrier. Your support ensures that new programs and experiences are financially sustainable for the host organization without putting undue pressure on the participants themselves.

In Summer 2021, 56 new participants from the Vancouver area were able to access custom-built rowing opportunities through Rowing BC’s grow rowing pilot project in partnership with the False Creek Rowing Club and Rowing Canada Aviron. Participants included autistic youth and their adult support workers, low-income youth and their adult mentors, and BIPOC young adults.  These 56 individuals filled all of the available spots in programs, and every program had a waitlist!

In Spring and Summer 2022, grow rowing initiatives took place at 4 local rowing organizations for participants from 6 non-rowing partner organizations. In total, 190 new participants had an exposure to rowing through these custom-made programs. Programs included introductory options, supported rowing continuation options, and reciprocal training for rowing coaches and staff from the non-rowing partner organizations. In Fall 2022, Rowing BC will be hosting our first Stem 2 Stern community boat building opportunity inviting participants from our non-rowing partner organizations to engage with the community in a new way – rolling up their sleeves and getting comfortable with hand tools to build a boat from scratch!

So far, we have had the privilege of working with the following partner organizations to create custom-made programming:

• Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
• Boys and Girls Club, South Coast BC
• Canucks Autism Network
• Colour the Trails
• Girl Guides
• Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria
• MOSAIC
• University of British Columbia – KIN465

In 2023 so far, 11 local rowing clubs have begun their own programming for equity-deserving groups. As just one example, check out this story on a program for Ukranian Refugees taking place in Port Moody. 

The opportunities below can provide funding to support individuals and/or local rowing organizations to reduce the financial barrier to sport participation.

• KidSport – Families can apply for up to $400 a year in funding per child to support the participation fees of a sport program that is at least 1x per week for 8 weeks in duration. Applications must be submitted before the beginning of the sport season.
• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Individual Child Grants – Available to families who meet certain financial eligibility criteria. Up to $300 available per activity for activities at least 1x per week for 5 weeks in duration (or a five day summer camp program). Applications must be submitted before the beginning of the sport season and can take 6-8 weeks for processing.
• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Community Development Grants – Two streams of support available (Operational Support and Programming Support). Organizations serving children/youth with financial need and or disabilities are eligible to apply. Three application intake periods per year: October (for Jan – Apr programs), February (for May – Aug programs), and June (for Sept – Dec programs).
• RCA Community Sport for All Grants – Funding is available to support programs designed by local rowing organizations for the purpose of targeting equity-deserving groups (Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQQIA+, Newcomers to Canada, and Women & Girls). Most grants range from $10,000-$30,000. The next application period will open sometime in 2023 for Summer/Fall programming.
• RISE Grant – Available to youth/young adults who are or have been in government care. Up to $1000 available to support one-time or continuing participation in sport programs including registration fees, equipment, and/or travel costs.
• viaSport Rally Together Grant – Available to provincial and local sport organizations who experienced at least a 20% loss in their membership due to the pandemic. A total of $4 million has been allocated to the BC Sport Sector for this grant opportunity. Applications are due November 4, 2022.

Know of another funding opportunity that could apply to these programs? Let us know. Email [email protected]