Get Going, Get Rowing is providing school children across Northern Ireland the opportunity to take part in sport.
The Sport NI Sports Systems Investment, made possible by National Lottery Players, has provided funds to purchase new rowing machines to expand the programme into Northern Ireland and ensure more children get the chance to try out rowing.
Get Going, Get Rowing has been in operation in Ireland since 2014 but in September 2024, thanks to support from Sport NI and the Northern Ireland branch of Rowing Ireland, Caroline O’Brien was hired as Northern Ireland co-ordinator.
Since September, the initiative has visited six schools in six week blocks across Belfast, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Dundonald, Bessbrook and Crossgar
The project is continuing to expand in 2025 by also starting in Hillsborough, Larne and Lisburn including two special educational needs schools.
The programme also provides a free opportunity for pupils to have a goat rowing with coaches available to help them get into competitive rowing should they wish to do so.
See below for images from a recent session at Lagan College in Belfast.
Caption 1: Get Going Get Rowing co-ordinator Caroline O’Brien with coach Stewart Thomson and pupil at Lagan College, Belfast.
Caption 2: (Back Row L-R) Sport NI rep Adam Johnson, Lagan College Teacher MrsEmma Stewart, Rowing Ireland Coach Stewart Thomson, Get Going Get Rowing Co-Ordinator Caroline O’Brien and pupils (L-R) Holly Neill and Ellen O’Brien.