Recruitment

One of the biggest events in the upcoming year for any club at the University of Roehampton is the Freshers Fayre, an opportunity for all clubs associated with Sport Roehampton to showcase their sport and the social aspects associated with it to the incoming freshers. This year the club welcomed back a lot of familiar faces but no club can be allowed to grow stale and we were fortunate enough to have over 50 sign-ups from students new to rowing. First, second and third years all embraced the opportunity and it’s safe to say that we were more than a little excited at the prospect of teaching and welcoming them to the family because at rowing, we are first and foremost a family.

 

 

(L-R: (L-R: RURC President Claudia Afeltra and

returning senior Verity Tonge)

 

Getting sign-ups is one thing but retention is also important and so we moved onto the Taster session, at one of our regular Wednesday sessions, and this was tailored to allow the prospective freshers an opportunity to properly experience the key aspects of rowing – unfortunately this doesn’t include actual rowing as land sessions prior are a necessity – but it was a fun day that encouraged everyone to get involved. Regardless of previous experience, the Taster session was designed to allow integration between seniors and freshers whilst allowing them to mingle amongst themselves! Tank and ergometer sessions were in place to give a taste of the sport itself, whilst social secretaries Gavin McMahon and Tilly Russell led a fun “sports day” themed session on the Barn Elms Rugby Club.

(Pictured: the three ‘key sessions’)

 

To top it all of the Club hosted a BBQ at Barn Elms Boathouse, the perfect chance for us all to get to know each other before heading out to the social!

(Pictured: Seniors and Freshers unite)

 

What Taster session would it have been if the R.U.R.C. didn’t give our prospective freshers a full experience of what it’s like to be a rower? The day was topped off – after a well-deserved rest for all involved – with a trip to one of our local hangouts, the Railway in Putney, followed by a trip to Fez. What is a Wednesday without Fez? It was a great night and it left us even more excited for the year ahead.