----- Original Message -----

From: Jim Cooper

To: * Youth Rowing

Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 5:58 PM

Subject: Re: [youthrowing] Youth recruitment

Byron Walthall wrote:

I am interested in hearing about how crews recruit new rowers other than by word of mouth.  The following approaches have helped us:
1   Visibility at the sponsoring YMCA
2   Visibility of those school crew clubs
3   Recruiting from within my patient population (I am a family pratice physician)
4   Asking our existing rowers to recruit specific types (coxswains, athletic boys, or whatever)
5   Publicizing everything possible in our local newspapers (events, successes, etc)
6   Having an upbeat web page with contact information.

Hi Byron,

Good, sound ideas. Almost exactly what we have done (at best) and what we'd like to do more of.

The 'word-of-mouth' recruitment by the athletes to their friends is by and far THE most effective tool in this box. The parents, as well you know, must be behind them, too. Parent-to-parent recruiting is just as effective.

We try to run an attractive and easy to participate learn-to-row program for Juniors. In the Summer we host (5) consecutive 2-week camps of rowing for 3-4 times a week, just to give them a taste. We keep the cost down, and it gives them a chance to experience the sport without the full commitment.

In the Spring and Fall we have a 'Development Team' which rows 3 days a week for 90mins only. Some youth just can't commit to the 5-day per week, 3-hours-per-day practices of the Racing Team. (We take ANY athlete who can make the commitment for the Racing team. Qualification is entirely based upon commitment. We'll make them worthy with this training, no matter where they come in....)

We are fortunate to be included in our local Memorial Day Parade. T We dress up the trailer and load it up with boats and crossed oars and flags, and have the athletes erging on board, and others carrying LTR handouts in their uni's.

We stress the website (www.norwalkriverrowing.org shameless pitch) for more info.

Marsha,

I hear your frustrations loud and clear. One step at a time. Life is NOT fair! Congrats on your pending center.

Coop

 Byron Walthall wrote:

I am interested in hearing about how crews recruit new rowers other than by word of mouth.  The following approaches have helped us:
1   Visibility at the sponsoring YMCA
2   Visibility of those school crew clubs
3   Recruiting from within my patient population (I am a family pratice physician)
4   Asking our existing rowers to recruit specific types (coxswains, athletic boys, or whatever)
5   Publicizing everything possible in our local newspapers (events, successes, etc)
6   Having an upbeat web page with contact information.