For the first Rowing Ireland Club Spotlight we are looking at our newest club, Ballina Rowing Club.
Ballina Rowing Club’s Chairman Joe Doherty sent in the following address on the clubs formation and vision going into 2021/2022.
There’s something very calming and therapeutic about sitting on the Quay on Ballina’s River Moy Estuary. The river on high tide, stretching to town on your left, out to Killala Bay on your right and Belleek Woods across the river with warm the sun above the tree line. It really is quite majestic. And that, I am delighted to say, is the setting for our newly established Ballina Rowing Club.
That delight was further enhanced last week when we received word from Pat Kiely that our application for affiliation to Rowing Ireland was ratified by Rowing Ireland Board of Directors. A milestone for us that helps crystalize our ideas for Ballina Rowing Club, which paves the way for us to tangibly implement our vision and plans.
Our vision is to establish Ballina Rowing Club with an emphasis on recreation and fun, where our members and guests can row and fully enjoy the natural resources and beauty that we are blessed to have on our doorstep. Over the coming years we aspire to develop our facilities and position ourselves to host regattas and other similar events. Our target for 2021/2022 is to officially launch Ballina Rowing Club, get boats on the river and invite people to ‘give-it-a go’. From there we will develop out membership. We also intend to pursue competitive rowing when a clear enthusiasm to do so exists. And there’s every chance that might happen sooner than we anticipate! The level of public interest in the club leads me to believe setting up Ballina Rowing Club is not only a good thing to do, it’s the right thing to do!
The quality of people who have engaged thus far is beyond my expectations. We have a wonderful mix of people with rowing and coaching experience, water-safety qualifications and organisation management backgrounds. All have demonstrated a creative, ‘can-do’ attitude and share our vision for the club. The resources and structures we have in place, I believe, is a firm platform to develop our plans and ensure success. My heartfelt thanks to you all for your dedication, enthusiasm and commitment.
Finally, I would like to most sincerely thank all our sponsors to date who took a leap of faith and helped us realise our vision when our plans were pretty conceptual. I would also like to extend my thanks to Pat Kiely, Neville Maxwell and the many Rowing Clubs we have contacted for their friendship and help to date. You all have been brilliant.
So, when you plan to visit Ballina, be sure to call on us. You’re assured a warm and friendly welcome from wonderful people who will make your visit along the famous River Moy one to remember.
Sincerely,
Joe
Rowing Ireland’s Club Spotlight
If you would like your club to feature on Rowing Ireland’s Club Spotlight, contact info@rowingireland.ie
