News & Results
Latest NewsAgecroft supports the Baton of Hope
29 June 2023
On Thursday, 29 June some of our GB performance program athletes took part in the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen, opening up necessary conversations and prompting appropriate actions. The Baton of Hope is touring across the Uk for 2 weeks, raising awareness of suicide and bringing people together. Started by former journalist Mike McCarthy in memory of his son, he wants to make a change and ensure that the death of his son is not in vain. The Baton began in Glasgow before visiting various cities including Manchester before ending at Westminster, London. The Manchester leg began at Agecroft Rowing Club, where our athletes teamed up with Mike Palmer from 3 Dads Walking to take the baton on the first part of its journey. Mike sadly lost his daughter Beth to suicide and has since been raising awareness and funds alongside 2 other dads for Papyrus. You can check out their journey here:- https://batonofhopeuk.org, The start girls have spent the last couple of weeks teaching Mike to row and he was thrilled to join them in a coxed quad for the day. Alongside Mike, the crew was made up of Lauren Barclay, Charlotte Dixon and Harmony Noi, with Izzy Bates coxing. Stephen Hitchen and Lauren Auchterlonie provided support on the day, ensuring that they could be followed by various media crews all helping to spread the message and raise awareness. For more information on the Baton check out: @thebatonofhope on Instagram or via their website at batonofhopeuk.org. Together we can help support each other, reduce stigma and save lives. Coverage on ITV News: 'Baton of Hope arrives in Salford & Manchester to raise suicide awareness'. Obituary for much loved Robin Dowell
18 December 2022
Robin Dowell, a popular member during his time at Agecroft Rowing Club, sadly passed away, a couple of days ago on 16 December. During his time at Agecroft, from 2005 to 2008, he was one of the first cohorts of the World Class Start programme. He took part in a number of major events incl. runner-up in the Visitors' Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 2007 (Agecroft / Reading M4- composite). After leaving Agecroft, Robin took on a career as a rowing coach, becoming a GB Rowing Team coach before taking on, most recently, the position of Chief Coach of the Swiss national rowing team. Robin (40) passed away at Lake Sarnen, Switzerland while preparing for a training session with some of his athletes. The thoughts of everyone, who had the pleasure to know Robin during his time at the club, are with Robin’s family and friends at this sad time. Record Agecroft Entry for 2022 Fours head!19 November 2022
31 of our Senior athletes raced at the prestigious Fours Head in London last weekend. This is our highest ever entry for this event - with 7 crews (4 mens and 3 womens). Our fast growing Senior Women squad even had to leave some at home due to insufficient trailer space!
Race conditions were excellent with many long-standing records being broken. Slightly mixed fortunes for Agecroft Crews - the men had all 4 crews placed in the Top 150 (out of 490 entries) with our Quad coming 2nd for the third year running in their event. The women were a little unlucky with our top women's coxless four being speared by another crew early in the race, resulting in boat damage that ruined their race. We now look forward to a similar showing at Eights Head in March 2023. Medal for Graeme Thomas at the 2022 World Rowing Championships25 September 2022
Agecroft's Graeme Thomas took Bronze in the Men’s single sculls (M1x) at the 2022 World Rowing Championships at the Labe Arena in Racice, Czech Republic. From a total of 40 entries, Graeme made it to the A final for what he said "...was the tightest race. Totally blown!" European Champion, Melvin Twellaar of the Netherlands was quickest out the blocks; however, reigning World Champion, Oliver Zeidler of Germany moved through to lead by 250. Great Britain’s Graeme Thomas was in bronze medal position from the start, but was pushed hard by New Zealander Jordan Parry to the line. Club captain, James Harris said: "Everyone at Agecroft is delighted for Graeme, after a hard summer training programme he has achieved the podium finish he was looking for at the World Championships. We could not be happier for him. "Graeme continues to provide inspiration for many of our juniors and, at a time when we are increasing the number of inner-city schools we work with through the new Greater Manchester Youth Rowing programme, inspiration is exactly what many of the youngsters need." Final result: 1.GER, 2.NED, 3.GBR, 4.NZL, 5.NOR, 5.GRE Tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II10 September 2022
Agecroft members came together to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; giving thanks for her service and dedication to the nation. United in our grief, as we express sorrow at her passing on Thursday, 08 September 2022. Our club is about community and bringing people together, in good times and in sad. Members came down to the club to respectfully pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen by holding a minute’s silence. We all then gave three cheers to celebrate her glorious reign and a life well lived, ahead of the weekend's training sessions. 
Trio of Boats Named in Honour of Agecroft Coaches and Rowers30 July 2022
Three new boats have been named after successful former Agecroft athletes Ellie Lewis and Zac Lee-Green, and former coach Hamish Burrell. Ellie, Zac and Hamish have all gone on to represent GB in our sport. Hamish Burrell, started work at Agecroft Rowing Club in November 2004, kicking off our GB 'Start' programme, and Athletes developed through the scheme at Agecroft include Olivia Whitlam who, under Hamish’s coaching, won Under 23 World Championships Gold in 2007 and then went on to reach the final of the Beijing Olympics; and Graeme Thomas with numerous word rowing successes including most recently winning the Men’s single sculls (M1x) at the 2022 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland. Zac Lee-Green, a success of the GB 'Start' programme, and under Hamish's tenure, made his GB debut in the 2010 World U23 Championships in Brest and won a fine bronze medal in the lightweight quad. He also won silver at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton in the lightweight men’s quadruple sculls. Ellie Lewis another graduate of Agecroft's British Rowing Start programme, stepped up to join the GB Rowing Team senior squad in 2017. At under-23 level, Ellie won a fine bronze medal in the lightweight women’s quad sculls at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Linz, Austria. Our 2 new coxed quads have been bought ready for Greater Manchester Youth Rowing to start this September. The third boat is our new Masters 8+. Thank you to Booth Charity for the donation towards the coxed quads. We look forward to welcoming local schools down to learn to row. Many thanks to Ellie, Zac and Hamish for visiting the club for the boat naming ceremony, we are very proud of you all! Gold for Graeme Thomas on The Lake of Gods10 July 2022
Agecroft's Graeme Thomas has won the Men’s single sculls (M1x) at the 2022 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland. After a bronze medal at the first World Cup this year, Graeme won Great Britain’s first men’s single sculling gold medal in over a decade. Graeme had an impressive start, along with Spain’s Jordi Jofre Senciales and French sculler Matthieu Androdias. After Senciales seemed to fade, Graeme established a 1/4 length lead at the 1,000m mark. Bulgaria’s Kristian Vasilev came through to second place, testing Graeme, but sprinting to the line Graeme got the gold (in a time of 6:40.90), with a late surge from Germany’s Marc Weber to secure third place. Final result: 1. GBR / 2. BUL / 3. GER / 4. CAN / 5. ESP / 6. FRA. Graeme said to British Rowing: “Years ago, I read a rowing book which talked about coming to Lucerne and it being a special place. Ever since I read that book it added an extra level to coming here and, yes, I’ve won here before but to come here and win in the single is just so special. It did give me that extra little something because for so long I’ve wanted to have a go and never had the opportunity to, and here this weekend I’ve won every race and have seized that opportunity so I’m just really happy.” 100km Row For Change + 160th Anniversary
This is September the club welcomes anyone affiliated with the club, past or present to an 160th Club Anniversary Family Fun Day. Taking place in and around the clubhouse at Salford Quays throughout the day on Sunday, 12th September 2021.
On top of this we are hosting one of the UK's Centurion Challenge events happening that day across the country, with the club supporting one of our athletes to row 100km up and down the Ship Canal and River Irwell between Salford Quays and Manchester City Centre, throughout the day's festivities. This is in aid of our Row for Change programme. Click here for full details. COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Latest Statement UPDATED: 17 MAY 2021
Following the recent Government announcement on the staged release from the third national lockdown, British Rowing has updated their guidance. Rowing at Agecroft has resumed, where all squads are back on the water in boats of any size. Procedures in place to ensure the safety of all members include, boat booking, signing in, mask wearing, hand cleaning, and equipment washing. The gym, lounge, kitchen and changing rooms remain closed. For those interested in competitive rowing again, click here for BR details on return to competition. Full British Rowing guidance on COVID-19 (v12): https://www.britishrowing.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/210514-Managing-COVID-19-v12.pdf 2020/21
Learn to Row taster programme returns
Considering taking up a new sport? Ever thought of taking up Rowing? Come along and give it a try at Agecroft's Taster Day. Learn to Row taster programme has returned after the COVID-19 break... and is safe and possible to operate with limited numbers. There are two sessions on Sunday, 30th May 2021. Full details on the Learn 2 Row page. 
A newly refurbished gym at Agecroft
Thanks to an army of socially distant volunteers last summer our gym got a well-deserved face-lift during the quieter time as a result of the pandemic. There hadn't been any decorating done since the clubhouse opened 16 years ago and it is fair to say it needed a bit of a refresh! Carpet was replaced, walls scrubbed and repainted, lights replaced and we even got our own Agecroft logo on the wall to remind us who we are and to encourage us during those long erg sessions. A few months on, it is bittersweet that the newly refurbished gym has remained shiny and clean for far longer than originally expected. We hope to get everyone back and using the spruced up facilities as soon as possible, but we will certainly keep encouraging the increased levels of cleanliness! Lockdown training Over the past 9 months Agecrofters have become true lockdown training experts. With the arrival of each lockdown, ergs have been shared out across squads and some impressive training mileage has been racked up across the club. Last year had the added benefit of fabulous weather and motivation was a little easier to muster when outdoor erg sessions, cycles and runs were taking place in balmy sunshine. January 2021, with its horrendous weather and short days, has been a bit of a steeper hill to climb. Luckily our ever enthusiastic squads have been there to encourage and motivate one another to keep active, not only for the long-term goals of the club but also for one another’s mental health. The Agecroft Juniors have been taking part in all types of zoom events through lockdown. From online yoga to cardio and circuits, they have all come together to keep the training momentum. The Women’s squad are lucky to have 2 PTs and a yoga instructor amongst them, offering circuits and yoga sessions over Zoom to complement the group erg sessions. Tough erg sessions are still taking place with ergs in living rooms, kitchens, spare bedrooms and even under tarps in the garden. Special mention to Rosa for persevering following a tarp failure in the January snow – Brrrrr! The Agecroft COVID effort We are endlessly proud of all of our members. Not only are they committed athletes, but they are a group of very talented and dedicated professionals. Over the past year a lot has changed and our members have shown immense resilience through all of the upheaval. We would like to say a special THANK YOU to our key-worker members. Working through a pandemic is not easy for anyone, but for those who go out to work every day ensuring that the NHS carries on doing its sterling work and our schools keep running life has been pretty tough indeed. From everyone here at Agecroft – THANK YOU! |
2019/20
New ARC club officers Over the past 20 years Agecroft RC has seen an incredible transformation from a small Salford club, with no real home, to a full open club with fantastic facilities that has seen success at all levels around the country. This transformation was driven by Denis O'Neill, Kevin Maynard & Steve Hitchen, all of whom have helped deliver some outstanding results over the recent years from the base in Salford Quays. Crews have won at all of the Henley races, including the Royal Regatta, and all levels of National Championships, and they are consistently among the top provincial clubs at the Tideway races in March. With the establishment of a Start programme at the club, Agecroft athletes have gone on to represent their country at European, World & Olympic championships. The club has never been in a better position. However, all three recognise the need to let the club grow and adopt new ideas for the growing membership, so are stepping down as Officers of the Club, effective from the start of July 2019, though will continue to volunteer their time, predominantly to support athletes on the water, but also to handover to the new management team. The Club owes these three humble gentlemen a huge debt of gratitude for the countless hours of their time to build the club, quite literally, to what it is today. The new management team of Matthew Lord, Grace Miller and Andy Jepson will be led by James Harris as the new club captain. James and Matthew have been members of Agecroft since the early 90s, and established the Masters squad in 2005/6 that has since seen considerable success. Grace is the current Women's Captain and oversaw the women's squad getting 4 crews to the semi-finals of Henley Women's Regatta in June. Andy has been a key part of men's senior squad for a number of years that has seen several Jackson Trophy wins, as well as at Metropolitan and Marlow regattas. The new team are developing plans for the next stage of Agecroft's future and for continued success on the water. 2019/20 Results SummaryChester LDS - wins in WJ15 1x & WJ18 1x Agecroft Head - 20 wins Head of the Lune - Wins in J18 2x & J18 1x Fours Head 4th in Open Club 4- band 2 2nd in Open Club 4x band 2 3rd in Open Club 4+ band 3 4th in W Club 4+ band 1 Composite Agecroft crew won W4x band 2 Composite Agecroft crew Open 4x - 4th overall Vets Fours Head Composite Agecroft C4x win, 2nd overall Rutherford Head win in Open 8+ band 3 win in Open 4x band 2 Scullers Head - WJ16 1x 6th in age classification Warrington, Trent & Runcorn Heads all cancelled due to weather Everything else cancelled due to COVID-19 Tyne invitation head - win in WJ16 1x |
