Welcome to the website of Ross Rowing Club.

We are a club steeped in history yet possessing a progressive and proactive attitude to the present and the future.

Our Constitution states that the object of the Club shall be to encourage the sport of rowing at ROSS amongst amateurs, and to provide opportunities for social and recreation activities for members and their guests.

We pride ourselves on being a multi-sport facility incorporating junior football
and cycling and our junior rowing academy is going from strength to strength.

For further information just select from one of the headings to go straight to your chosen menu.

Junior Academy Summer Training READ MORE>>

Ross Rowing Club had it’s beginnings in 1870 when a group of like minded souls decided to form a rowing club.

Meetings were held in the local pub, the Hope and Anchor, and it wasn’t until 1908 that we could boast a boathouse.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since those days and we are currently enjoying an upsurge in fortunes in all disciplines, age and gender.

Our Junior Academy is highly successful and benefits from regular training sessions under experienced coaches.

They compete regularly throughout the season ably shepherded by Junior Co-ordinator, Mark Lindley.

We draw in junior mums and dads and encourage them to participate in the organisation of this busy section.

We also run regular “Discover Rowing” courses for adults and interested persons should contact our Men’s Captain, Ian Howell (rocketdevelopment@supanet.com) who can advise when the next course starts.

Our regatta, which is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend, is a 2 day event with a Veteran and Junior regatta on the Sunday and our main regatta on the Monday.

For more regatta information click here>>.

We are a happy club and all sections work well together conscious that we are One Club who benefit from good club spirit. The rewards are obvious.

We at Ross Rowing Club pride ourselves on our open arm policy embracing new and experienced rowers, large or small, young or old (competitive and social rowers). We recognise that the club's strength lies in its members and encourage Club Spirit both at home and away at regattas.
We are constantly striving to upgrade our equipment and have a healthy programme of boat procurement for all classes of ability.
We have an active Junior section which mixes learning and fun in equal measures.

By its very nature rowing is a healthy, competitive sport and member's successes are based on hard work put in both on land and on the water. We run land based training throughout the winter and have a team of ARA qualified coaches to oversee river activities.

We have a unique facility, geographically positioned on the famous horseshoe bend of the Wye and are proud to represent this area in competitions in South Wales, the Midlands and on the Thames.

The First World War caused great social upheaval. The white collar bastion was breached and during the early 1920s the working man began to row. The club at this time was very much under the control of Major Backhouse, who coached many successful rowing crews. Jack Farmer started rowing then and he was to have a long association with the club. Many well known local names feature in the history of the club at this time. Fred Kemp (Chair) of Kemps timber merchants of Ross, Jack Capewell (Sec), manager of the Alton Court Brewery, as well as Bill Lindley, schoolmaster at Cantilupe Road Council School and many others.
Artie Ryall, one of the original Larruperz, who was inolved in the building of the clubhouse, was the regatta raft steward before the Second World War. He would turn up resplendent in his whites and blazer at 11 o'clock and only then could the regatta begin. He called out to the crews on a hand-held megaphone. Spectators were often ferried to the far bank and there was one unfortunate drowning accident. Lawrie Llewellyn of Phoenix Coal also resplendent in whites, blazer and skipper's cap, would act as an umpire from the comfort of his luxury cabin cruiser.
Ross regatta trophies were always very highly prized, all being of solid silver and pleasant design.
Many club members joined up in the Second World War and some gave their lives. Two were Battle of Britain pilots. The stroke of a coxed four, Hurricane pilot Dixie Dean (of Dean's Toy shop) was killed in the Battle of Britain. Stroke of another coxed four, Spitfire pilot Cyril Babbage (local butcher's son), was awarded the DFM. Tony Wright, no 3 in Cyril's four, was killed flying a bomber and Wilf Phillips, the jeweller, was killed in the commandos.
There was a strong influence in the post-war period from Jack Farmer who brought Danny Baines' famous four up to a very high standard.
It was a purple patch, - in 1947 the seniors won the West of England championshop.
The very first Ladies' four was formed in 1948 and Hereford Rowing Club was persuaded to float a ladies' four also, so that a competetive ladies' race could be introduced for the first time in the 1948 regatta. The river bank was packed for this event and Ross ladies won by a length. It was believed to be the first event of its kind in the provincial rowing calendar.
At about this time electrcity was brough to the clubhouse and a bar was built, licensed and some old faces brought back to run it.
Ross Regatta itself was still quite small. Kemps used to erect the landing stage on the day and the committee boats used to be carted about on Jackson's lorry from regatta to regatta.
An ex-olympic fine four was bought and in the late 1950s an old Buick was bought by the club for transportation. During the early 60s the club declined in spite of the efforts of Eddie Brewster and by the end of the decade it was ready to go under but a small group managed to re-kindle interest.
The old club house was dismantled and there were strong rumours of a ghost - builders heard an unearthly crash when there were no walls left to fall down! The new club house was built and the membership picked up between 1977 and 1979. The new boat store was built in 1985 and the regatta expanded to include 250 crews.
Today Ross Rowing Club is open all the year round and is a base for all sorts of different activities, both sporting and social. The club owns the field close to the club and Ross United Services use the ground.

Please find below Ross Rowing Club access map. The best direction to access the club is from the M50 side of Ross down the Ledbury road (off the roundabout on the A40). At the end of this road take a right at the 1st of two miny roundabouts into Homs Road. Take the next left before Brandon Tool Hire and then the next right onto the club drive. Access for the Regatta however will be straight on past Brandon Tool hire and left into Homs road car park.

Click here for .pdf version>>

Click here for Multimap>>

Ross Rowing Club

Rope Walk, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7BU

Tel: 01989 565436

Please note correspondence should be addressed to;

Secretary;

Ruth Davies, Polperro, Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5LR

Chairman;

Bryn Hughes, 9 Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5ND

For full Committee Members list for 2006 click here>>

To view or print the complete document please click here for .pdf file>>

STANDING ORDERS

(Made by General Meeting)
1. TITLE AND COLOURS

The Club shall be called the ROSS ROWING CLUB and the colours shall be ROYAL BLUE, WHITE & CLARET in accordance with the pattern or patterns ordained by the Committee.

2. OBJECT

The object of the Club shall be to encourage the sport of rowing at ROSS amongst amateurs, and to provide opportunities for social and recreation activities for members and their guests. Ross Rowing Club is a non-profit making organisation.

3. CONSTITUTION

The Club shall consist of a President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Women's Captain, Men's Captain, Secretary, Regatta Secretary, Treasurer, four Trustees, other Officers and Committees as may be elected and Members.

4. MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Club shall be as prescribed in the Rules of the Club from time to time.

5. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

The Club will ensure that the talents and resources of all members are utilised to the full and that no member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, disability, marital status, creed, social class, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant to performance or safety.

6. CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES

The Club accepts the policy and procedures relating to Child Protection, as set out by the A.R.A., and requires all members to accept them as a condition of membership.

7. FINANCIAL YEAR

The financial year shall end on the 31st December, and the Annual General Meeting shall be held between 20th February and 20th March, arranged at such time and place as shall be selected by the Committee.

8. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

The President, Captains, Secretary and other Officers, shall be elected by a ballot if necessary at the Annual General Meeting in each year. Nominations for all Officers and Vacant Committee positions should be in hands of the Secretary not later than ten days before the Annual General Meeting.

Committee Members shall be elected for a term of, two years and one year according to the vacancies available, and not less than half of their number shall retire each year, but shall be eligible for re-election at the Annual General meeting. The Principal Officers and Committee shall carry their responsibilities of office into the following year until the Balance Sheet is passed at the Annual General Meeting. The term "Principal Officers" shall mean the President, Chairman, Captains, Secretary, Regatta Secretary, and Treasurer.

9. POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICIALS

a) President

The President shall normally take the chair at all General Meetings of the club at which he is present and shall regulate and keep order in the proceedings.

b) Chairman

The Chairman will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting to serve until the following Annual General Meeting. In the absence of the Chairman the Vice-Chairman shall take the chair. Should the Vice-Chairman also be absent a member of the elected Committee present, shall take the Chair.

Chairman's Powers and Duties.

The Chairman of the Meeting shall decide upon the points of order and procedure, he/she wishes, shall guide and control discussions, and shall have the power to suspend any meeting for a brief interval for such sufficient cause, and likewise to adjourn it to another date. He/she may also postpone discussion or close a meeting because of the lateness of the hour or other sufficient reason.

c) Vice-Chairman

The Vice-Chairman shall in the absence of the Chairman, take the Chair at Committee Meetings. He/she shall also exercise any such power as shall be delegated to him/her by the Committee.

d) Captains

The Captains shall direct the day to day management of the Club's affairs in accordance with his/her understanding of the Committee's policies and may delegate certain duties to his/her Sub-Captains or others. He/she shall be responsible for the Rowing Programme in particular, and for the selection of oarsmen and the regattas at which they compete. He/she shall also be responsible for the general discipline of the Club members.

The Captain and Woman's Captain shall have joint responsibility for rowing within the Club, and in the event of a dispute between the respective Captains either party may refer the matter in dispute to the Chairman whose decision shall be final and binding on all concerned.

The Captains shall have the power nominate Sub-Captains. Sub-Captains may be co-opted onto the Committee in place of either Captain.

e) Secretary

The Secretary will be responsible for keeping the records of the club, recording and circularising as necessary Minutes of Meetings, conducting correspondence and discharging such other duties as shall be necessary. He/she shall produce at Meeting the previous Minutes for reading and confirmation. He/she shall have copies made of all agreements and contracts entered into by the club, which copies he/she shall file and index in suitable form for reference and examination. The duties of the Secretary shall include the observance of the appropriate Licensing Act in so far as it effects Club Secretaries.

f) Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the keeping of the Accounts of the Club and shall receive the funds of the Club and place them in the Bank appointed and shall report to the Committee on matters relating to the Club funds as they may require. The Treasurer and two other nominated officers shall have the power to sign cheques on behalf of the Club. Any one person acting individually may not exercise this power.

g) Regatta Secretary

The Regatta Secretary is responsible for the organisation and running of the Regatta at Ross.

h) Trustees

(i) All freehold and leasehold property of the Club shall be vested in four Trustees who shall be appointed at a General Meeting of the Club. Such Trustees shall hold office up to a maximum of five years or until death or resignation, or sooner removal at the instance of a resolution duly passed at a General Meeting of the Club. It shall not be obligatory to replace any such vacancies until the number is two, but such vacancies may be filled at the next General Meeting.

(ii) The Trustees shall deal with the Freehold and Leasehold property of the Club in accordance with the instructions given by the Committee or any General Meeting of the Club. Any monies requiring to be invested on behalf of the Club may be invested in the purchase, or upon the security, of such investments as the Trustees, in their absolute discretion, think fit to the intent that the Trustees shall have the same unrestricted powers of investing in all respects as if they were absolutely entitled thereto beneficially.

(iii) Any investments other than property purchased on behalf of the Club shall, at the Committee's discretion, be placed in the name of the Trustees for the time being of the Club or in the name of the Club's bankers nominees. Subject to the prior approval of the Committee, the Trustees may engage a professional organisation to manage the Club's investments. If such management is undertaken the investments may be transferred into the names of investment managers for the time being. The Trustees are authorised to pay the fees of the investment managers, but the fees and the manner in which they are paid must have the prior approval of the Committee.

(iv) Trustees acting under section (ii) above shall be entitled to be indemnified by Ross Rowing Club to the extent of Ross Rowing Club's available freehold and leasehold property and other saleable assets.

(v) Trustees will receive copies of the monthly Committee Minutes and shall be required to attend a meeting with club officers, twice a year, to ensure they are fully aware of the clubs standing and future plans.

i) Committee

The general management of affairs of the club shall be entrusted to the Club Committee, of eight members plus the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Captains, Secretary, Treasurer and Regatta Secretary who shall be members ex officio. All other officers shall be eligible for election to the Committee, but no person shall serve or be elected to serve on the

Members and may authorise the Trustees to provide security for any such loan should the Bank request it.

j) Bar Committee

An elected Committee known as the Bar Committee shall manage the purchase, for the Club, and sale or supply, by the Club, of intoxicating liquor. No arrangements have been, or shall be made:-

a. For any person to receive, at the expense of the Club, any commission, percentage or similar payment from or with reference to the purchase or intoxicating liquor by the Club

b. For any person, directly or indirectly, to derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor, by or on behalf of the Club, to members or guests, apart from any benefit accruing to the Club as a whole, and apart also from any benefit which a person derives indirectly by reason of the supply, giving rise or contributing to a general gain from the normal running of the Club.

k) Borrowing Powers

If at any time the club in general meeting shall pass a resolution authorising the committee to borrow money, the committee shall thereupon be empowered to borrow, for the purposes of the club, such amount of money, either at one time or from time to time and at such a rate of interest and in such form and manner and upon such security as shall be specified in such resolutions. Thereupon the trustees shall, at the direction of the committee, execute such mortgage, deeds and all such documents and make all such dispositions of the club property or any part thereof and enter into such agreements in relation thereto as the committee may deem proper for giving security for such loans and interest. All members of the club, whether voting on such resolution or not and all persons becoming members of the club after the passing of such resolution, shall be deemed to have assented to the same as if they had voted in favour or such resolution.

8. COMMITTEE (and Regulations)

a) Meetings.

The Committee shall meet at least once in each calendar month. The Committee may decide the time and place of their meetings, at which seven shall be a quorum.

Committee meeting shall be open to Senior Rowing or Associate members to observe, but they may not address the meeting without authority granted by the committee and shall not be eligible to vote on any points arising.

The Committee shall, notwithstanding the above, have the right to discuss matters in camera if it sees fit. This power should normally be reserved for discussion on matters of a sensitive or financial nature.

Minutes of the proceedings of the Committee shall be kept by the Secretary and signed by the Chairman following their approval by the Committee at the next meeting. Together with the accounts and records of the club, these shall be open to inspection by any member of the club, on application to the secretary.

b) Voting at Committee Meetings

Each Committee Member present, whether elected direct to the Committee or serving on it ex officio shall have equal rights of voting.

The Chairman of the meeting has a casting vote at all times, which he/she may exercise if he/she so wishes. It is customary for the Chairman only to use his/her casting vote when it is his/her considered opinion that it in the interests of the Club to do so.

Except as otherwise provided for, the vote of the majority of those voting shall decide, and thus a motion on which the voting is equal shall not be carried unless the Chairman in his/her absolute discretion uses casting vote.

c) Co-opting

The Committee shall have the power to co-opt others for specific purposes but persons co-opted to the Committee shall have no vote.

d) Attendance at Committee Meetings.

Any Members of the Committee not attending half of the Committee Meetings called during the year may only continue as a Committee Member if re-elected at the following Annual General Meeting.

e) Rescindment of Resolutions

A resolution passed by the Committee can only be rescinded within the subsequent three months by the decision of four-fifths of the Committee present voting for the rescindment.

f) Power to fill Vacancies.

If an Office becomes vacant, the Committee shall have the power to appoint a person to fill such a vacancy until the next General Meeting of the Club. Only at which such appointment must be confirmed or varied, until the Annual General Meeting only, when the person so appointed must retire but shall be eligible for Election in the normal way. When the Committee under this section has filled the vacancy, it shall be published on the Club notice board immediately and for not less than fourteen days thereafter.

9. PRIVILEGES OF OFFICERS

The Secretary, Treasurer, Regatta Secretary and Captains may be entitled to claim expenses properly incurred in the execution of their duty.

10. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Honorary Life Members shall be admitted to the Club, in recognition of their outstanding and exceptional services to the Rowing Club, on the unanimous vote of the Annual General Meeting and provided that such a proposal shall have been received by the secretary in accordance with Standing Orders relating to notices of motion at the Annual General Meeting. Honorary Life Members shall enjoy the same privileges of membership as Senior Rowing Members but are exempt from the payment of subscription.

11. GENERAL MEETING - CONVENING.

If ten or more voting members of the Club deem it advisable to hold a General Meeting they shall deliver to the Secretary a Requisition in writing, signed by all the members requiring him/her to summon such a meeting, and stating the proposed objectives thereof. The Secretary shall thereupon summon such General Meeting (at which no other business shall be transacted except as may be deemed necessary under Standing Order 8(e)) to he held within twenty eight days from the time of delivery of such requisition. Subject as aforesaid, all General Meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Committee.

The term 'Voting Members of the Club', shall be defined as Senior Rowing Members and Associate Members in good standing.

12. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS - QUORUM

At all General Meetings twenty-five voting members shall be a quorum.

13. GENERAL, MEETINGS - PROCEDURE.

13.1 A motion for the consideration of a General Meeting must be submitted in the name of a person entitled vote at such a Meeting and seconded by another person similarly entitled to vote. If either named proposer or named seconder not be present at the Meeting for any reason, it shall not be invalidated thereby, provided that a similarly qualified person(s) present be willing to propose or second the motion. Notice of a motion for consideration must appear in the summons for the Meeting and no other motion than those on the summons may be voted at the Meeting.

13.2 As far as possible the committee will guide members who submit notices of motion as to their phraseology. No amendment to a notice of a Motion may be accepted at the General Meeting, unless the amendment be on the Summons for that Meeting. The Chairman at his/her discretion may vary the wording of a motion provided it does not alter the purport of the motion in any respect, nor any detail of its intention. No resolution by a General Meeting shall direct the Club Committee on any matter, which is within the Committee's jurisdiction to decide, but this shall not prevent a General Meeting from recommending that the Committee consider taking a certain course of action. A resolution by any General Meeting may be rescinded at an Annual General Meeting, but at any other General Meeting such rescindment, if agreed upon by the majority, shall not take effect until and unless a subsequent General Meeting confirms it.

13.3 The procedure outlined in this Standing Order shall apply similarly to motions submitted for the consideration of the Annual General Meeting. Such motions should be lodged with the Secretary at least 14 clear days prior to the published date of the AGM. Clear days shall not include the date of the lodgement or the date of the AGM. The Agenda shall include Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting, matters due for consideration from a previous General Meeting (if any), the Annual Report, the Treasurer's Report and adoption of Accounts and Balance Sheet, Election of Officers and filling of vacancies on the Committee. A discussion period may also be held if time permits.

13.4 This Constitution shall not be altered, amended or rescinded except by a General Meeting of the club.
A resolution to give effect to a change must be passed by at least 75% of the members present at the General Meeting and voting on this behalf.

14. COMPETING AT REGATTAS,

No Member of the Club shall contend for any public prize under the name or colours of the Club without the sanction of the Captain or of the Committee.

15. BYLAWS.

The Committee shall have the power to make, alter and repeal Bylaws.

16. RULES

The Rules of the Club may only be altered or repealed or new ones made by General Meeting, after fourteen days prior written notice circulated to Members. Notice of a Proposal to alter or repeal any of the Rules, or to add new Rules, shall be given by the proposer to The Secretary in accordance with the procedure laid down In Standing Order 13 and subject to the provisions of that Standing Order, not less then twenty eight days before the General Meeting in which such proposal is to be submitted. The Secretary shall forthwith circulate notice to members.

17. STANDING ORDERS

Standing Orders shall be subject to revision as required , for which purpose the Secretary will at least two months prior to the date of the AGM, advise all Members that Standing Orders are subject to revision at the Annual General Meeting and that any suggestions for alteration or deletion of Standing orders or addition of new ones must be received by him/her within the following fourteen days. Notification on the Rowing Notice Boards and in the Ross Gazette shall serve as notice to all Rowing Club Members. The Club Committee will appoint a Sub-Committee to consider and advise on Standing Orders, which Sub-Committee will meet as early in July as is practicable. Their recommendations will be circulated to all members with the Summons of the Annual General Meeting.

18. VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION

Ross Rowing Club shall only he voluntarily dissolved under the following conditions and procedure:

(a) A resolution must be passed at a properly convened General Meeting that the question of Voluntary Dissolution must be referred to the Club Committee for full consideration and report, or alternatively to a Special Committee of not less than twelve members, six to be a quorum. The Committee must give its recommendations in a written report signed by all the members of that Committee whether agreeing or dissenting, and the report duly submitted to a further General Meeting.

(b) If at this second General Meeting a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting decides to recommend dissolution, notice of a Special General Meeting to consider and decide upon the recommendation must be sent by post to the last known address of every member, giving eight days' notice, exclusive of the day of posting and the day of the meeting. If that (third) Special General Meeting decides to recommend dissolution by a two thirds majority of the members present and voting, a further Special General Meeting must be called to receive for confirmation the minutes of the previous meeting, such confirming meeting to be held no sooner than fourteen days and not later than twenty eight days after the previous meeting, notice of meeting being given in the same manner as previously. The non-receipt by any member of either notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of either meeting.

(c) The Club's Solicitor must be invited to attend these Special Meetings and if present shall take the Chair.

(d) If upon winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the club but shall be given to some other Institution or Institutions having objects wholly or partly the same as the objects of the Club and which prohibit the distribution of its income and property among its members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Club. Such Institution or Institutions to be determined by the members of the Club at or before the time of dissolution and if and so far as effect can not be given to such provision then to some charitable object.

19. PRINTING OF STANDING ORDERS, RULES AND BYLAWS

The Standing Orders, Rules and Bylaws of the Club shall be printed and a copy supplied to every member, or when printing is impracticable they shall be posted up conspicuously in the Club House.

20 AUDITOR
Every Annual General Meeting shall appoint an auditor who shall, at the conclusion of the next financial year , examine the accounting records of the club and report to the members on the income and expenditure accounts and balance sheet that are presented to the next AGM.

21 SAFETY
The committee shall appoint a member to act as Safety Adviser whose duty it will be understand the .requirements of the ARA Code of Practice for Water Safety and advise on their implementation at all .times.

22 DECLARATION

Each member upon joining shall sign the following declaration:
Name: ……………………………………………………………
Upon acceptance into membership of Ross Rowing Club I understand that rowing is undertaken at my own risk. I confirm that I do not suffer from any disability or medical condition which may render me unfit for strenuous exercise*.

I also confirm that I am able to swim a minimum of 50 metres.
Signed: ……………………………………………………………………..…
Parent / Guardian (if under 18) ……………………………………………....
* Should a medical condition exist, this will not necessarily preclude you from membership / participation, but it must be declared. Should you be in any doubt, advice should be sought from your family doctor.

RULES

(Made by General Meeting)

1. MEMBERSHIP OF ROSS ROWING CLUB

Membership of Ross Rowing Club shall be confined to persons whose membership, in the opinion of the Committee will further the stated objects of the Club, the encouragement of rowing at Ross amongst amateurs.

2. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Applicants for membership and members renewing their membership will be asked to sign a form agreeing to abide by the rules and regulation of the club and the sport of rowing. if it is considered by this committee that the granting or renewal of membership would be detrimental to the aims and objectives of this club, the committee are entitled to refuse membership and will provide full reasons for doing so.
Where a member is re-applying for membership any previous debts to the Club must be settled prior to the application. Provided the application has been displayed at the Clubhouse for seven days, the Committee shall have the power to elect to such category of membership as they consider suitable or to refuse or defer the application in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph, taking into consideration any information available.

3. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

Senior Rowing Membership is open to persons who:-

a) undertake to row for Ross Rowing Club, or
b) wish to regularly use the racing craft or any other training facility for leisure purposes.

Non-Competitive Rowing Membership is open to persons who wish to use the club facilities and specified craft for leisure purposes. This membership category will not be permitted to compete at any regattas or head races.

Non-competitive rowers are eligible to book any boat that has been deemed for use by the status of the crew. However, priority may be given to competing crews for certain boats as specified by the captain.

Junior Rowing Membership is restricted to persons under the age of 18 years who undertake to row for the Club. Applicants for Junior Rowing Membership must furnish proof of age.

Junior Rowing Members shall be entitled to the use of the Club premises other than the bar, but shall not vote at any meetings or be eligible to serve on the Committee or hold office in the Club.

A Junior Rowing Member shall cease to be such at the end of the membership year in which he/she attains the age of 18 years.

If a parent of a Junior Member is a current Senior Rowing Member, the subscription fee for the Junior Membership is waived.

Student Membership: is open to persons over the age of 18 who are in full time education and:-

a) Undertake to row for Ross Rowing Club, or
b) Wish to regularly use the racing craft or other training facilities for leisure purposes.

Student Members shall not be eligible to vote.

Associate Membership is open to persons who:-

(a) have rowed for this or any other Club, or
(b) will foster the Clubs activities

Associate Members are not generally entitled to the use of the racing craft or other training facilities, but may do so on specific occasions with the prior authority of the Captain. Specific occasions include Club Sports, Boxing Day row and other similar events at the discretion of the Captains.

Vice President. Vice President's membership give the same privileges as an Associate member, but is for an indefinite period, following a one off payment and does not require annual renewal. Should a Vice President wish to become a Rowing Member they will be required to pay the difference between the Associate Membership and the Rowing Membership for that subscription year.

Patron. The club may appoint a Patron in return for service or other benefit given it by an individual.
The appointment is for 10 years. A Patron shall have the same privileges as an Associate Member.

Social Membership. A limited number of Social Memberships may be granted at the discretion of Committee. Social Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings, nor eligible to hold office in the Club, or be eligible to serve on the Committee or propose or second applications for membership of the Club.

Children (being under 18 years of age and in full time education) of Associate or Senior Rowing members will automatically be given free social membership of the Club.

Membership Subscriptions

The membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March.

Subscriptions - include VAT (if applicable) and ARA Levy
A table of the current subscriptions is attached in a schedule to this document and will be displayed on a notice board in the clubhouse.
Subscriptions must be paid the to the nominated membership secretary by 1st April. Subscriptions for Senior Rowing Membership may be paid, in five equal monthly instalments, by standing order.

Affiliated Clubs: Affiliated clubs, as recognised by the Committee, may use club facilities as Social Members. The respective clubs may then also use facilities as agreed, from time to time, by the Committee.

Arrears of subscriptions will he dealt with under Rule 5.

4. COMMITTEES POWER REGARDING MEMBERSHIP

The Committee shall have the power to grant membership on other terms than those laid down in the rules at their absolute discretion.

If any member shall infringe any of the club rules or Captain's instructions, or act in any way contrary to the general interests of the Club he or she may be expelled from membership, by a two thirds majority of those present and voting, at a Committee Meeting. The voting under this rule shall be by ballot and an expelled member has the right of appeal to the Club in a General Meeting.

5. ARREARS OF SUBSCRIPTION

All subscriptions and debts owing to the Club are due on the 1st April. Any Member who has not paid his/her subscription or submitted a completed Standing Order form to pay by instalment, by the due date or has other debt unpaid by the last day of April shall cease to be a Member of the Club.

A Senior Rowing Member paying by standing order shall cease to be a member if the standing order is stopped prior to the Club's receipt of the fifth and final payment, from the date of the missed payment.

A list showing the names of members who have paid their subscriptions shall be kept posted in the Club House.

6. VISITORS

(a) A member may introduce occasional visitors to the Club. He/she must enter the visitors name and address in the book kept for this purpose. Excisable articles, however, can only he supplied if ordered and paid for by a bone fide member.

The introducing member will be held responsible for the conduct and behaviour of his/her visitors.

(b) In the event of an organised visit by members of a sporting club or association for the purpose of participating in a pre-arranged sporting event with Ross Rowing Club or other affiliated clubs, such members, officials and friends of the visiting club or association shall he entitled with the sanction of the Club Committee or Secretary to purchase intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises on the day of the visit only.

7. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE

Members shall be liable wanton and reckless damage done to boats, sculls, oars or other Club property whilst in their custody or charge and such damage shall be dealt with by the Committee in such manner as the Committee may think fit. In exercise of the inherent right of the Club to compensation for the damage sustained, the Committee may require any member who damages Club property to pay into the Club Funds the whole or part of any of making good such damage.

A member must report, either verbally or in writing within 24 hours to an Officer of the Club or any Committee Member, any damage to property or loss of property he or she is responsible for. For the purpose of this rule, remarks made in the Boat Register shall not constitute a report. Failure, without sufficient reasons, of a member to make a report as laid down in this rule shall render that member liable to be expelled from the Club.

8. DISCIPLINE

The Committee shall have the power to expel or suspend from membership from all or any of the privileges of membership any member, whose conduct is, in the Committee's opinion, not in keeping with traditions, objects or interests of the Club. However, such a member shall first have had reasonable opportunity of appearing before the Committee to state his/her case.
In the event of a Junior Member being required to attend a Committee Meeting upon an issue of discipline that junior must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult of their choosing. In default the Chairman may, at his discretion, appoint someone to speak on the junior member's behalf.

Members must obey the Rules and Bylaws of the Club with which they should be aquatinted, as these regulate and control their privileges of membership.

9. ENGINES ON CLUB BOATS

No motor or other equipment shall be used on any Club boat, which has not been modified or constructed or allocated by the Committee for that Purpose.

10. KEELAGE CHARGES
The Committee has the power to make a charge for keelage upon boats kept by members upon Club Premises, but accept no responsibility for the safety of such boats under any circumstances.

BYLAWS
(Made by Committee)

1. The normal Permitted Hours of opening of the Bar for the sale and consumption of intoxicants shall accord with the hours granted by the Licensing Justices.

Pursuant to Section 49 of the Licensing Act 1964 there may be admitted to the Club persons, other than members or their guests, who shall be entitled to he supplied with intoxicating liquor. This privilege shall not be extended more than ten times in one year and then on1y for the use of organised Societies or functions approved by the Club Committee. Not less than seven days notice of any proposed use of the Club under this rule shall be given by the Secretary to the Chief Officer of Police. No informal guests shall be permitted under this rule. No society or function shall be admitted more than once in any period of thirty consecutive days.

2. Junior Members and Guests under 16 years of age may use the Club facilities, but young children must be accompanied by an adult and kept under control.

3. Persons under the age of 18 years are not permitted to consume intoxicants within the Club premises.

4. Members and Guests using the Bar and Lounge Areas must maintain an acceptable standard of dress. Persons wearing training kit, working overalls, etc. may not be allowed in the bar.

5. Cycles must be kept only in the racks provided and are not allowed in the vestibule of the Club.

6. Dogs, except Guide Dogs, and all other animals are not allowed inside Club.

7. Notice boards are reserved generally for the posting only of official Club communications from the Captain or Committee. Any other person without the prior authority, via the Club Secretary shall not place on any notice board or in any Clubroom, pamphlets, advertisements or notices.

10. No bathing is to take place from the Club while racing craft are practising or about to practise in the vicinity of the Rowing Club.

11. All petrol and petrol tanks whether property of the Club or an individual member, must be stored only in the Boat House, or other specifically designated area, when not in use and must not be placed in any other Club buildings.

12. All members and other club users, be they groups or individuals, must ensure that they abide by the Health and Safety Procedures, as may be issued by the Committee from time to time, should they wish to use any of the club's facilities and/or equipment

ROWING
13. No Ross Rowing Club member shall compete in any composite crew without the prior authority of the Committee.

14. Every member using a boat that has to be carried up or down the bank shall help to carry it. Every member using an oar or racing sculls shall return them to their proper rack after use.

15. Crews in training must at all times wear at least a Rowing Vest i.e. no topless rowing allowed.

16. Severe disciplinary action will taken against any member who contravenes the Club code of river conduct and safety which is:

a) No sliding seat boats may be taken below the Wilton Bridge or through Backney Bridge without the prior permission of the Captain who may, at certain times, impose other limits. No member shall use any of the Club's fine sculling boats except by the Captain's permission and approval.

b) A Safety boat must be available for emergency use whenever Club Boats and crews are on the river. It is recommended that Junior Scullers who have attained wins in a senior status be accompanied by a safety boat.
It is mandatory that Junior Scullers who have not attained wins at senior status be accompanied by a safety boat.

c) No crew or sculler may go on to the river without the specific permission of the Captains on any day when either :

i) The river level is rising
ii) Conditions of fog, strong winds, ice, bad light etc. prevail
iii) The river is above the fourth step down from the car park.

d) No sculler should row above the wires at the top of the regatta course unless other boats are in the vicinity, (for their own safety).

e) No crew or sculler shall go above the wires at the top of the regatta course when the river is below the level of the second to bottom step.

17. The General Rule Of the river is that boats must keep to right (starboard side) of the river. However, on the stretch of river immediately above the wires, at the top of the regatta course, this rule is reversed. Crews should proceed upstream on the Benhall side and downstream towards the middle of the river, but avoiding the rapids on the Clubhouse side. Crews travelling downstream shall have the right of way.

18. The member pulling stroke oar in the boat shall have command of the crew and be captain of the boat.

19. Members may only use boats that they have been allocated by the Captains or Rowing Committee. This policy is designed to reward successful competing crews and to limit wear and tear on the competitive equipment being used by pleasure rowers.

20. Crews must book out the boat they wish and are eligible to use in the booking out book. Availability of a boat is on a first come, first served basis. Crews of a higher status do not take priority.

21. Members towing the boat trailer are deemed to have read the guidelines for towing and therefore take full responsibility for the compliance with road traffic regulations.

22. Coxswains must be familiar with the safety rules and navigation rules of the river.

23. Coxswains must wear a life jacket/buoyancy aid at all times on the water appropriate to the type of boat being used - see ARA Water Safety Code.

To view or print the complete document please click here for .pdf file>>

Junior Academy Coaching team voted best in country

Ross send team to British Indoor Rowing Champs 12th November

Rowers from Ross will compete in the British Indoor Rowing Championships to be held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on 12 November.

For more info CLICK HERE>>

 

Victor Ludorum for Juniors 2006

Ross in conjunction with Gloucester Rowing Club are running a combined Victor Ludorum which will result in the club with the highest points, in junior events, winning a SWIFT A CLASS 55kg SINGLE SCULL.

Points will be awarded for wins and places over the 2 days (Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August).

Ross and Gloucester Regattas 2007

The Posters are now available;

For Ross CLICK HERE>>

For Gloucester CLICK HERE>>

Discover rowing for adults

The goals of the seven week programme are to introduce the participants to the fundamentals of rowing and sculling. It is hoped that by the end of the programme the participants will have achieved our basic ARA competency level. We will also be able to offer the development of coxes in this exciting new programme. Key is to ensure everybody can enjoy the sport of rowing safely, in a wonderful team spirit and appreciate the incredible environment we live in.

The Club has grown significantly in the last few years and has successfully attracted sponsorship to support the improvement of the equipment available for novices, improvers and performance oarsman. This means it is able to support the progression of its members and indeed encourage them to achieve at the highest levels. The club is run entirely by volunteers and so enjoys an incredible sense of belonging and club spirit.

We look forward to working with you over the next seven weeks, and if there is ever anything you wish to discuss or provide feedback on please do not hesitate to let Robin or myself know.

Enjoy your rowing

Ian Howell
Captain

Community Champions year 2 - Junior Rowing is Transformed.

New High Performance Boats