News Story Date : 11 February, 2010

Olympic and World Champion Rower inspires Tower Hamlets Young People

Sarah Winckless, rowing Bronze Medallist in the 2004 Athens Olympics and two times World Champion dropped into the Attlee Youth and Community Centre in Tower Hamlets on Saturday 6th Feb to inspire young people in the borough to get fit and take up rowing. The event was organised by a partnership between the Attlee Centre, Thames Gateway Youth Football Project and London Youth Rowing. Over thirty children and Centre staff took part in team and individual rowing competitions with every child receiving a medal from Sarah.

As well as being taught rowing and fitness techniques by a former world champion the young people were able to take part in a question and answer session and learn at first hand what it takes to become a sporting champion.

This visit was the first of four Sarah will be making to the centre to promote free sporting opportunities provided by the Thames Gateway Youth Football Project at the Attlee Centre as part of Sport England’s Sport Unlimited Programme which aims to get more semi sporty young people aged 11 to 19 years taking part in regular sporting activities.

Ophelia Soares, Thames Gateway Youth Football Project Manager said: “It is terrific that Sarah is giving her time to raise aspirations and get young people involved in sport. She is a great role model, showing what can be achieved in life with dedication and hard work. The Attlee Centre and the Thames Gateway Youth Football Project are committed to providing free high quality, opportunities for young people in Tower Hamlets to take part in sport on a regular basis. In partnership with London Rowing, the Centre will be offering free weekly rowing sessions to young people in future. We were delighted that Sarah could be here to launch this initiative.”

Sarah Winckless said: “It was a privilege to be invited to the Attlee Youth Centre and get involved in this project. The excitement and enthusiasm was infectious and led me to believe that these young people can achieve anything they set their minds to.”