Call out to community to help finish boat house

ROWING Geelong members are calling on the local community to help fund a new rowing centre based at the heart of the city’s rowing precinct in a bid to attract a broader cohort of students to the sport.

Based on the Barwon River in South Geelong, work on the new two-storey, three-bay boat shed commenced in March, but the club requires additional funds to complete the $1.5 million construction.

Rowing Geelong president Sam Elliott said establishing a new centre for the sport would relieve many of the concerns other schools may have before starting their own rowing programs and reaping the many positives the sport presents.

“As the ultimate team sport, rowing provides a fantastic platform for kids to build resilience and self-esteem, as well as the fitness and health benefits,” Elliott said.

The new boat house is to be named after Jeff Sykes, a name well-regarded within the Geelong rowing community due to his successful career at the World Rowing, Rowing Australia and Rowing Victoria Championships.

Sykes also helped develop row-boat provider Sykes Racing into a world-class brand that sees numerous Australian crews earn medal-placing finishes at all levels.

“Jeff wants to give back to the sport and community he loves in the hope that Geelong youngsters will experience the great joy rowing has bought him,” Elliott said.

Because Sykes wants to give back to the Geelong rowing community, the former rower has come on board the project as a substantial founding donor for the centre.

Once completed, the Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre shall hold a minimum of four schools’ rowing programs at any one time, next to other school sheds occupied by institutions such as Geelong Grammar School and The Geelong College.

The building will also provide housing for boats with direct access to the river as well as a coaching centre, office, and fully functioning change rooms for teams.

Donations to the project can be made through the Australian Sports Foundation or contributors may also contact Rowing Geelong to discuss the project further.