An indoor rowing program for detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) was earlier this week announced as a 2021 CBR Sport Awards Finalist.

The month-long program was administered by Rowing ACT in March/April this year following a similar program run for veterans and their families in September 2020.

The indoor rowing program began at AMC in February 2021, with qualified rowing coaches from Rowing ACT teaching detainees how to use the indoor rowing machines, techniques and terminology.

Rowing ACT president, Alison Creagh, told Canberra Daily that they felt a similar initiative for detainees could improve their confidence and self esteem while instilling a sense of community after the success of their veterans’ program.

“It’s really about building community and getting fit and the same time; enjoying each other’s company through a shared interest,” she said.

The program culminated in the detainees participating as a team in an Anzac Day indoor rowing challenge – the Colgan Cup -where they achieved beyond Creagh’s expectations.

The challenge required participants to row as many instances of 2504 metres as possible in acknowledgement of Anzac Day falling on 25 April.

Over the day the 12-person AMC team chalked up 70,112 metres: the largest group entry with the highest result across Australia and New Zealand.

But it wasn’t just their performance on the ergs that impressed Creagh.

The day began with the detainees paying tribute to someone they know or are related to who have either served or are serving our country. A veteran herself, Creagh was touched by the testimonials offered.

“I was really humbled by their responses,” she said.

“They were really respectful and really wanted to respect the day and recognise the sacrifice men or women in service make for our country.”

Creagh said there is interest amongst Rowing ACT in repeating the program next year after a positive experience first time around.

“If there is interest, we will ask if any rowing act volunteers want to head out there again and put the detainees through their paces,” she smiled.

“We know a number of detainees have continued to train on the indoor rowers after we finished the program.”

Creagh said Rowing ACT was both “excited and privileged” to be recognised as finalists in the Canberra Sport Awards.

“It acknowledges not only the work I think of people in rowing ACT to support these types of endeavours but also acknowledges participation of the detainees,” she said.

“We’re very appreciative of the ACT Government in what they do to support rowing in the ACT in all forms.

Veterans and families indoor rowing program a ‘glowing success’

The precursor to the AMC program was a month-long veterans and families indoor rowing program that ran in September 2020.

“I’m a veteran myself so I was aware that from a veteran perspective feeling part of a community is important,” Creagh said.

Indoor rowing offers an ideal introduction to the sport and is far more accessible than the far more technical on-water rowing.

“It’s the easiest form of rowing to get involved in,” she said,” you don’t have to worry about sitting in a boat on the water staying afloat.”

The veterans and families indoor rowing program ran for a month with 20 participants encompassing a broad cross section of participants from an 85-year-old to teenagers and children.

The month of training culminated in a regatta over the last weekend.

“They had a great time and number of them went on to compete in Canberra for the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships in late October 2020,” Creagh said.

Creagh regarded that program as a glowing success with one participant losing 30 kilos, and the 86-year-old winning gold in their age group at the Australian Championships.

“As a coach it was very rewarding,” she said.

With two indoor rowing programs under the belt now, Rowing ACT plan to run a para-indoor rowing for people with physical and intellectual impairments some time next year.

Click here for more details on Rowing ACT.

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