Racing is changing. Are you ready?

A new Competition Framework for rowing is on its way. Here’s what you need to know to be ready.

A few years ago, the rowing community set British Rowing a task: to create a framework for heads and regattas that provides fair, close and exciting races for rowers of all levels of ability; something the current competition structure increasingly fails to do. A new Competition Framework is now on the way, so here’s what you need to know.

So what’s changing?

Currently, competitions use points and status to match you against rowers of a similar ability, but the only way to gain points is by winning at regattas, so your status reflects results, not overall performance. Under the new structure, you’ll win points at both regattas and head races based on the number of people you beat, which will create a more accurate measure of your ability. These points will be known as Ranking Points, and your overall points will be known as your Personal Ranking Index (PRI).

To support the new Competition Framework there is also a new British Rowing Online Entry System (BROE2). This online system is used to enter crews, upload head races and regatta results and to calculate Ranking Points and your PRI.

How do I know what my PRI is?

You can see a beta version of your PRI now. Log into your account at membership.britishrowing.org and select ‘Ranking Points’.

We are in the process of allocating the points from regattas that took place this summer and hope that this will be finished as soon as possible. If your race history isn’t correct, please let us know by sending us an email ([email protected]).

When is it happening?

The new Competition Framework is due to come into effect from April 2018.

Since the beginning of 2017 we have been robustly testing the new Framework and BROE2. Over 40 pilot competitions have successfully tested the new system, including the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race, National Schools’ Regatta and the Metropolitan Regatta, with more pilot competitions in the pipeline.

We’ve had lots of positive feedback from the competitions that the new Framework has helped create fairer, closer and more exciting racing. We’ve also found some bugs in the system which we’ve been working hard to iron out. By listening to your feedback we’ve been able to evolve the system throughout the test phase to ensure it works for you.

What do I need to do?

Tell your crew mates. Make sure that everyone in your club is aware of the new Competition Framework and has logged into the system to check their PRI. If there is an issue with your PRI, then let us know by sending an email to [email protected].

Tell your coaches and anyone who makes crew entries to head races or regattas. It’s really important that the right people are entered for each crew so that you only get allocated Ranking Points for races you have raced.

Tell anyone who runs your local head race or regatta. It’s important that they capture the results in the right format so that Ranking Points can be calculated and allocated.

Where can I find out more?

Find the latest at here and in The Stream, our membership newsletter. If you don’t receive The Stream, log in at membership.britishrowing.org and select ‘Contact Preferences’.