British Rowing launches search for talented young sportswriters

British Rowing is launching a new Young Rowing Writers Competition in association with Mizuno and Junior Rowing News.

British Rowing is launching a new Young Rowing Writers Competition in association with Mizuno and Junior Rowing News. The competition will identify talented young writers and offer them an opportunity to win the chance to interview some of the GB Rowing Team’s top stars.

The final winners will be selected by a panel of judges:

• James Cracknell
  Mizuno Ambassador, Double Olympic rowing gold medallist, BBC rowing commentator and Boat Race winner
• Fiona Gammond
  GB Rowing Team
• Katie Smith
  Journalist for BBC Five Live, BBC World Service and former contributor to British Rowing’s magazine
• William Tyrrell
  Commissioning Editor at Junior Rowing News
• Rich Stock
  Head of Marketing & Communications, British Rowing

The winner will receive an invite to interview some of the GB Rowing Team’s top stars and a pair of Mizuno TC-01 Training Shoes. A further five runner-ups will receive a pair of Mizuno TC-01 Training Shoes.

James Cracknell, Mizuno Ambassador, is excited to be part of the judging panel, “Rowing clubs across the country are coming up with some really innovative ideas to keep their clubs going during coronavirus. I’m excited to hear about not only what the clubs have been doing but also how these young writers choose to capture it.”

Tom Morgan, Founder of Junior Rowing News, highlighted the quality of writing he expects, “Junior Rowing News was established to help provide a platform for young rowing writers and so we are delighted to join forces with British Rowing on this initiative. We have worked with many young writers over the years and expect to see some fantastic and creative entries.”

For some the entry may just be the start of their journey as a rowing writer as Rich Stock, Head of Communications & Marketing, explains, “There are so many talented writers within the rowing community. The prize to interview GB rowers training for Tokyo 2020 is fantastic for any young writer but we’re also keen to identify budding young rowing writers across the country and give them a platform to showcase their talents.”

To enter, young rowing writers are invited to submit their entry capturing how their local rowing club has been coping with the coronavirus restrictions put in place in recent months. The entry should be a maximum of 1000 words but can be in any format that you think is engaging and, where appropriate and possible, should include accompanying photos. Entries should be sent by your parent or guardian to [email protected] and should include your parent/guardian’s name, your name, rowing club (if applicable) and your date of birth.

The entries and winning interview will be published across British Rowing and Junior Rowing News digital channels. Full terms and conditions are included below and entries close 8 am, 6 July 2020.

Terms & Conditions

1. This competition (the ‘Competition) is open to anyone born on or after 1 January 2002.
2. Entries into the Competition must be received by email to [email protected] by 8am, 6 July 2020. Entries received outside this time period will not be considered.
3. Entrants into the Competition grant British Rowing and its partners (Junior Rowing News and Mizuno) the right to publish on their digital channels (including but not limited to website and social media) all materials they submit (including the winner’s final interview).
4. Entrants must ensure they have the appropriate rights to grant this for all materials.
5. Entrants into the Competition shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.
6. Employees of British Rowing and their family members may not enter the Competition.
7. The winner will be chosen by our panel of judges. The judges’ decision is final.
8. The prizes are non-exchangeable, non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash or other prizes.
9. The winners will be informed by email before 5pm on Friday, 31 July 2020 and must provide a postal address to claim their prize. If a winner does not respond within 14 days of being notified by British Rowing, then the prizes will be forfeited and British Rowing will be entitled to select another winner. The prizes will be sent to the winners by post.
10. The overall winner will win the opportunity to interview members of the GB Rowing Team. Dependent on the restrictions at the time, this may be conducted via video chat due to ongoing UK Government restrictions.
11. If a winner rejects their prize or their entry is invalid or in breach of these Terms and Conditions then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and British Rowing will be entitled to select another winner.
12. Promoter: British Rowing Ltd, 6 Lower Mall, London W6 9DJ.