Janousek & Stampfli and Hinksey Sculling School announce partnership
The boatbuilder and the junior-focused community club are excited to announce a partnership that facilitates the high-achieving community rowing program to continue to enable young people to access the sport of rowing
At the end of May, Hinksey Sculling School scored a historic win in the Girls’ Championship Eights at the 2024 National Schools’ Regatta – achieved in a Stampfli shell provided to the club – alongside a silver medal in the Open Junior 16 Quad Sculls. The club is now preparing for Henley Royal Regatta with a focus on winning both the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy (Junior Women’s Eights) and the Fawley Challenge Cup (Junior Men’s Quads). Both ‘A’ crews will race in Stampfli shells.
Janousek & Stampfli first became involved with the Oxfordshire-based club in September 2023, supporting the squad with boat loans and rentals. Although other manufacturers had stepped in before to help, none had the resolve to commit to a longer-term partnership, which Janousek and Stampfli CEO Mark Banks and chairman Andre Perez were very keen to do.
“When Janousek and Stampfli changed ownership in 2021, one of the goals of our chairman and new owner of the company was to find ways to increase diversity and inclusion in the sport of rowing,” said Mark. “We liked how Hinksey went about growing their program in providing inclusion and diversity in the local community and not just high performance. We felt it was the right club to help support.”
Hinksey coach Bodo Schulenberg explained, “I do not want my crews arriving on the start line of major competitions and worrying that bad equipment will mean they cannot show the very best of themselves. It is hard to overstate how little we have available to us; we boat out of shared spaces and lift weights in a shed. The latest shells are not something we can afford to purchase so for a top-level British boatbuilder like Janousek & Stampfli to offer their support is vital for our continued success.”
Janousek & Stampfli are also committed to supporting any boat club who meet their criteria for improving the diversity and accessibility of the sport. This will be one of the brand’s key commitments in the coming years and they are very happy to speak with any club who believe, like Hinksey, they are making a genuine difference to the sport.
“Janousek & Stampfli wants to encourage other British clubs and schools to foster and promote diversity and inclusion,” said Mark. “Sport in general is a great equaliser and there is no reason why rowing should not be playing its part in promoting greater social integration and opportunities. We are open to speaking to other schools or clubs who are making a genuine effort towards diversity and inclusion to find ways to help them secure boats with advantageous financial arrangements. Furthermore, we would be happy to provide them and their coaches with coaching advice or masterclasses.” For more information, please reach out to [email protected].
