Clubs: New member registration forms – reminder to follow Weighing Rowers and Coxes Guidance

Clubs should follow British Rowing guidance for collecting weight data from new members/applicants.

We have become aware that a number of clubs are asking potential new members to provide their weight, and in some cases this is a mandatory field on membership application forms.

As set out in our Weighing Rowers and Coxes Guidance:

British Rowing acknowledges the complexities surrounding weighing of rowers and coxes and we have a duty of care to safeguard the physical and mental health of the individuals, with a heightened responsibility if the individual is a child. 

We recognise that in some situations, where the appropriate policies and procedures are in place, weighing individuals can be a useful tool to contribute to tracking changes in health, growth, and performance progression. However, the need for this guidance is to prevent potential areas of concern due to some of the related psychological distress, which may come from weighing rowers or coxes, such as disordered eating, anxiety and depression. 

With these factors in mind, British Rowing’s position is that children should not be weighed unless they are on a nationally supported talent pathway and that this should be done with a sensitive and supportive approach.

In addition, for adults, weight data should not be collected unless there is a specific performance reason for doing so, and once a formal and supportive coach/athlete relationship has been formed. When weight data is collected, as with all data, it should be stored securely for a limited time to be used for a purpose (e.g. a lightweight being under a specific weight on a particular day).

Any recruitment form should outline how data will be stored, for how long, and who will be able to access it.