Trafford RC nominated for Daily Mirror Pride of Sport award

Trafford RC are nominated for the Grassroots Team of the Year award in the Daily Mirror Pride of Sport Awards on 7 December

Trafford RC have received national recognition of their hard work in the community with a nomination for the Grassroots Team of the Year in the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Sport Awards.

The Greater Manchester club has a 180-strong membership and thriving junior section, with a packed waiting list of youngsters keen to get out on the water.

Success at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games inspired over 175 people to try rowing at one of Trafford’s four taster sessions, as interest in the sport rocketed among people of all ages.

Chairman Simon Reeves said: “We have sought to build a good junior base and as they go through the age ranges and up to university ages, they’ll come back and join in during the holidays. It’s taken us a while to get there, but it’s starting to happen now.

“We have a structure which is clearly defined so that people know what to expect. We work closely with the parents and build a camaraderie. The juniors are all expected to muck in together, with the J18s looking out for the J11, for instance.”

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Fifty per cent of Trafford’s membership is comprised of juniors, with youngsters from across the Manchester area, reaching as far as Blackburn and Merseyside.

“Friendship groups grow out of the sport between youngsters from different areas and schools.” Reeves said.

“We also encourage the juniors to help with the Junior RowStart. Over the summer we had about 20 juniors helping out there, with youngsters being taught by their peers, which really helps. Many of them use this coaching experience as part of their Duke of Edinburgh qualification.”

Trafford will find out if they’ve won the award at the Mirror’s Pride of Sport Awards in London on 7 December.