Club Affiliation

Clubs are at the heart of rowing and British Rowing is committed to supporting all those involved in developing the sport

Clubs affiliated to British Rowing have demonstrated that they are well run, safe and follow good governance and procedures. Through affiliation, clubs are able to enjoy a range of benefits that allow them and all of their members to enjoy the sport and help achieve their aims and ambitions. This includes recognition with Sport England and other national bodies.

Affiliation Benefits

Affiliated clubs have access to a range of key benefits and services, have a say in the running of the sport at a national and regional level, voting rights, competition rights, staff and volunteer support, plus much more. This applies to all types of clubs including School, University, College and Alumni.

From 1 April 2024, there are two affiliation products available to clubs: standard Affiliation, and Affiliation Plus, which includes bespoke liability insurance cover and enhanced fundraising application support as well as all of the benefits of standard Affiliation.

To learn about what you can receive through standard Affiliation and Affiliation Plus, visit our benefits section here.

New Affiliations

If you are looking to start a new club, are interested in affiliating for the first time or want to re-affiliate to British Rowing, then please email [email protected] for more information about the affiliation process.

A Club whose principal location is in England may affiliate to British Rowing to develop, gain access to funding, compete or to be recognised as a British Rowing member. As part of the application process to become an Affiliated Member, and as per section 6 of the British Rowing Regulations, a Club must:

1. Complete the application form made available by British Rowing from time to time.
2. Pay the relevant subscription fee.
3. Have a designated boating base, or permission from a host Club to use their facilities and/or equipment.
4. Complete the British Rowing Safety Audit which must be approved by the relevant Regional Rowing Safety Advisor. More information regarding the Safety Audit process can be found here.
5. Review all British Rowing welfare policies, and appoint a Club Welfare Officer.
6. Provide a copy of its constitution, which must contain an equal opportunities clause, confirm that the club will implement British Rowing’s policies on safeguarding and protecting children and young people and adults at risk and confirm that the Club will abide by the Regulations and adhere to the safety requirements of the British Rowing RowSafe Guide. You can download a copy of the British Rowing model constitution here and find more information on the legal structure of clubs here.
7. Be adequately insured and take responsibility for all of their equipment and liability for the actions for the Club. Visit our insurance page for more information.
8. Obtain approval from the relevant Regional Rowing Council for the application.

British Rowing encourages the establishment of new clubs in areas where rowing is not currently offered.

We would like to mention that a new club has to have been affiliated for a year and individuals need to be registered with their club before they are able to compete at Henley Royal Regatta; and Henley Women’s Regatta requires affiliation for at least six months prior to their closing date for entries.

Affiliation Form

Once you’re ready to start the affiliation process you’ll need to fill in an application form. This needs to be completed by your Club Chair/Head of Rowing and requires details of your club committee members, members and host club (if applicable).

The affiliation form can be found here.

Affiliation Renewal

Affiliation is the annual process in which rowing clubs and organisations formally associate to British Rowing.

To renew affiliation each year clubs must review their safety procedures, equipment and risk assessments via an online Safety Audit (Oct – Nov each year) and provide a membership declaration and confirmation of committee contacts (Feb – Mar each year). We will communicate all information to the club secretaries and school administrators  with reminders throughout the year, so make sure you keep your key club contacts appointed, named and up-to-date on your club profile within ClubHub – British Rowing’s Club Management system. If you have any questions regarding this process please email [email protected].

Fees

Affiliation requires an annual fee and from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Standard Club Affiliation costs £110 for 10 members or fewer, plus £10 for each additional member.

Club Affiliation Plus costs £600 for 10 members or fewer, plus £10 for each additional member.

Fees for each year are confirmed in February.

Other Organisations

There are a number of organisations who are recognised by British Rowing, either as ‘Associated Organisations’, ‘Other Rowing Associations’ or ‘Watersport Centres’. These Organisations support the aims and objectives of British Rowing but sit outside the governance structure of British Rowing and are not Affiliated Members.

For a list of these organisations and their responsibilities, click here.

If you are a club under the umbrella of another Organisation and want to also become an Affiliated Member of British Rowing, then you need to affiliate in the same way as all other clubs.

Affiliation FAQs