Training Camp
As well as boat and equipment purchases the Billygoats Society also supports coaching and training camps and it has become a tradition to have an Easter Training camp. This year it was at Norwich rowing Club. Here is a report from Boat Club secretary Megan Tubb.
The Norwich training camp had 29 members of the club attending, meaning we were able to get up to three VIII+ boats out on one of the days. With hundreds of hours of training logged in the club over the Easter holidays, everyone came along prepared and determined to give their all. The brilliant stretch of river gave everyone the chance to progress their rowing and coxing, providing an enjoyable weekend for everyone there. Despite the tiredness by the end, everyone came away smiling.
Across the camp, we were able to get many different crews out, in both VIII+s and smaller boats too, giving everyone the opportunity to row with crews they haven’t before, which was a wonderful chance for everyone to learn from each other. Throughout the camp we had some very technical outings, a key focus being working on good connection with the water followed by a powerful leg drive. Backing down the boat before taking a stroke has become a new favourite drill of ours. We also put this into practice in some more intense pieces, with a particularly exciting session on day 2 where we sent out 3 mixed 8+’s to have a side-by-side battle paddle! We also had lots of opportunity to trial crews going into the term, so we are ready to jump straight back into our training on the Cam.
On the women’s side, we were down a couple of rowers due to the University Development Squad, but with 11 rowers over the 3 days we were able to consistently send out a women’s VIII+, as well as sending out some women’s IVs. With thanks to the training camp, we are looking to have 2 very strong women’s crews this term. On the men’s side we were also able to consistently send out a men’s VIII+. As well as this, two of the men’s side rowers got the chance to practice in their singles in preparation for the Small Boats Regatta. Particularly on the men’s side, the camp was a brilliant opportunity to trial different VIII+’s in preparation for the term ahead.
With thanks to this camp, we are looking to have extremely promising Bumps campaigns this term on both sides of the club. Most importantly, the camp has given us the time to continue to build on the team spirit at FCBC. We had incredible help from our coaches Tony and Andrew, and we would like to extend a massive thank you to Billygoats Nick Francis and Robert Doe for all their helpful feedback and support across the camp. The camp has been an incredibly valuable experience for all our rowers and coxes, and we look forward to keeping up the hard work and training during Easter Term. Everyone at FCBC would like to say a massive thank you to the Billygoats for making this camp possible, we could not be more grateful your continuous support.
John Adams Fund supports Fitz women in the development squad
The John Adams Fund was established in 2012 in honour of John Adams, who, in his incredible 50 years as Secretary of the Society, made it what it is today. Among other things, the fund supports university rowers and triallists and this year we were able to support three Fitz women – Amelie Teferle, Katarina Finney and Vaila Smith – who were selected to participate in the CUBC Women’s Development Squad. After a two week training camp in Ely an 8+ and spare pair were selected and the 8+ competed in the BUCS regatta in early May. The development 8+ (with Vaila and Katerina at 7 and 6) won the D final.
Amelie said: Thanks for your support to help me do dev squad it was much appreciated. I learned to foot steer, row in a pair and got to go to BUCS.
It’s great that we had 3 women in the 10-strong development squad and we wish all three the best of luck in trials next year.
Thanks to Amelie for the photos.