Stafford & Stone Canoe Club’s taster sessions restarted in April, and both adults and juniors alike were a huge success.
Whilst the latest lockdown at the start of 2021 had stopped all organised sports for local sports clubs, Stafford and Stone CC were busily organising their 2021 junior and adult recruitment, so to be ready to go as soon as restrictions were lifted.
Normally junior sessions are advertised by the beginners coach going into local schools to an assembly to talk about and promote the sport. But this could not be done this year so a virtual presentation was recorded which went into Walton Priory Middle School and Christchurch Middle School in Stone. The presentation was shown to all year 5 & 6 classes and flyers given to all those interested. The sessions were also advertised in the local press, community websites and local radio, as well as on social media and the clubs website – www.staffordandstonecc.co.uk
Junior taster sessions commenced on 24/25 April with a “Come and Try It” weekend and no less than 70 children attend sessions at the club over the weekend. Further sessions were available throughout May with around 50 booking in onto these additional sessions.
The junior tasters completed on the weekend of 22nd & 23rd May, and those who wish to continue will also now be invited to join the club and form the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club Class of 2021.
For the adults social media sites were used to encourage trying out of the sport, with the tagline “It’s Not Just For Kids”
The first sessions for adults were held on 24 April followed by a five week introductory course. The sessions were fully booked as was the course which culminated at the end of May in a river trip along the Trent. The adults who wish to continue will now join the club and become part of the club community. A second taster day and course was planned for June and is again fully booked!
Coaching Coordinator Debs Homer said “It’s been a very busy six weeks, trying to fit in all the children that wanted to come and try Canoe Slalom. The logistics of making sure we could provide this within the current guidelines was difficult but we had the experience of last years tasters to help us. The groups were kept small, the procedures were very secure yet the kids still had a great time! Our thanks goes to the Beginners Coaches and Assistants who made this happen, and also the parents and kids themselves for following the rules to keep everyone safe”
At the club’s for Monday evening C1 junior session, C1M athletes Adam Burgess and Alfie Boote were back at their club to support the next generation of canoeists, along with George Harratt (now a coaching assistant at the club) and Dave Royle (Vice Chairman and C1 Lead Coach). The session is also coached by previous C1W World Championship medallist Jazz Royle.
The clubs publicity officer said “We are so proud of the athletes the club has supported over many years, and the achievements they have made since joining the club as a local child wanting to have a go at the sport. It’s also fantastic that they make the time to come back and inspire our young paddlers!”
