Dear Members,

As we move into the election process for the next President of Rowing Canada Aviron, I have been reflecting on the last eight years in my role as President.  I began this journey with the goal of growing rowing in Canada – a goal that I have worked towards every day. Creating opportunities in communities to diversify the grassroots of our sport and building unique partnerships to broaden our baseline have kept me focused on this goal.  There were many forward steps and at times some setbacks, such as the worldwide pandemic that we endured and overcame.

We, as an organization, have changed over the past 8 years.  We look different and we think differently.   We are more aware of what Safe Sport is and how safeguarding measures have helped our sport become safer and stronger. 

We are more inclusive in our approach to athletes, coaches and administrators and that has broadened our reach for new members.  RCA National Come Try Rowing days have been successful across the country, bringing in new members to club programs.

Improvements in our overall communication strategies have provided the membership with increased opportunities to know what is happening across our great country and our many unique clubs.

We have grown, as an organization, in population and club expansion, with 12 new clubs joining RCA over the past 8 years.  We now have clubs across 10 provinces and one territory. 

The Community Sport for All Initiative was a tremendous funding resource that has stimulated growth at rowing clubs across Canada and has also diversified its membership.  Outreach to new Canadians, LGBTQ, Women and Girls, BIPOC and marginalized youth has changed our sport for the better.  Clubs worked closely together with RCA staff to ensure the success of this ground-breaking initiative. Congratulations to our clubs for their significant impact on growing rowing differently!

The disciplines within rowing are changing as well.  We now embrace Beach Sprints and Coastal Rowing, as well as Indoor Rowing and Classic Rowing across the country.  The face of international rowing is changing, and we have stepped up to continue to grow and evolve with new and exciting aspects of our sport. As an organization, we have established, through a comprehensive search across Canada, a National Training Centre on Quamichan Lake in Duncan, BC, while also building on our existing partnership with the Shawnigan Lake School.  Significant investment has been made in the National Training Centre site thus far, with real change happening to improve the project.  Like any major project, it has not gone without impediments. Still, we continue to progress in the development of assets to ensure safe and accessible conditions for our National Team members and our aspiring young athletes through camps and training opportunities.

On the world stage, Canadian rowing continues to be a presence, with successes at World Rowing Championships and both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics!  The standard for success is increasingly more difficult, but Canadian rowers continue to bring their best and shine.  We have also hosted three World Championships in Canada: World Rowing Coastal Championships in 2018, World Rowing Indoor Championships in 2023 and the World Rowing Senior, U23 and U19 “Mega” World Championships in 2024.  This remarkable achievement was made possible by the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers coming together from all across the country.

Also, the RCA Hall of Fame has been revitalized and is acknowledging the many contributors to our sport over the years. 

I have worked with many exemplary Board members from across Canada.  Working together, we have evolved the role of Board Directors from an operational Board to a policy  Board.  Our work as a policy Board is now more focused on setting the Strategic Plan and creating policies to improve our governance.  There is more work to do, but this is a significant shift in mindset for our organization.

It has been my privilege to serve you as a Board member for the past ten years, as I have met many wonderful, enthusiastic, committed, inspiring and experienced people in this role.  I have gained many insights into finding different pathways to meet the same goals.  Thank you to the club members for our work together and the many friendships that have been forged through this work.    This keeps me motivated to continue volunteering in various capacities within the wonderful sport of rowing.

Let me share a quote with you that I find very impactful –  A leader I admire recently said, “Leadership is an acceptance of responsibility rather than the assumption of power.”  When you vote for the next President of RCA, decide what you want from a leader and who can deliver that expectation.   Take the time to make an informed decision.

In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to my Board colleagues, the staff of RCA, my friends for their support, my family for their understanding, and my husband, Mike, for his steadfast encouragement of my hobby.

 

See you on the water,

Carol Purcer

President,

Rowing Canada Aviron