We are thrilled to announce that once again, Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is a recipient of funding from the Government of Canada’s Community Sport For All Initiative. 

The past two years of funding have been remarkable for The Rowing For All program. Clubs across the country have welcomed over 8000 individuals from equity-deserving groups to participate in rowing for the first time.

While initially a participant recruitment strategy, welcoming individuals to our sport who may not have found rowing appealing or accessible, the Rowing For All program has become so much more. 

“We have learned that this program lends itself more to a retention initiative,” said RCA Director of Partnerships and Sport Development, Jennifer Fitzpatrick. “The participants and the leaders of the equity-deserving groups have taught us new ways to create a welcoming environment that has prompted us to reconsider our approach to program delivery, how to adapt to unique needs of all participants, and to innovate beyond what some of us could ever have imagined.”

These learnings, combined with the depth of the local partnerships that have been created through this program, will be the foundation of a legacy that will live on for many years to come.

“We are so grateful for the Government of Canada’s support and to the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) for enabling us to continue to impact the lives of so many through rowing.”

Stay tuned for more details, published this fall, on how to apply for grants from RCA to support club-level programming. Our funding will be eligible for applicable programs that take place from April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 and from April 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026. Most of our grant funding will be allocated to programs that take place from April 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026.

For existing RCA Rowing for All programs we also encourage you to consider this grant opportunity available from the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association. These grants are available for activity from April 1st, 2025, to March 20th, 2026 and applications are due September 3, 2025.