AGM 2026 — Summary & Key Updates

Key Decisions

• Affiliation fee increased to £20.
• League race entry fees set by clubs, now capped at £10 maximum.
• Novice definition: first 12 months from WSR registration (starting when Sport80 goes live).

Leadership

• President elected: Mick Fothergill
• Committee: All current members re‑elected
• New Web Officer: Dan Anderton
• Vacancy: Publicity Officer

Welcome & Opening

Vice‑Chair Richard Aherne opened the AGM in the absence of Chair Helen Heaton (currently rowing the Atlantic). Minutes of the 2025 AGM were approved.

Download Draft AGM Minutes

Inclusivity & Disability Sport

The 2025 inclusivity proposal remains active.

• Disability Sport Wales webinar to be arranged by Samantha English.
• Jane O’Connor to attend the February Exec to progress actions.
• Clubs encouraged to contact Samantha for inclusivity support.

Finance & Insurance

• 2024 ended with a small loss, expected to move into surplus following royalties.
• Insurance improvements:
  • Personal Accident cover extended to age 85.
  • Combined liability increased to £10m.
  • Employer’s liability now covers all clubs.
• QuickFile now active for improved financial oversight.

Health & Safety

Only three incident reports were submitted in 2025, with under‑reporting strongly suspected.

All clubs must log:

• Injuries
• Near misses
• Equipment failures
• Trailer & lifejacket checks

Report an incident

Our Health & Safety Officer would like to arrange regular updates via a forum or Zoom for all WSR Clubs’ H&S Officers. For more information, contact health-and-safety@searowing.wales.

Welfare

A special thank‑you from the WSR Committee to Clare Oates for stepping into the Welfare Officer role and doing an excellent job of getting members DBS checked in 2025.

Admin & Governance

• AGM minutes publication target: within 1 month.
• Fixed deadline for race dates, RAs and AGM proposals: second Friday in December.
• Constitution update: temporary clause allows three Porthmadog members on committee (2026–27).

Race Calendar & Rules

• 2026 race calendar approved.
• Clevedon & Tenby proposals submitted late — to be reviewed at the February Exec.
• Proposal to change incident‑handling did not pass; WSR Representative remains first point of contact.

View 2026 Fixtures

Event Workshop — 21 February 2026 (Online)

Please register to attend this online workshop. Any club hosting a ratified event in the 2026 calendar must ensure at least one member of their club committee or event organising committee attends.

Register for the Event Workshop

Welsh Rowing Highlights

• £80,000+ awarded to WSR‑affiliated clubs via Sport Wales.
• Continued growth in coastal sculling.
• Key 2026 dates:
  • Junior Beach Sprints — 19 Apr, Colwyn Bay
  • Senior Beach Sprints — 6 Jun, Fishguard
  • Welsh Coastal Championships — 20 Jun, Saundersfoot

WSR 2025 Members Survey — Summary

Thank you to the 71 members who completed the survey.

• Majority of responses from members aged 51+, with strong North & Mid region engagement.
• Members row mainly for enjoyment, fitness and community; competition also important.
• Barriers: travel distance, towing logistics, difficulty forming full crews.
• Race rules generally seen as appropriate, though some feel enforcement needs to be clearer and more consistent.
• Good interest in hosting All‑Wales events from clubs with suitable venues.
• Desire for improved communication, clearer event planning, better race etiquette, and enhancements to the WSR website.

Download WSR Survey 2025 Feedback

Next Meetings

• Next Executive Meeting: 22 February 2026
• Next AGM: 30 January 2027

Questions or corrections? Reply to this email or contact the WSR Exec. If you can help with the Publicity Officer role, please get in touch.