AGM Nomination Statements - Men's Captain Adele Reynolds

Hi all, Please find below links to all nomination statements. We are lucky enough to have two great candidates for Men's Captain and as such candidates will be voted for through secret ballot AT the AGM

Please see here Adele Reynold's Statement for Men's Captain

Adele Reynolds Statement - apologies there seems to be a problem with the link

Dear Member,

It's been great to see so many new people getting involved in the club recently, I've really enjoyed supporting the Tech and Stam, Foundation and the Learn to Row sessions we've been running and meeting some of our new members. These sessions are absolutely key to finding and developing new people to feed into our racing squads.

At Poole Gig Rowing Club, PGRC, we have a really active and positive ladies racing section, strong junior squads, various social sessions and increasing rows for newer rowers. One section of the club we need to develop is our men’s racing section.

As a club, when competing in racing events, we rely on having a full complement of racers across men’s, ladies and mixed categories in order to score well. It has unfortunately not possible to field a men’s (open) crew consistently. This has had a detrimental impact on our standing and league position as a club and must change.

With my previous experience as captain of the ladies’ section, I have developed a strong understanding of how to build, motivate and develop a crew. During my time as captain, I focused on developing ladies’ training, encouraging new people to get involved, and supported the crew to achieve strong results, including a fantastic podium finish in our group at the Isle of Scilly World Championships (IOS).

I feel I can bring this experience to the men’s crew. My aim is to create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels motivated to participate, improve and contribute to the success of the crew and importantly, of PGRC. In 2027, I am absolutely committed to taking a men’s crew to key races such as Three Rivers, the European Championships and the Isle of Scilly World Championships.

1. Recruitment: What specific actions will you take to attract new men to the club, and how will you support and mentor them as they get started? Our taster days have been well attended although predominately by a more female demographic. I would like to see a proactive targeting of men to ensure we have more balance in our rower recruitment – I will work with the committee/members secretary on this. The men’s section hasn't been particularly involved in any of the recent taster days; I will get our men’s section involved and taking a direct part in growing their section and the wider club. My actions would include:

 Ensuring men’s involvement at taster days to welcome newcomers, demonstrate rowing and talk about their own experiences

 Follow-up: personally contact men who attend taster days and invite them to the next appropriate Learn to Row, foundation or men’s session.

 Have-a-Go / Bring-a-friend sessions: potentially offered in conjunction with the Learn to Row sessions, existing members can invite friends, colleagues and family to try rowing.

 Personal mentoring / buddy system: pair newer men with more experienced rowers where possible, helping them develop confidence, skills and connections within the club.

My aim is to turn initial interest into regular participation and ultimately build a larger, more confident and committed men’s section. For me, recruitment isn't just about getting more men through the door; it is about making them feel welcome, supported and giving them a clear pathway to becoming regular rowers – racing or not.

2. Retention: What practical steps will you take to reach out to inactive male rowers and encourage them back to regular sessions?

I would start by understanding who we already have within the club and making contact with men who have become less active. I wouldn't assume that someone has stopped wanting to row; there may simply be a barrier that we need to understand. I would reach out personally rather than relying on general club messages, find out what would encourage them back and invite them to appropriate sessions without putting pressure on them. I would also make sure that returning or less experienced rowers feel included. Not everyone will want to race so it’s important to ensure they’re connected to other row opportunities (i.e. social rows).

3. Weekly Session Planning: How will you organise, schedule, and run weekly training sessions, and how will you draw on the wider club to support your role?

My priority would be to establish a reliable weekly men’s session that people can plan around and, importantly, that isn’t regularly cancelled. Before setting the training content, I would speak with those men interested in racing to understand what has worked, what hasn’t, and what would make it easier for more people to train consistently.

SportMember gives us a really useful tool for this. I would publish sessions in advance, ask members to confirm availability and plan each session - just as I did as Ladies Captain. I would work with the rowers to make sessions purposeful and achievable, rather than imposing a programme that doesn’t work for the people attending. On water training would be tied into off- water training and I will work with the crew to support their off-water progress - previously applied successfully through team fitness challenges.

I also see real potential in closer collaboration with the ladies’ squads, including mixed sessions where appropriate. This gives us more opportunities to get boats on the water while strengthening relationships across the whole racing section.

4. Consistency: How will you manage squad communication and attendance to ensure boats are consistently filled?

Communication and visibility are important. I would use SportMember to make sure all training sessions, race dates and expectations are clear well in advance. For regular training, I would want people to confirm their availability beforehand. This would allow us to understand numbers early, plan crews appropriately and avoid repeatedly finding ourselves without enough people to get boats on the water. I would also keep an eye on attendance and follow up with people who have become less regular. I did this when Ladies Captain. This isn't about policing attendance; it is about understanding whether there is anything preventing someone from participating and keeping people connected to the squad.

I would look to get teams for Tamar and Isle of Scilly selected quickly. Tamar is early in the year and IOS is the World Championships. This ensures we can establish our on and off water training plan. As we get closer to other key races, I will establish clear commitments around both on and off water training and attendance. If I’m selected as Captain, we will take a men’s squad to IOS 2027 & other races across the 2027 season.

Most importantly, I would try to create a culture where people actually want to turn up. Good communication, regular sessions, positive vibes, strong relationships within the crew and seeing progress should all help build that commitment.

5. Collaboration: If elected, how do you see yourself working alongside Dave to draw on both of your strengths and drive men’s rowing forward?

I strongly believe the men’s section needs a bold change to reset, rebuild and grow. For me as Men’s Captain, I would look to draw on Dave's rowing and racing experience where it can add value. effective collaboration needs to be practical and accountable. I would want us to agree clear priorities, responsibilities and actions at the outset, so that everyone knows what they are responsible for and what needs to be done. I would expect Dave and the wider group to align with this approach.

If I am not appointed men’s captain, my intention would be to focus on supporting our newer and foundation rowers / learn to row, while allowing the men’s squad to shape its own direction.

6. Further ideas for the 2027 season

My overall aim for 2027 is clear: to lay the foundations for a sustainable, competitive and committed men’s racing squad.

 First, build participation - regular men’s sessions, reconnect with inactive members, and welcome newer rowers into a consistent training rhythm.

 Second, build consistency - develop a core group who train together week in, week out, forming strong crew relationships. Enable movement into and out of this group (as I did with the Ladies) so it doesn’t become impenetrable.

 Third, build crews - create a positive, encouraging environment where men’s crews can grow, thrive and push each other forward.

 Finally, RACE! 3 Rivers, Jurassic League and IOS 27 with crews who have trained hard together, trust each other, and are ready to compete.

More broadly, I have an evidenced positive commitment to PGRC which I am committed to continuing. In addition to ladies captain, I’ve previously served on the committee as safety officer. I am keen that we have a variety of rows that work for all members, not just the racing section and hope to work with the committee and across the club to ensure opportunities for all members, not just those who race.

PGRC has the chance to do something bold: to have a woman leading the men’s racing section! I am passionate about rowing, I get stuff done and I will bring energy, encouragement and teamwork – things that make the boat go faster.

For me, 2027 is about creating momentum, building a committed squad who enjoy training together, feel proud to represent PGRC, and want to race hard. Together, we can raise participation, strengthen our crews, and build a men’s team that stands out for its attitude, its ambition and its unity. Turn up. Train hard. Race hard. Move forward - together. I would be delighted to have your support for the role of Men’s Captain.

Thanks Adele