Olympic rowers take boat for maiden voyage

Wed, Jul 12th 2006, 11:00

House builder Redrow, more used to dealing with projects on dry land, has waded in with the sponsorship to fund a brand new rowing boat that will be used to train the Olympians of the future.

Star Rowing Club, based in Bedford, is the proud owner of the new eight-man boat, which got its name, ‘Ambition’, after Northampton-based sponsors Redrow Homes (South Midlands) held a competition for its staff to find a suitable moniker.

‘Ambition’ was given its maiden voyage by a team of Great Britain rowers, featuring Olympic gold medallists Tim Foster and Martin Cross plus others who between them have 60 medals from Henley, World Championships and the Olympic Games and many of whom started their illustrious careers at the Star Club.

Ian Rowe, the Star Club member who approached Redrow for the sponsorship, says: “Redrow is a well-known and award winning British company and we are pleased to be supported by them in this way. It’s important for sport and business to work together so we can all produce gold medal winning performances every day, be it olympic rowers or house builders.”

Redrow’s sponsorship will be displayed wherever the Star Club travels to take part in various rowing events throughout the year.

Ian continues: “The Star Club took part in this year’s Henley Royal Regatta, the biggest event in the rowing calendar, when our four man boat was also decked out with the Redrow branding.

‘Our crew lost to the semi finalists this year however with the backing of companies such as Redrow we expect to realise our ambition to win at a national level and produce more Great Britain rowers in the future.”

Meanwhile Tim Foster hosted a special naming ceremony for the eight-man Ambition at this year’s Star Club Regatta in Bedford, with Redrow’s Heather Jackson and Suzanne Irons doing the honours by pouring a bottle of champagne over the boat.

Heather, field sales manager for Redrow Homes (South Midlands), which recently completed the Pilgrims Landing development in Harrold, says: “It’s an honour to be connected to the rowing club through the sponsorship of Ambition. We always strive to get involved in the communities in which we build and through the funding we have provided to maintain this boat, we hope to have a hand in helping the next wave of future Olympians perfect their rowing skills.”

Winner of a gold medal in the coxless four at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Tim Foster, comments: “I am very pleased to be involved in this partnership between Star Club and Redrow. We have already established strong foundations and I am looking forward to building the relationship with Suzanne and Heather in the future.”

For those seeking to put down roots on dry land, Redrow Homes (South Midlands), is building new homes across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. For more information on the company’s portfolio of new homes, call 0845 676 0500.