Rowing Clinic in Uganda

My journey to the Olympics as a single sculler started in a training boat on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. To give back to the Ugandan Rowing Community that supported me, I am collaborating with local rowing clubs to organize a multi-day Rowing Clinic in Uganda on January 29th - 30th 2022. Our goals are threefold: 

1. Empower more people, especially youth and women, to take up rowing 

2  Inspire and support active athletes, especially those with national team potential

3. Equip and promote local clubs

Our hope is to provide food, tent accommodation, transportation, equipment and coaching for 50 athletes

Please support us so that we can have a successful and impactful clinic! 
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Hello, my name is Kathleen Noble and I am the first Ugandan Rowing Athlete to compete at the Olympic Games. I participated in the Women's Single Scull at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where I finished as the 2nd ranked African rower. My presence at the Olympics rejuvenated and inspired the Uganda Rowing Community. My hope is that this enthusiasm can be harnessed to promote and aid rowing in Uganda.  

As a way to give back to this community that helped nurture me, I am planning a multi-day Rowing Clinic in January 2022 at Kisubi Beach in Uganda. I am planning this event in collaboration with local rowing clubs including Maroons Aqua Sports Club, Kampala Rowing Club and Kisubi Pirates Rowing Club. Our goals with this clinic are three fold:  

1. To empower more people, especially youth and women, to take up rowing.

The clinic will provide an opportunity for people to try out the sport, learn the basics, meet local club representatives and get information on how to become a member of an active club. We will reach out to local communities, schools and universities situated close to rowing centers to advertise this event. 

2. To inspire and support active athletes, especially those with national team potential, through one-on-one coaching. 

I recognize the limits of a short clinic in transforming an athlete's technical ability. However, I believe that with video review and an opportunity to get personalized coaching from a number of different coaches we can offer athletes a new perspective on their rowing that is valuable and inspiring. Also, my hope is that relationships built through this camp can continue beyond the few days we are together in Kisubi leading to future collaborations and opportunities for athletes

3. To equip and promote local clubs 

The reality is that there is very limited equipment for rowing in Uganda. There are few rowing boats and even fewer fully functioning ones. Sadly, the 18 boats donated by FISA to the Uganda Rowing Federation have been stuck in customs since September 2020 because the Ugandan rowing community does not have the funds to pay the taxes assessed against the boats. We have appealed to the  Uganda Government to aid us in getting these boats released and in the wake of the Olympics, are hopeful that this will be resolved. However, in the meantime, clubs must make do with the few old boats that remain from a consignment received in 2008. Part of the funds raised here will be allocated to purchase necessary equipment, such as slides and oar locks, to repair damaged boats and erg monitors to replace damaged ones.

In addition to repairing boats, the clinic will support local clubs by providing a platform for them to be advertised. We will enlist local media to cover the event providing publicity for the clubs and a means to inform the general public how they can become involved. 

We are asking for $5000 to cover food, tent accommodation and transportation for participants as well as transportation of boats, media coverage, compensation for local coaches and spare parts for damaged boats. Our hope is to have the capacity to accept 30 - 50 participants. 

I am asking for your donations so that we can have a successful and impactful Rowing Clinic that will support the local rowing community in Uganda and inspire athletes towards become the next generation of Ugandan Rowing Olympians and Paraolympians.

Thank you very much for your support!