VRC Flags Men's Squad, 2005/6

Men's Squads - 2005/6

From Ian Cranna, Men's Squad Head coach, ian@vrc.org.uk:

The 2004/2005 mens season continued to re-enforce the success of recent years in the Vesta Mens squad, highlights included 46th in the head of the river, the best result for 10 years, and 16 athletes plus coxes at Henley Royal, all topped of with a win in elite pairs for Ed and Mark at Henley Town and Visitors.

We will be building on this in 2005/2006 with goals of:

  • Maintaining our 1st boat finish position of top 50 in the Head of the River.
  • 2nd boat finishing top 80 in Head of the River.
  • Senior 2 or above wins at major regattas.
  • 16 athletes pre qualifying for Henley.

The Mens Senior squad will consist of between 16 and 20 athletes with 16 race seats available for major events. The entire successful coaching team of Ian Cranna, Dan Webb, and Paul Wilcocks continues from 2005 and despite a number of 'retirees' the bulk of the athletes remain. There are a few places available for newcomers, please contact ian@vrc.org.uk if you are interested.

Our training programme is designed for Henley Level performance whilst recognising that work and life commitments mean that athletes cannot always train at a specific time each day. It entails land sessions 4 evenings a week in addition to 2 water sessions each weekend morning. Regular testing will take place to ensure physiological gains are being made. All squad members are expected to be confident in small boats, (at least a 2- and preferably a single scull). As a guide your 2k ergo score should be under 6min 40secs but this is not a hard selection criteria.

Development Group - New for the Year!

For the first time in 4 years we're delighted to be able to put in place a mens development squad for the 2005/2006 season. With the express purpose of providing a feeder group for the senior squad this group will be for athletes committed to future top level competition. Effort will be concentrated on improving physiological and technical performance, athletes will get the opportunity to do some land training with our senior squad, and to compete against them on test weekends. We aspire to produce one racing eight from this group. If you're interested in this group please contact Matt Gilliver - matt@vrc.org.uk.

Key Dates

2006 Kick off meeting: Wednesday, September 14th, 7.30pm at Vesta
Launch of Land training program: September 14th
1st water sessions: 17th / 18th September
1st Gym Tests: 1st / 2nd October
4's head crew selection: w/c 10th Oct
4's head: 12th Nov

Anything else?

News on men's rowing and training and racing .... when I get sent something to publish!