For the month of February the team is running The Nation on Trial initiative, sponsored by its high-performance partner Siemens. The team is challenging everyone to get fit in the build up to the GB Rowing Team Senior Trials, get on a rowing machine and take their own 2km trial to mark a big year for British sport while also raising money for the event’s charity partner, The Stroke Association.
2km is the distance GB’s top stars will race on the water at the Olympic Games this summer but for anyone aspiring to join the GB team the year-long selection process begins with a 2km test on a rowing machine and this is the public’s chance to have a go and win behind-the-scenes-prizes simply by taking part.
Anyone of any ability aged 16 and over can register on the event website www.nationontrial.org and access expert training advice on how to use a rowing machine as well as enjoy messages of encouragement from World Champions such as Grainger, Richard Chambers and 1992 Olympic gold medallist Searle.
The challenge is simple in theory – participants train and build up to rowing 2km as fast as they can on a rowing machine at a local gym or rowing club, getting fit in the process and reducing their risk of suffering a stroke by taking regular exercise.
Participants can record their time as many times as they like on the event website which will show how they compare with friends and workmates as well as the entry standard for the GB selection process.
Grainger, 36, a three-times Olympic silver medallist and six-times World Champion aiming for her fourth Olympic Games said: “It’s our Olympic distance, it’s what we do all the time, it’s what we do for trials. We’ll be doing that in early March ourselves and then at the Olympic Games in July and August, so it’s a tough test.
“But I’ll also warn you it is very addictive, so once you get going, if you’re competitive, you will just want to keep improving. So good luck, train hard, race hard and enjoy it".
The reward for anyone taking part is the chance to rub shoulders with the GB Rowing Team’s World and Olympic medallists as they will be entered into a prize draw to win a trip for two to watch the Senior Trials at the Olympic rowing venue, Eton Dorney.
The times for those aged 16-24 will also be assessed to see if anyone has the talent to be considered for the opportunity to train to be a member of the GB Rowing Team. The event could throw up a new generation of rowers destined for the GB Rowing Team as well as provide the chance for the nation to keep up their New Year get-fit resolutions.
The Nation on Trial will also be raising money and awareness for the event’s charity partner The Stroke Association with participants encouraged to get sponsored to achieve set targets.
Every five minutes, someone in the UK will have a stroke which is the leading cause of severe disability. The Stroke Association provides support for survivors and their families as well as funding vital medical research. Rowing can help reduce the risks of stroke as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Register now at www.nationontrial.org
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
The Nation on Trial
PRESS OPPORTUNITY: Members of the media are invited to take their own trial at a launch event in Reading on Friday January 27 with four-times Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent.
You will have the opportunity to receive coaching from a member of the GB Rowing Team, interview Sir Matthew Pinsent and a stroke survivor who used rowing as a key part of his recovery after learning to walk again.
There will be a follow-up opportunity at the end of the month on February 29 to see your progress and to meet some adaptive (Paralympic) rowers.
The Nation on Trial runs from February 1 – 29 and is open to anyone aged 16 and over.
For logos, photos, interviews or to confirm attendance on January 27 please contact The Nation on Trial office:
T: Andy or Caroline (01225) 443 998
To register for the Nation on Trial go to www.nationontrial.org.
GB Rowing Team
The GB Rowing Team is sponsored by Siemens and funded by the National Lottery.
For full biographies of GB rowers, a guide to rowers from your area and the team’s event calendar for 2012 go to the GB Rowing Team website: www.gbrowingteam.org.uk.
For photos or interview requests contact:
T: (01225) 443 998
Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 169 years ago and now employs 12,972 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.4 billion*. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
* Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue reported in annual or interim reports.
For more information, contact PR manager Laura Bennett on:
T: +44 (0)1276 696374
M: +44 (0)7808 823598
The Stroke Association
The Stroke Association campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society acting as a voice for everyone affected by stroke. The charity funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community support services as well as providing information through its helpline, leaflets and factsheets.
The Stroke Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0303 303 3100.
More information on The Stroke Association can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
