The Nassau Rowing Club (NRC), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and Concept2, donated two indoor rowing machines (ergometers, known as ergs) to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys and the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls. This initiative provides the youth at these centers with new opportunities for physical activity and personal development through the sport of rowing.
U.S. rower Arshay Cooper inspired the donation during his visits in 2023 and 2024. Cooper, who overcame poverty and violence in Chicago through rowing, shared his story with the residents, motivating them with his journey from adversity to becoming a chef, author, filmmaker, and speaker.
Concept2, the leading manufacturer of rowing machines used by top collegiate and Olympic rowers worldwide, generously provided the ergs as part of their Pulling Together Grant Program. Kate Smith, Marketing Specialist at Concept2, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to support the Nassau Rowing Club and the Bahamian rowing community with a donation of RowErgs. Growing the sport of rowing by increasing access and building our community is at the core of what we value most. We believe rowing is a lifelong sport that should be accessible to all, and the more we can support the good work of clubs like Nassau Rowing Club who share this vision, the better off the rowing community will be.”
Chargé Kimberly Furnish, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy, who has a personal connection to rowing from her time at Winter Park High School and Tulane University, attended the donation event. She remarked, “The U.S. Embassy is honored to support the Nassau Rowing Club in their mission to bring the transformative power of rowing to young Bahamians. This partnership exemplifies the positive impact that sports can have on youth development and community building.”
NRC Head Coach Nick Rowett highlighted the club’s commitment to outreach through their Opportunities & Access Rowing Squad (OARS) program, which brings ergs to Bahamian government school students across the island. “We are dedicated to making rowing accessible to all students, regardless of their background. These donations significantly expand our reach and provide more opportunities for young people to engage in this sport.”
Kyle Chea, President of Rowing Bahamas, the national governing body of rowing in The Bahamas, shared his vision: “By working with partners like the U.S. Embassy domestically, and Concept2 internationally, we can expand and deepen the positive impact of rowing on the physical, mental, and emotional health of young Bahamians no matter their circumstances.”
On hand for the presentation were Basil Johnson, Superintendent of the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, Monique Greenslade, Superintendent of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, and Dominique McCartney-Russell, Director of Education.
Starting on December 23rd, NRC coaches will begin fortnightly indoor rowing sessions with both male and female residents. The club plans to use indoor rowing—and eventually rowing on the water—as a positive pathway to rehabilitation and assist with their transition out of the centers.
Basil Johnson, Superintendent of the Simpson Penn Centre, commented on the initiative’s potential to foster discipline and resilience among the youth: “I believe the residents of the Simpson Penn Centre will benefit tremendously through the rowing training facilitated by the US Embassy and the Nassau Rowing Club. We are appreciative of this initiative. The residents are excited to learn this new skill of rowing and using their energy in a more positive way through sports.”
Nassau Rowing Club looks forward to expanding the OARS outreach initiative to as many government schools as possible through continued partnership with the Ministries of Education and Youth, Sports & Culture, along with its strategic partners.
For more information, please contact: Nassau Rowing Club
Email: info@nassaurowingclub.org Phone: +1 (242) 555-1234
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