Calendar Girls Aim to Make Rowers Household Names

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Press Release

Calendar Girls Aim to Make Rowers Household Names

Two New Zealand rowing mums have launched a new calendar to help raise money for some of New Zealand’s top rowing athletes, and are hoping it will gain recognition for one of the country’s most successful sports.

Robin Owens (World Champion Single Sculler Mahé Drysdale’s mum) and Ro Darrall (Women’s Eight rower Darnelle Timbs’ mum) have produced the calendar to celebrate New Zealand’s 12 successful international rowing medals in 2006 as a project for the New Zealand Rowing Foundation.

Each of the calendar’s pages includes a shot of one of the medal winning New Zealand crews from the 2006 international season, and other rowing ‘family’ shots. The mums have even added an extra month – January 2008 – so they could include a couple of the squad’s other crews, the Men’s Coxless Four and Women’s Eight.

“We’re trying to help Rowing NZ to build their brand and help get our athletes’ faces as well known as the likes of the All Blacks,” said Robin. “Rowing NZ does a great job supporting the national squad rowers and we wanted to do our bit. It’s going to be hard work, but every effort helps. We are hoping to make this calendar an annual project.”

The New Zealand Rowing Foundation was established after the 1978 World Championships held at Lake Karapiro to support the New Zealand Rowing Association’s international programme. Today it continues to provide support and most recently has helped fund our Junior and Under 23 international competitors.

Robin and Ro are also planning a series of postcards as well as the calendar in the build up to the 2010 World Championships at Lake Karapiro. Rowing NZ Chief Executive Craig Ross welcomed the initiative, commenting: “Robin and Ro’s initiative reflects the magnificent spirit of the rowing community to help our sport to succeed at the highest level” said Ross.

Anyone wanting a calendar – and they come highly recommended with some fantastic images by international rowing photographer Igor Meijer and Ro Darrall herself – should send cheques for $25 (includes postage and packing) payable to the New Zealand Rowing Foundation to Robin Owens, PO Box 10292, Bayfair, Mount Maunganui or contact her via email at robinowens[at]xtra.co.nz

ENDS

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