Community Impact
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
Nelson Mandela
We are proud to share our Community Impact Report for 2024/25, above is our impact video showcasing participants from our programmes, below is a summary and the full report is available soon. Our impact reporting used an updated surveying approach informed by Sport England and includes new areas of impact for adaptive rowing and environmental action.
We often speak about the power of sport, but it's true impact is best expressed by the voices of our participants, many of whom feature in our new impact film.
In 2024/25, Fulham Reach Boat Club (FRBC) continued to demonstrate the power of sport to drive positive social change, improving health, inclusion, and environmental stewardship across our community. Through our programmes, we engaged close to 2,000 participants across youth, prison, and accessibility initiatives, providing free, high-quality opportunities to get active on the River Thames.
Youth Development remained at the heart of our work, with 826 students from 10 state schools taking part in nearly 600 rowing sessions, and 85 young people joining our Free Watersport Weeks. These free holiday programmes saw a 20% rise in participation, with 80% from diverse backgrounds and 16% with special educational needs. Our Youth Squad, with bursary places, achieved national-level competition success, while three graduates became FRBC coaches, proof of rowing’s lasting impact on confidence, teamwork, and aspiration.
The Youth Boat Race 2025 (see short film here) showcased rowing’s growing inclusivity, bringing together 64 students from 10 state schools to race on the iconic Boat Race course, supported by The Boat Race Fund and partners. The event reached a global audience and highlighted how collaboration can break down barriers and make rowing truly representative of London’s diversity.
Reducing Reoffending through our Boats Not Bars programme, FRBC extended its social impact to people in custody, supporting 184 participants. Over 90% reported improved wellbeing and confidence, with sustained contact after release more than doubling. The programme continues to reduce stigma and create pathways from prison to community through sport, mentoring, and employment. See a short film here.
Our first dedicated Accessible Rowing programme, Row the Rhythm, opened the sport to blind, visually impaired, and disabled participants. Every participant reported improved health and quality of life, and 86% wanted to continue rowing. Delivered in partnership with VICTA, Love Rowing, and Action on Disability, this initiative marks a step toward year-round adaptive rowing at FRBC. Listen to the RNIB podcast here.
“Rowing at Fulham Reach Boat Club has become one of the most empowering experiences of my life. As a blind rower, I’ve often been told—directly or indirectly—what I can’t do. But from the moment I arrived at FRBC, everything changed. The coaches, volunteers, and other rowers welcomed me with genuine openness, adapting nothing except their expectations of what I could achieve.” VI Participant
Finally, our Environmental Action united over 400 volunteers in protecting the Thames, collecting over 1 tonne of rubbish, conducting 43 water-quality tests, and launching our first electric boat charging station. Recognised by Sport England as a model of climate leadership (see short film here), this work reflects our belief that caring for the river is inseparable from caring for our community.
Across all programmes, participants reported increased physical activity, teamwork skills, confidence, and connection to nature. FRBC’s holistic model combining sport, social inclusion, and sustainability continues to prove that rowing can be a force for good: empowering young people, reducing reoffending, opening access, and safeguarding the river for future generations.
If you would like to see more information on our previous years impact.
Here is last years impact report Community Impact Report 2023/24 and infographic. As well as the year before's report available here Community Impact Report 2022/23.