A County Durham rowing club has been suspended by its governing body after an investigation into “troubling” complaints about how it is run.
The British Rowing Board has taken the decision to suspend the affiliation of Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club with British Rowing effective from Tuesday (August 2).
In a statement the BRB said: “Having worked with the club over the past two years to improve its structure and governance, we have continued to receive various complaints about the governance and administration of Chester-le-Street ARC.
“Having since been made aware of various challenges, including the resignation of the trustees, committee members, and key officials, and the decision made by the club’s trustees to temporarily close Chester-le-Street ARC, the Board discussed matters further at its July Board meeting.”
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It adds: “The current situation is of great concern to British Rowing and we are committed to working with the club to identify the best route forward toward an environment that is well-governed and enjoyable for all.
“We hope that discussions, to be held in the coming weeks, will result in the Club being able to resume its affiliation and to re-open the club to its membership.
“Whilst Chester-le-Street ARC is closed, British Rowing will be working with the region to identify opportunities locally for members to be able to continue enjoying rowing over the summer, and will communicate this with the members and parents of junior rowers at the club in due course.
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“British Rowing will continue to liaise with the Club and report progress to the Board. British Rowing will not comment further in relation to this matter at this time.”
As the Northern Echo reported in January, numerous members of Chester le Street Amateur Rowing Club had made "troubling" complaints about the club to British Rowing.
And an independent panel that investigated the complaints found that the small amateur club had displayed problems both to its own members and the outside world for too long.
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A probe was launched after various complaints about the club’s governance and administration were made to British Rowing.
An independent panel (IP) looked at issues that had arisen, including complaints by current or former club members received between summer 2020 and October 31, that year.
Its report was sent to British Rowing’s board in November 2021.
It accepted a series of recommendations by the panel about how the issues should be resolved which include seeking positive action by the club.
At that time panel recommended that the club be disaffiliated from British Rowing.
It suggested such a move be suspended until April 2022, in order to give the club time to consider the report and to take action to remedy the deficiencies identified.
The Northern Echo has contacted the club for a comment.
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