December 22, 2021 Submitted by the Hingham High School Rowing Association
The Hingham High School Rowing Association (HHSRA), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that fully funds and operates the Hingham High Crew team, was awarded a $20,000 grant by Hingham Sports Partnership (HSP), a nonprofit organization that offers leadership and financial assistance to youth and school sports programs, to kickstart a new racing fleet for the team.
“This is amazingly positive news for the future of Hingham High Crew,” said Sonya Claridge, president of HHSRA. “This is a catalyst for our fundraising campaign to start the $500,000 upgrade of our racing fleet of rowing shells in spring 2022 and beyond.”
“Sincere thanks to Hingham Sports Partnership on behalf of the entire Hingham High School Rowing Association Board, coaches, parents, and the team.”
HSP kickstarted Hingham High Crew’s 2022 spring campaign goal of $168,000 to fund four new boats for the varsity girls and boys crews. Donate to the spring campaign at Donate- Hingham High Crew.
“We heard so many positive stories from parents about students finding their ‘place’ on the crew team. Not only did their teens learn how to establish healthy workout routines and life habits, they also built great friendships and team camaraderie—what youth sports are all about,” said Deb McCarthy, HSP president. “This grant also reflects HSP’s mission to provide grant funding that allows more athletic participation for more students; invests in long-lasting equipment; and helps grow a strong existing sports program. We are grateful to be able to continue supporting programs like this thanks to generous residents and HSP sponsors.”
Hingham Sports Partnership has awarded over $2 million since its inception in 1995 to worthwhile community grants that support sports. To learn more about the HSP grant program or to support HSP, visit www.hinghamsports.com.
HINGHAM HIGH CREW IMPACT:
The second largest sport offered at Hingham High School, the Hingham High Crew team is ranked third in the state by the Massachusetts Public Schools Rowing Association. Hingham High Crew is U.S. Rowing and SafeSport accredited. Nearly 50% of Hingham High Crew rowers and coxswains continue to compete in college.
“The program is more popular than ever at Hingham High School with 110 rowers and coxswains participating in the fall 2021 season,” said Marika Kopp, program director and head girls coach for the Hingham High Crew team. “Our focus is to upgrade our racing fleet and equipment to a level where all the kids can get out on the water to practice and compete in boats that are in solid working order. Our fleet is equivalent to a
facility or sports field.”
HINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL ROWING ASSOCIATION 100% PARENT RUN:
The Hingham High Crew team is 100% funded by athlete fees and fundraisers and is operated by the parent-run Hingham High School Rowing Association (HHSRA) Board.
Established in 2006, HHSRA’s mission is to offer rowing at Hingham Public Schools. Hingham High Crew gains access to train at dual locations at Bare Cove Park and Hingham Harbor thanks to eight major community alliances, including Hingham High School’s Athletic Director Jim Quatromoni, Hingham Maritime Center, and the Town of Hingham.
INSTAGRAM
Instagram @hinghamhighcrew
Sponsorship interest: https://www.hinghamhighcrew.com
HHSRA ADDS UP
HHSRA launched a multi-level sponsorship program to ensure rowing is offered to Hingham Public School students. Hingham Sports Partnership is the first sponsor and supporter to fund and name a new boat to support HHSRA to continue to offer rowing to high school students at Hingham Public Schools. HSP also helped fund the program’s inception in 2006.
The overall plan is to progressively rotate out the current fleet to a new fleet of 12 boats over the next five years, with a total estimated expenditure of $500,000 ($42,000 per boat).
HSP REACHES ALL SPORTS:
HSP offers substantial sporting community support from HSP fundraiser events. HSP has raised more than $2 million over the past 25 years to bolster Hingham’s youth and high school athletic programs, from fully renovating the HHS athletic complex to providing funding to help start up Hingham Youth Track and Field, Hingham Youth Tennis, Hingham Youth Volleyball, the HMS field hockey program, HHS swimming, Harborwomen Hockey, the girls golf program at SSCC, and the HHS Crew team. HSP partnered with Hingham SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) to launch South Shore SNAP (Special Needs Athletic Partnership) and also scholarships for HHS students.
A positive partnership between Hingham High School Rowing Association and HinghamSports Partnership with grants approved to upgrade racing fleet in 2022 and safety coach boat in 2018.
HSP Instagram
Instagram @hsp02043
Facebook @sportspartnership