Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In a move prompted by financial incentives as well as modern thinking, a male sporting bastion has dropped its 179-year bar on women being members.
The 2,800 members of the Leander Rowing Club, which is home to Olympic medallists Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent, voted for the move by a majority of more than the required two-thirds after a three-hour meeting.
The decision has been prompted by an offer of a pounds 1.5m National Lottery grant towards a pounds 2.3m development plan.
One condition is that the club must comply with the Sports Council's open membership policy, which would mean that women must be accepted on the same terms as men.
The National Lottery had made it clear to the club that it could no longer retain its exclusively male membership if it wanted pounds 1.5m.
Leander, based at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, has for years allowed women crews to train, but has never invited them to become members, nor has the club ever built women's changing areas. The decision means they can become members and also use the facilities.
The club's first rule states that "qualification for membership is good fellowship and proficiency in oarsmanship".
Yesterday, Leander's chairman, Chris Rodrigues, said: "The club will remain a high-performance centre".
Mr Rodrigues said the Leander Club would pursue the lottery application, "provided it in no way compromises our rowing centre". He said "the vote was based on principle."
Pinsent, who was in favour of the move, said recently: "Of course, the club should be open to women. Probably a small percentage will object because it has been male-only for nearly 200 years, but that is not a legitimate reason to oppose it."
Dot Blackie, an Olympic oarswoman who coaches the Oxford women's team, said the move was vital if the club was to become a centre of excellence. "We need to be members so we can use their facilities. Most of the women I know don't really care about belonging to the club itself. They have more interesting things to do with their time than join a country club".
Founded in 1818, Leander is Britain's oldest rowing club and the leading centre for the men's heavyweight national squad. In recent years it has provided the bulk of Britain's international teams, including more than half of the men's heavyweight teams for the Atlanta Olympics last year.
The club can now expect to receive pounds 1.5m towards the rebuilding and expansion of their Henley clubhouse, which celebrates the centenary of its building this year.
Their expansion plans include a purpose-built gymnasium, facilities for physiotherapy, medical assessment and treatment, and women's changing rooms.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments