Leveling the Playing Field: How the Pocock Foundation’s Athlete Support & Retention Scholarships Transform Access to Rowing

Jun 13

In a sport historically seen as exclusive, the George Pocock Rowing Foundation is rewriting the narrative—one scholarship at a time. Through its Athlete Support & Retention Program, the Foundation is opening the boathouse doors to youth who may otherwise never experience the unique magic of rowing.

But this program is about far more than financial aid—it’s about thoughtful, athlete-centered administration that affirms dignity, fosters belonging, and nurtures potential.

What Makes This Program Unique

While many youth sports scholarships aim to remove cost barriers, the GPRF’s Athlete Support & Retention Program goes far deeper—embedding personalized support into every aspect of the experience.

What sets the program apart isn’t just that it provides access—it’s how it provides access:

Anonymity Without Stigma: Coaches and teammates don’t know who’s on scholarship. This protects each athlete’s privacy and ensures that every rower belongs fully and authentically—without labels or assumptions.
A Human Touch: Every family speaks one-on-one with our Program Manager Mark Davis, creating space for trust, support, and tailored problem-solving—whether it’s help with gear, transportation, or team communication.
Holistic Wraparound Support: Scholarships cover far more than just registration. They may include swim lessons, regatta fees, gear from JL Racing, college recruitment counseling, and stipends for travel—because true equity means removing all the barriers to participation.
Built on Trust, Not Tryouts: The GPRF’s scholarships are awarded based on financial need, not athletic performance. No metrics, no tryouts—just a clear path for kids to show up, learn, and grow.
Local Delivery, National Standards: While scholarships are used at local community boathouses, the GPRF maintains a centralized and standardized evaluation process—ensuring fairness, transparency, and consistency at scale.

“I think this program is unique because a kid on a GPRF scholarship is just like any other kid at the boathouse. They get the same amazing experience—it’s a direct line to all the things we think are incredible about rowing, without the pressure of performance.” - Mark Davis, GPRF Athlete Support and Retention Manger

Administrative Strength, Shared Values

Even for clubs with their own scholarship funds, partnering with the GPRF provides significant advantages.

By allowing the Foundation to administer scholarships—even those funded locally—clubs benefit from:

Confidentiality: Families apply through the GPRF’s centralized portal, preserving athlete anonymity while easing the administrative burden on boathouse staff and volunteers.
Standardized Review: All applications are evaluated using consistent, national benchmarks that include household income, family context, and number of dependents—ensuring fairness and removing subjective decision-making.
Equity in Execution: Because the GPRF handles eligibility and communication, club coaches can focus on coaching—not finances—confident that every athlete is treated with dignity and discretion.
Scalable Support: Rowing clubs can trust that scholarships are managed efficiently, renewals are tracked, and impact is measured—without adding administrative strain to their operations.

This model empowers clubs to be generous and just, ensuring their funds have maximum impact while protecting the well-being and pride of the athletes they serve.

A Thoughtful, Athlete-Centered Approach

Families reapply for scholarships every six months—an approach that not only allows the GPRF team to check in and reassess need, but also ensures continued connection and care. With over 90% of applicants qualifying and a 90% retention rate across the program, it’s clear this approach works.

Creating Inclusive, Healing-Centered Boathouses

Beyond scholarships, the Athlete Support and Retention Program invests in the environment in which young athletes row. Through partnerships with A Long Talk and trauma-informed coaching organizations, the GPRF offers inclusive, healing-centered training to boathouse partners. These sessions—open to coaches, board members, and staff—support a culture where all athletes feel safe, welcomed, and seen.

Real Reach, Real Results

The scholarship program currently operates in partnership with over a dozen boathouses across the Pacific Northwest, with a 2025 goal to fund 130 full or partial scholarships. Despite its growing reach, Athlete Support and Retention retains its personal, human-centered focus—ensuring each athlete is supported from the first stroke to the last.

“I truly love the sport. It’s the only one I’ve ever stuck with, and having the support has made it possible to show up every day feeling like I belong.”- Scholarship Athlete

Learn more or support the program >>> www.pocockfoundation.org/athlete-support