> against them; sometimes losing, sometimes
winning; being equals.”
Talk of the Town, 11 July 2008
And the ideas keep flowing. Blom hopes to
develop a club house where rowers can go after
Daily Dispatch, 12 December 2007
Blom uses rowing as the vehicle to teach them
everything else especially a new mindset. “That is
90 per cent of what is needed to get somewhere
in life. The other 10 per cent is education. The
quality of education here is very poor. To address
this problem we offer our rowers extra lessons
in mathematics and English. We look at each
individual rower and decide how he or she can
get the right education that will offer them the
best opportunities in life.”
school for homework support, computer classes,
a good meal and shower and, of course, rowing
sessions. Blom is also looking into starting a school
and establishing a provincial sports academy in
Port Alfred.
Blom welcomes visitors from other countries
and recently a volunteer from the United States,
Aaron Block, stayed for six months helping to
coach and run the club. ■ M.S.B.
The NematoRowing Club operates out of a
storage container with boats kept under trees
outside and an office in the township that
doubles as Blom’s house. “The office is also used
by the rowers. It is their only access to computers
and internet and their only chance to develop
crucial computer skills.”
Already Blom can proudly point to achievements.
From small beginnings, 22 rowers competed in the
2008 season. Former club captain Athenkosi Hlekani
is the first person from the rowing club to go to
university. And now a second, Lubabalo Matthews,
has received a bursary to go. They both now row
for the University of Johannesburg. In 2006 the club
won the Jack Cheetham Award for the best sport
development project in South Africa.
