Have you ever wondered how to keep young athletes motivated when training starts to feel like a repetitive routine? At the KeYs Project, we’ve spent the last few seasons answering that very question across three countries: Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia.
Our mission is simple but vital: to support young rowers in staying motivated, enjoying their training, and developing both as athletes and individuals. By introducing fresh activities and giving athletes a voice, we are tackling the challenge of early sports dropout head-on.
What’s New in the Boat? 🌊
We’ve moved beyond traditional rowing to embrace a more diversified, athlete-centered approach. This includes:
- Coastal Rowing & Mixed Crews: Partner clubs like Adriatico Fano, Arupinum, and Piran have integrated coastal rowing and mixed-gender/mixed-club crews to make training more dynamic.
- Athlete Choice: One of our most successful initiatives was giving athletes the chance to choose their own training activities. From yoga and mountain biking to hiking and dodgeball, the results were clear: more fun equals more engagement!
Unforgettable Team Building 🏔️
Our international camps were the highlights of the project, fostering intercultural exchange and personal growth:
- Fano Summer Camp (2025): A week of coastal rowing, kayaking in the Furlo Gorge, and urban orienteering.
- Planica Winter Camp (2026): For many athletes, this was their first experience with cross-country skiing and visiting the Olympic rowing center in Bled.
The Results are In! 📈
The data speaks for itself. Across all three clubs, we have seen a steady increase in training attendance. For example, Rowing Club Piran saw attendance jump from 47.3% to 64.6% in less than two seasons, while Arupinum reached 55.5%.
Sustainable Legacy: Beyond the Finish Line 🏁🌱
As the KeYs project officially nears its conclusion, our work is far from over. We have built a lasting legacy designed to endure:
- Permanent Methodology: The “diversified training” approach has now become a core part of our partner clubs’ annual programs, ensuring that future generations of rowers will continue to benefit from these innovative practices.
- Strengthened Networks: The cooperation between clubs in Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia will continue through annual joint regattas and exchange visits, maintaining the international bond we’ve built.
- Open Resources: All the tools and findings developed during the project remain available to other sports organizations, helping to reduce dropout rates across the wider sporting community.
The KeYs project may be reaching its final date, but the momentum it has created will keep our young athletes moving for years to come!
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