Birmingham hosts first women-only boat race tournament for city

Birmingham has held its first-ever bell boat race tournament exclusively for women and young children to mark Women’s History Month.

Held in March, a month which also commemorates International Women’s Day, the city’s first Women’s Regatta took place on the canals beside the Star City family leisure complex in Nechells.

Hosting 17 teams, each made up of 8 paddlers, the community tournament was held to inspire and empower women who don’t usually get the opportunity to enjoy a traditionally male dominated sport and to encourage local residents to make use of outdoor spaces in the city.

Contenders who joined the event included first-time rowers as well as seasoned professionals, all of whom were given training by organisers. The vast majority of the teams were led by women, with mixed-gender teams for young children.

Amongst those who entered the regatta were an all-female Peaky Blinders team, teams from Aston social empowerment hub Saathi House, Legacy WM in Lozells, West Midlands Police, Swift Cruisers, New Hope Global, Baby Bengal Tigers, Ninja Warriors, the ‘Unsinkables’ and Squid Squad.

All of the teams raced 3 times each and then the 3rd and 4th best crews had a race-off for 3rd place while the top 2 crews raced-off for 1st and 2nd place; with winning teams receiving trophies and medals. Sponsorship money was fundraised by participants for The Gift of Vision, a charity which works to help people with sight disabilities in Bangladesh.

Supported by the West Midlands Canal and River Trust, the competition was organised by local women following a suggestion by Aliur Rahman, a co-founder of the Nowka Bais boat race which is held annually at Edgbaston Reservoir.

Naseem Akhtar, leader of Saheli Hub, a group that promotes health & wellbeing among South Asian women in the region, helped manage proceedings on the day.

“This is the first women’s regatta being held in Birmingham and there’s 17 entrants, teams of 8, and we’re – just on a beautiful sunny day – taking some time out on the canal to race and to win.”

“I think there’s been many regattas across the country but this is the one where it’s women from inner city communities, diverse communities, and it’s to show that women from all communities; if they’re given the right opportunities, supported in the right way, they can take part in any kind of sport or physical activity.

“I think there will be some rivalry set up today, they’ll be wanting to win for the next time, so it will grow and get bigger. Organisations like ours are supporting today, we haven’t entered an official team but we’ve entered a team with some of the participants who have been bell boating with us over the last year, and been on the canals with us kayaking so they’ve managed to get a team together and they’re racing here today. So hopefully it will just grow.”

Co-organiser Shamima Khaton said the women wanted to do something different and will be moving forward with hosting the regatta every year.

“We wanted to create a unique event so we got Aliur Rahman, who has been training women for a while now and they have been asking to have a competition so we thought let’s organise something for the women, by the women and so women can have the opportunity to take part.

“What could be better than taking part in an event like this during the month of celebrating women and International Women’s Day.”

Joining the Saathi House team, Fateha Begum was pleasantly surprised to discover there was a canal not far from where she lives.

“This is the first time I’ve been to Star City and realised there’s a canal, and I’ve lived here literally all my life. It’s like, wow, there’s all these things that we didn’t even know existed and it’s only when you get involved you find out there’s a lot more on your doorstep that you didn’t realise was there.

“I’m on the Saathi House team and I’ve really enjoyed it. We got to meet a few new women who have joined the team as well, and also just catching up with old friends who we haven’t seen for ages. It’s good to see that the city’s still linked in ways so even though we’re in different teams, we’ve still got a common purpose.”

Begum said she wanted to take part in outdoor activities and do it for a good cause.

“We are raising funds for cataract operations in Bangladesh. I’m here to support this event, really, I’m of Bangladeshi heritage and I just think it’s really nice to be out on the water doing the sports that you don’t really associate with Bangladeshi women, or women in general.

“Diversity is important so that we all still have those conversations, talk to each other, still learn about each other and really appreciate our differences and also appreciate what brings us together. Celebrating International Women’s Day and the month in general is important to come together as a community and support each other. That’s really important, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, we’re all human, we all have the same experiences, the same feelings and really enjoy that and enjoy life, I think that’s quite important.”

“It’s nice to come and celebrate being a woman, being sporty, active and enjoying each other’s company on a fairly nice day. The other thing is the activities that are on offer from the Canal and Rivers Trust, because I’ve not really got involved with anything that they’ve done so this is quite new to me and I would really like to see women’s rowing clubs, more of them in Birmingham.”

Another participant, Marcia Dunkley, said she had boat racing as one of the things on her bucket list.

“This is my first time ever on the water. I actually said that when I reach the grand old age of 50, I want to tick off things on my bucket list and this is one of them.

“I’m on the Legacy WM team and basically our group asked me to come along because they know I’ve never done this and I’m actually frightened of water and I said ‘no, no, no’ and they said ‘Marcia, come on, enjoy the challenge’ and it’s actually been fantastic!

“It’s been fantastic, I really do advise anyone to really come and enjoy these events, it’s fantastic!”

The event was opened by Cllr Nagina Kauser (Lab), representing the Aston ward, who said she was “privileged and honoured to see women from all backgrounds, faith and communities just getting together, having a brilliant day and having fun”.

The Women’s Regatta is set to be staged again next year with all-female teams taking part. Participants will also be joining mixed teams at this year’s Nowka Bais bell boat racing event at Edgbaston Reservoir on Sunday 25 July.