Dear Friend of the Stewards Foundation,

Our mission is to use the sport of rowing to teach Tampa youth about teamwork, dedication and living a life of fitness.  Founded in 1991, we offer programs to teenagers and adults in the greater Tampa and Hillsborough County area so that every athlete and student can benefit from the discipline and cooperation and commitment that participating in rowing requires.  By Raising funds to make this program viable, accessible and competitive to all, regardless of their socio-economic background, in this past year alone, we have had 30 participants from eight different area high schools – both public and private schools.

During the summer we offer introductory rowing programs for those new to the sport.  We use the Pocock Foundations’ Model for Out Reach, we include people from the area that do not view themselves as rowers and would not have the opportunity or means to participate.  This year we are once again working with the Parks Department in Tampa to bring rowing to area youth. Our emphasis of teaching within their camp will include teambuilding and leadership skills unique to the art of rowing.

Rowing is a true teambuilding sport-- as the boat goes nowhere unless the whole team is working together. 

Rowing is unique as a sport in the world because 74% of the athletes worldwide acquire a university degree and 64% have a post graduate degree. The sport provides academic and athletic scholarship opportunities and develops the skills required to succeed academically, athletically and be able to apply those talents learned in college effectively.  The staff at The Stewards Foundation spends hours at practice investing time in our youth to ensure that their academic strengths can be combined with their athletic excellence to attain scholarships for higher education.

Rowing is a sport unlike any other. Imagine the thrill of truly competing as a team, "flying on water," rowing a boat as a skilled unit requires dedication, hard work and the commitment to encourage, motivate and pull each other towards the finish line…exemplifying true teamwork.

Together… we can achieve these goals.

We are currently looking for donations for the 2012 fiscal year. Our goal this year is truly ambitious but we hope to raise $50,000 which will enable us to:

Your gift to The Stewards Foundation will truly impact the future of our programs. Please help us grow our programs so that we may bring the rowing experience to more Tampa area youth. Your support of any size will help to benefit our youth programs.