New RMB billboard campaign supports rowing development

RMB has launched its new billboard campaign, which contributes directly towards developing rowing among young people across society.

The theme of the campaign, #CourageCounts, follows on from RMB’s recent rowing documentary, “A Story of Courage” – a beautiful testament to South African rowers overcoming challenges to rank among the best in the world.

The billboard campaign features a number of personalities from the rowing community, including:

Sandra Khumalo: South African Paralympic rower
Kirsten McCann: RMB National Squad lightweight double rower, 2017 World Rowing Champion, and fifth-placed at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Sizwe Ndlovu: 2012 London Olympics gold medallist
Virginia Mabaso: Head of the RowSA development rowing programme
Lawrence Brittain: 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist

The boards have been erected at a number of schools in and around Johannesburg.

The fees that RMB pays the schools are used to develop partnerships and grow talent within the schools, while a portion goes towards Rowing South Africa’s (RowSA’s) development rowing programme.

RowSA is committed to transforming the sport across race, gender, disability and geographical spread.

“Part of our commitment to rowing in South Africa is a desire to see young talent being identified, nurtured and grown, which will ultimately strengthen South Africa’s rowing talent pipeline,” says RMB’s chief marketing officer, Alison Badenhorst. “The RMB National Rowing Squad relies on schools to put youngsters forward who excel at the sport, thereby ensuring that the squad is sustainable well into the future.”

Development rowing has grown significantly since RMB started providing its support in 2017.

“Helping to develop the sport and increase South Africa’s chance of winning medals on the international stage is key to the bank’s partnership with rowing,” says Badenhorst.

One of the schools that benefit from the billboard campaign is Assumption Convent School (ACS) in Germiston. Its principal, Neville Workman, says the school is proud to have been affiliated with RMB since the start of the bank’s relationship with rowing.

“ACS and RMB share similar values and a commitment to building strong, passionate, resilient and courageous young people,” he says. “We are pleased to continue this special partnership with RMB well into the future.

“We are honoured to have the new billboard, which pays tribute to courageous South Africans whose achievements are world class. They inspire us to pursue our dreams; to persevere and never give up.”

The bank also sponsors four major South African regattas, which further contributes to Rowing South Africa’s development programme.

At a national level the bank’s focus is on the RMB National Squad, which comprises all rowers who represent South Africa in the sport.

“Rowing is a great example of what the perfect balance of individual talent and teamwork can produce,” says former national rower Shaun Keeling, who won a silver medal in the sport at the 2016 Rio Olympics. “Rowing is a great sport for youngsters to get involved in as it helps to develop both physical and mental stamina. It is about focusing on the elements you have control over and blocking out any distractions.”