Three Year Deal Confirms Law Firm As Choice For Sports Governing Bodies

Irwin Mitchell has been announced as the Official Legal Partner to British Rowing, with a brief to support the organisation’s legal work and its commitment to becoming more diverse.

Brokered on behalf of British Rowing by Rocket Sports, the three-year deal will see Irwin Mitchell working in partnership with British Rowing’s in-house legal team, its 530 clubs, 200+ events and 30,000 members to support their legal needs.

The firm will support British Rowing with the full portfolio of legal work, encompassing IP and data protection, commercial advisory, risk management and disputes, employment, safeguarding and sponsorship.

As the national governing body, British Rowing is responsible for the development of rowing in England and the training and selection of rowers to represent Great Britain at World Championships and Olympic and Paralympic Games. The last 35 years has continued to see the sport thrive, with rowing one of GB’s most successful Olympic sports.

As the new Official Legal Partner, Irwin Mitchell will be working alongside British Rowing to ensure this success continues, with the firm enjoying a strong track record of support for sporting bodies.

News of the partnership follows Irwin Mitchell becoming the official legal partner of England Rugby in 2019, which has already seen the introduction of a Legal and Tax Helpline to support member clubs and the development of a new mentoring programme for young players.

Irwin Mitchell’s sports law team acts for individuals, agents, clubs and governing bodies across a range of legal, financial and tax work.

The firm also works in partnership with sports stars such as para-table tennis player Ross Wilson, who will be defending his title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft MBE, who has supported Irwin Mitchell initiatives such as Don’t Quit, Do It, to encourage more people to get involved in disability sports. 

Irwin Mitchell will be now looking to explore how to add value to the organisation’s network of clubs and members and supporting British Rowing in their aim to see the flagship boats at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 be a reflection of the best of modern British society.

Expert Opinion

“With a proud history of working alongside sporting governing bodies both here and abroad, we’re very excited to be working with British Rowing to help them achieve their future aims and vision of representing a modern, diverse, British society.

“We already share many values with British Rowing and we are looking forward to working with them and their clubs and members across the country.

“Through our partnership with England Rugby and the mentoring network set up for young players we’re delivering positive outcomes for British sport both nationally and in the communities in which we live, even under a national lockdown.

“We’re now looking forward to working with British Rowing, their clubs and members in a similar fashion, and congratulate them on their recent top-of-the-table successes at the European Rowing Championships and World Rowing Cup II. And of course we will be cheering on the GB Rowing Team later this summer in Tokyo.” Hannah Clipston - Director of Strategic Growth (Corporates ＆ Institutions)

Andy Parkinson, British Rowing CEO, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Irwin Mitchell as our official legal partner and we’re excited at the potential this partnership has to deliver tangible change - not only to our affiliated clubs and members, but also with respect to our ongoing work in making rowing an inclusive and diverse sport that welcomes and has an offer for everyone.

“There are already a number of excellent conversations going on between British Rowing and Irwin Mitchell and we’re looking forward to sharing these with the rowing community in due course.”