The boat club has revamped and developed their old website into a crucial fundraising and club communication platform. These improvements are being made possible because of the stalwart support of patrons such as well-known Barber Robbie Connaughton, owner of Barber Bobs, Monksland who has donated towards running costs for the coming year. Robbie is a consistent supporter of the clubs and charities across Athlone. The other sponsor to this new site is Filippi Ireland, the clubs boat provider. The club is extremely thankful to both businesses for their support.

The new website is designed to support Athlone Boat Club with online ticket sales for their fundraising in the years ahead and to enhance communication with supporters and members. This is being harnessed by using similar platforms such as the Clubzap website that St. Francis’ FC are currently using. According to Padraig Hegarty committee member, “having seen the ease and functionality of St. Francis’ FC website, it was a no-brainer to adopt the same for the Boat Club. Fundraising is crucial for us, so this will help us keep things going, especially during the completion of our new development!”

Barber Bobs barber shop is an exceedingly popular business in Monksland since opening its doors in March 2012. Proprietor Robbie Connaughton has always been an avid sponsor of local sports and charities. He believes what goes around comes around and he is delighted to part of the new and exciting future of the boat club in Athlone. “It’s a fine organisation and I’m glad to be in a position that I can help out” says Robbie. 

Barber Bob’s is at the heart of the community in Monksland and Athlone. “We know our customers, we know their families and we are there for them for all occasions in their lives – first haircut, a haircut for a job interview, the cut for their wedding or holiday. When they sit into that chair it is like a form of therapy for many customers, they chat about families, jobs, everything from the happy occasions to the more troubling times of their lives. And that is something that is now missing unfortunately due to been closed all in solidarity to beat the curve of this virus”.

Robbie added, “we are a family-oriented barber shop, and we share in the events of customers’ lives – I want the three-year-old to leave as happy as the 40-year-old. I want to see the scared toddler who comes through the door leaving with a haircut, a smile, and a lollipop. Myself and my staff are hopeful that we will be back open soon to welcome all of our lovely customers back to Barber Bobs for their long-awaited haircuts along with lots of craic and laughter. I’m sure the locals miss that interaction”. 

Athlone Boat Club is delighted to have Robbie as a sponsor, especially during these testing times. A direct link to Barber Bobs website for booking appointments will be linked to the new look Athlone Boat Club website. As a club, we are very lucky to have such an amazing business community in Athlone, this community have backed us for many years. We are near the completion of a new state of the art rowing facility for Athlone.

Padraig concluded by saying “it is people like Robbie that ensure we future proof sports organisations in the town for the next generation, this is done by great business support and donations”.