Warwick University’s Female Rowing Club have followed the lead of the boys and shot another naked calendar. The girls raised £12,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support last year.
The team shot all of the pictures for their 2016 offering at the university’s boathouse on the River Avon at Barford.
Spokeswoman Amy told the Observer: “We are hoping for another incredible year again in 2016. Last year we had an overwhelming amount of support from the public.
“Our 2016 calendar features some familiar faces, but equally as exciting lots of new faces, as many novice rowers were keen to get involved in such an amazing project.”
And raising money is not the only aim of the calendar. The rowers also hope to promote a message of positive body image and acceptance.
Amy said: “We wanted to show our audience that we are comfortable in our own skin by including photos that show off our bodies for what they are.
“Society is full of stigma against women and men looking a certain way that being exposed in a public calendar is a daunting prospect.
” But, after training together all year around we have a strong sense of teamwork and taking off the sports gear alongside each other makes it a lot less daunting. We train 12 times a week and our bodies reflect that.
“As rowers we need our bodies to be strong and to do what we tell them to do and we’re proud of that. Being confident in our own skin shouldn’t have to be a political statement and if anyone can feel confident enough to bare all then we say kudos.”
The calendar costs £9.99. Visit warwickrowing.org/womens-calendar to buy a copy.
