This year, Kingston Rowing Club celebrates its 150th Anniversary and has secured sponsorship from national law firm, Laytons. The sponsorship will be crucial in developing the club through its anniversary year.

Kingston Rowing Club is one of the world's oldest and most successful amateur rowing clubs. Based on the Thames between Kingston Bridge and Teddington Lock, the club's rowers enjoy one of the longest and calmest stretches of rowing water in the UK.

Laytons Solicitors is a national firm with offices in Manchester, London and also Guildford.  Laytons sponsorship will provide KRC with vital funding which will assist in the hiring of high calibre trainers and new equipment and will support the Club's various initiatives such as Project Oarsome which opens the doors for younger rowers to become involved in the sport.

Andy Hall, Captain of Kingston Rowing Club, said: "2008 is the 150th year of Kingston Rowing Club and we have more people training and learning to row than at any other time in the past, ensuring that our anniversary will be truly memorable.

"The sponsorship money will be split between the junior and senior sides of the Club. It will enable us to up-grade boats and gym equipment plus enable us to continue to provide the high level of coaching currently available to all our members."

Neale Andrews, Managing Partner of Laytons' Guildford office said "Laytons shares many of the values of the Club such as working closely with its local community and being passionate about achieving success through hard work and a strong sense of team spirit.  We very much look forward to becoming more involved with the Club next year and wish the Club and its members luck in future upcoming competitions."

More than 50 men and women are currently training this season at the rowing club, in Canbury Gardens, under the guidance of a professional coach. The intensive training schedule involves land training four times a week and training on the river both days at the weekend.

Crews from Kingston are aiming to enter all of the principal regattas in 2008 culminating with Henley Royal Regatta and the National Championships in July 2008.