ROWERS from Stratford upon Avon Boat Club have been a familiar sight on the Avon for 150 years.
And while they may face the other way when going forward on the water, eyes at the club are firmly looking ahead to the future.
The club was formed in 1874, five years before The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre opened on the bank of the river.
The central part of the clubhouse, next to the Tramway bridge, dates from the 1890s and remained much the same until after the Second World War.
The efforts of members, often building facilities themselves, has added various areas since then, the last being the Gym Pavillion in 2015.
It was initially a men’s only club, and it was only in the 1970s, a century after its foundation, that women were allowed to become full members.
The club’s long history includes some outstanding achievements, including the crew that got to the final of the trials for the 1948 London Olympics, a Gold Medal for James Roe at the 2012 Paralympics in London, and an Olympic Silver medal for Esme Booth in Paris last year.
Visit www.stratford-rowing.co.uk for further details.
Members tell what Stratford Boat Club means to them:
Junior coordinator Steve Wellstead said: “We have a thriving squad of around 80 boys and girls alongside a growing number of adaptive junior rowers.
“Our mission is to prepare young athletes for a lifelong passion in rowing. With that goal, our junior programme offers them the full spectrum of the sport – sculling, rowing, coxing, coaching and more.
“Competing across regional and national events, Stratford Boat Club’s juniors are a regular presence at some of the country’s most competitive races, bringing back medals and trophies that celebrate a tradition of success.
“None of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteer coaches, safety launch drivers and the many supporters who make it all happen.
“But perhaps the strongest testament to our junior programme is the legacy of our athletes. Many go on to row at other clubs and universities, some become coaches guiding the next generation and a select few have even reached the heights of Olympic and World Champion glory.”
Members tell what Stratford Boat Club means to them:
Julian Foster, long standing volunteer, former Club Captain and Masters sculler, said: “My first thought on being a volunteer was of immense gratitude to the many people who have selflessly given their time and energy to Stratford Boat Club.
“My first serious stint as a volunteer was captaining the club in the mid 1990’s when it had suffered several setbacks. I am eternally grateful to the many people who stepped up to do tasks such as repairing boats, helping with fundraising, coaching and acting as vice captains for the different squads.”
Camilla Hadland-Horrocks, Gold medalist at World Rowing Junior Championships 2010 and rowing commentator, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the club feature so strongly at every level of the sport, international, national, grassroots and also participating in brilliant community initiatives.
“What makes the club so successful and special is its ability to support members and athletes with whatever their aspirations may be.
“The club was instrumental in making me feel welcome and at home with a new sport when first taking it up at Stratford School and encouraged me to take it all the way to the highest level.”
Amanda Bowden: Masters’ Vice Captain and medal winning Masters’ sculler and rower, said: “The Masters’ squad has seen considerable growth in rowing membership post Covid. It is now a regular occurrence to see Masters’ crews taking to the river every day of the week and throughout the seasons in all boat classes.
“The aim of the squad is twofold – firstly to enable members to row independently as single scullers, giving flexibility to enjoy the river when they have the opportunity and secondly to join the squad, connecting and meeting other members to form crews, thereby having fun rowing in a variety of boat classes.”
Esme Booth, Olympic silver and World Rowing Championship medallist, said: “I owe so much of my success to Stratford Boat Club. Growing up in Stratford, the club was where I first learned to row, and it was here that my journey in the sport began.
“The supportive environment taught me essential skills and instilled in me the discipline needed to operate at the highest level.
“Rowing isn’t just about medals, it’s about enjoying the journey, seizing every opportunity and putting in the hard work. The support and encouragement from Stratford Boat Club’s coaches and my teammates made those early years memorable and motivating. They showed me that success doesn’t just mean winning but taking every opportunity and always giving it one hundred percent.”
Imogen North, Seniors’ Vice Captain and J17/18 coach, said: “Rowing is an addictive sport which, for many like me, becomes not just a sport but a way of life. I have been a member of Stratford Boat Club since 2010, when I was just 12-years-old.
“Over the years, my involvement with the club has evolved from a junior athlete, to a university student training over the holidays and now as a junior squad coach and Senior Vice Captain.
“At each stage, there have been different challenges balancing training, study, work, social life and my coaching and committee roles within the club but one thing always remained the same, my passion for the sport.”
Mark Dewdney, Head Adaptive Coach, British Rowing Medal of Merit 2023 and British Rowing West Midlands Lifetime Achievement Award 2021, said: “Stratford’s award winning Adaptive Section started in 2015, is the largest most impairment diverse squad in the UK. Membership of some 20 athletes, the squad has an enviable competitive record. It is widely regarded as the most advanced provision in the country and, as such, it has an important role in mentoring other less experienced clubs on best practice, safety and other matters.
“The primary focus is delivery of an enjoyable sport to many but with the ability to support those with paralympic ambitions. The recent formation of a junior adaptive squad bodes well for the future.”
PIC CAPTIONS
Rowers have been a familiar sight on the Avon for 150 years.
Olympic silver medallist Esme Booth chats with young members of Stratford Boat Club.
