Triumphs to savour on and off the water - The Stratford Observer

Triumphs to savour on and off the water

Stratford Editorial 6th Feb, 2017 Updated: 6th Feb, 2017   0

STRATFORD Boat Club’s Masters coxed four turned on the style to win the open coxed fours event at Wycliffe Big Head of the River on Saturday.

The Masters crew of Simon Skillings (stroke), Tim Lunel (3), Tim Hayter (2) and Wallace Brown (bow), coxed by Jen Cary, completed the 4.5km course in 18 minutes, 32 seconds.

Cary said: “It was a promising start to the season and particularly pleasing to beat so many good younger crews from rival regional clubs.”

Meanwhile, off the water it was a weekend to savour for Masters rower Glyn Hawkins who was presented with British Rowing’s most prestigious honour as Volunteer of the Year.




Annamarie Phelps CBE, chairwoman of British Rowing, said: “The British Rowing Volunteer of the Year Awards lunch is one of our most important events. It celebrates all that is best about our sport of rowing.

“The very many volunteers and coaches across the length and breadth of the country that give up their days, evenings and weekends to enable others to get out on to the water and take part in the gym are indispensable.


“Those receiving the award have been singled out amongst all these amazing volunteers, by their peers, because of the outstanding impact they have made at their club.

“It is not just the time and energy – and in many cases hard earned cash – that make rowing the amazing community that it is. In whatever region and with whatever age group or ability the volunteer works, it is the generosity, professionalism and enthusiasm that inspires those around the volunteer.”

For the West Midlands Regional Winner Club Administration Category Volunteer Award, Glyn’s citation read: “Glyn acted as ‘The Customer’ during the planning, design and build phase of Stratford Boat Club’s biggest club project over a generation, costing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“His commitment and level of involvement during the entire project means Stratford Boat Club now has a facility that enables the club to grow and flourish, no longer constrained by its facilities.

“Also, Glyn’s design skill means Stratford Boat Club is now the envy of the region and is a fantastic venue for fund-raising and events, ensuring a steady venue stream for the club which will help the boat club to further improve its rowing performance.

“Without Glyn’s full-time dedication and expertise, Stratford Boat Club would not have been able to undertake a project on such a scale, let alone to the standard and cost he has achieved.

“Without the extension, Stratford Boat Club would not be able to grow membership. Without the refurbishment, it would not have been able to keep its tenancy. Glyn’s involvement has secured the future of Stratford Boat Club.”

Jen Cary, British Rowing’s West Midlands Region Council representative and captain emeritus of Stratford Boat Club, said: “Although Glyn has been honoured by the club for his outstanding service and has been presented with life membership, being awarded the very prestigious British Rowing Volunteer of the Year award is a very fitting and well deserved accolade and perfectly reflects Glyn’s dedication.”

Glyn’s award was presented by Dame Katherine Grainger DBE, the British rower with five Olympic medals and Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.

Katherine is a 2012 Olympic gold medallist, four-time Olympic silver medallist and six-time World champion. The presentation luncheon was at the Henley River & Rowing Museum.

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