British Rowing ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for Stratford’s Hawkins

SuABC Hawkins VOTY 2Last weekend was a busy one for Stratford upon Avon Boat Club on and off the water. Whilst winning pots and medals at heads and regattas is very gratifying for crews, Stratford Boat Club felt enormous pride when Master’s member Glyn Hawkins was presented with British Rowing’s most prestigious honour as ‘Volunteer of the Year’

Said Annamarie Phelps CBE, Chairman of British Rowing, the sport’s governing body, “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 onto 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 Region Regional Winner Club Administration Category Volunteer Award, Glyn Hawkins’ citation read:-

“Glyn acted as ‘The Customer’ during the planning, design and build phase of Stratford upon Avon 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 meant that Stratford upon Avon Boat Club now have a facility that enables the cub to grow and flourish, no longer constrained by their facilities. Also, Glyn’s design skill means that the Stratford Boat Club is now the envy of the region and is a fantastic venue for fundraising and events, ensuring a steady venue stream for the club which will help the Boat Club to further improve their rowing performance.

Without Glyn’s full-time dedication and expertise, Stratford upon Avon 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 upon Avon Boat Club would not be able to grow membership. Without the refurbishment, the Boat Club would not have been able to keep their tenancy. Glyn’s involvement has secured the future of Stratford upon Avon Boat Club.”

Said Jen Cary, British Rowing’s West Midlands Region Council representative and captain emeritus of Stratford upon Avon Boat Club, “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 Jane Grainger DBE who is the British rower with five Olympic medals and is Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian. Katherine is a 2012 Summer Olympics gold medallist, four-time Olympic silver medallist and six-time World Champion. The presentation luncheon was at the Henley River & Rowing Museum.

See also Stratford Observer on line: https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/…/triumphs-to-savour-on-and…

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