Awards Galore for Boat Club Members!

At its recent AGM, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club took time out to recognize ‘Personalities of the Year’: these are awards voted on by all the coaches of the Club. The pots for the awards were donated by Felix Badcock’s (immediate Past President) wife Jane from the vast collection that Felix had amassed over many years of competitive rowing which gave the awards special provenance and significance
The Junior Felix Award was presented to Martha Usselmann. Her citation read, “Martha has assisted with every session of the Participation Group since the Autumn. She has developed a good relationship with the athletes and provides excellent technical input and coaching on land and on water”
The Senior Felix Award for 2022 was awarded to Paul Beardmore. His citation read, “Paul is a regular, constant and reliable helper with the adaptive, progression and daytime rower squads, getting boats ready for the adaptive rowers and helping the athletes into their boats and crewing on the safety launch. In addition, Paul is always willing to help in other duties such as jet washing and cleaning the launches, jet washing the boating areas and other maintenance tasks”
Commenting, Dawson Curnock, Chairman of Stratford Boat Club said, “Stratford Boat Club is built on the ethos of volunteering and Martha and Paul exemplify this in bucket loads. It is heartening to see more volunteers stepping forward to help with our regatta in a couple of weeks’ time on Saturday 18 June and many helpers have also signed up to become qualified launch drivers to assist our coaches and ensure the safety of our members whilst out on the water”
The week started well also for the Club’s Head Adaptive Coach Mark Dewdney who was presented with Mayor’s Award 2021/2022 by Cllr Kevin Taylor, the outgoing Mayor of Stratford upon Avon. Cllr Taylor commented, “This was one of the last and most pleasurable task that I undertook whilst I was still in office, and this was to present my Mayor’s Award 2021/2022 to someone I believe has got that little extra when it comes to community spirit. Mark is a truly inspirational character with a vision of creating an incredibly inclusive and important section of a great sporting club. He works tirelessly to deliver and although now supported by a very willing number of dedicated volunteers, without his vision drive and enthusiasm this would have never happened. Volunteers such as Mark are critical in the delivery of projects in the area: they are the catalysts in delivering programmes such as this. Well done, Mark: this award is incredibly well deserved!”
Commenting further, Paul Stanton, Stratford Boat Club’s President said, “Mark continues to inspire all around with his tireless efforts with the adaptive squad not only within Stratford but nationally where Stratford’s adaptive squad has become an exemplar for disabled sport”

For media mention, please see Stratford Herald page fifty nine and Stratford Observer online https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/…/rowing-stratford… and back sports page https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2022/06/10&pages=024

Awards and Appointments at Stratford Boat Club

At their recent annual general meeting, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club made several awards and appointments. Appointed as Club Welfare Officer was Heather Hayton, Masters’ sculler, and as Club Safety Advisor, Ian Wilcox. Their appointments were unanimously agreed by Club members at the AGM

Commenting, Paul Stanton, President of Stratford upon Avon Boat Club, said, “Stratford Boat Club depends entirely on volunteers and it is most heartening to welcome Heather and Ian into senior posts: their expertise and enthusiasm will be a great asset in the years to come. The management and running of the Club depends entirely on volunteers such as committee members, coaches, vice captains, boat maintenance, safety and training launch drivers and other volunteers and those who run our special events such as our regatta and Fun Regatta. Without them, the Club would not exist!”

Awarded at the AGM was the Junior Felix Award. The Club took time to recognize ‘The Junior Personality of the Year’: this award was voted on by all the coaches of the Club. The pots for the award were donated by Felix Badcock’s (immediate Past President) wife Jane from the vast collection that Felix had amassed over many years of competitive rowing which give the awards special provenance and significance

The Junior Felix Award was presented to Lucy Browne. Lucy’s citation from the coaches reads: “Lucy stands out as a junior member showing a true Club ethos. Always happy to prioritise her time for others and give support, advice and a smiling face to members of all ages. She is genuinely valued by the Club in what has been a very challenging year for all and she is a role model to younger athletes and a good ambassador for the Club ensuring that the positive reputation for Stratford is maintained outside our usual sphere”

Said Dawson Curnock, Chairman of Stratford upon Avon Boat Club, “We are very proud of Lucy and what she has achieved over this last difficult year and the massive help that she has been to the Junior squad: a shining example of selflessness and concern for others!”

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page fifty nine