Tag Archives: supporters

Boat Club’s New Eight Named After Stratford’s Silver Olympian

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Sunday marked a special day for Stratford Boat Club as they named their ‘new’ lightweight eight after Stratford’s Silver Olympian, Esmé Booth

Eric Appleton, Chairman of Stratford upon Avon Boat Club, welcomed the Club’s members and invited guests to the boat naming ceremony by highlighting Esmé’s remarkable journey from a Boat Club junior to Silver Olympian and the hard work that she and her coaches had put in over the years and how her positive attitude and perseverance were an inspiration not only to aspiring juniors but to members throughout the Club

The Chairman commented further by saying, “Naming a boat after someone is one of the highest honours that a rowing club can bestow: it creates a lasting connection between that individual’s achievements and the generations that follow. We hope that every crew who rows in this eight, or any other boat for that matter, will be inspired by the example that Esmé has set and embrace the values that helped Esmé get to her Olympic standard: commitment, perseverance, sportsmanship and ambition”

Stratford’s President Jen Cary echoed the Chairman’s sentiments and spoke of the strength of the Club, the people who made it what it is and thanked members, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, donors and fundraisers who work tirelessly for the Club and benefit the whole local community

After the unveiling and naming of the boat by Esmé herself, the members and guests went into the Club Room for q and a session with Esmé and some refreshments

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page nineteen and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/news/stratford-s-olympic-medalist-esme-booth-has-boat-named-in-he-9487171 and also Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/boat-named-in-honour-of-medal-winning-olympian-rower-64989

Stratford’s Dewdney Awarded British Rowing’s Medal of Merit!

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In his award citation, Alastair Marks, Chief Executive of British Rowing stated, “Mark also received multiple nominations from across his region for the work that he has done to raise the profile of adaptive rowing.

He coaches a substantial number of adaptive rowers at his own club at Stratford upon Avon and oversees a large group of volunteers, but his contribution to adaptive rowing has been much wider than that, with a major impact on a national level.

Mark has helped to develop the recent national strategy for adaptive rowing and has enabled coaches of adaptive rowers across the country to share ideas and good practice on adaptive rowing.

As Chair of the British Rowing Club Adaptive Group, which Mark helped to establish, he is in constant conversation with rowing and disability focussed organisations and gives up significant amounts of his time to assist other rowing clubs and competitions across the country in planning adaptive categories, providing guidance to safety considerations and logistical planning.

At international level, Mark has organised for Clubs in the UK to attend Para competitions in Italy and has met with international Para coaches to share ideas.”

Commenting further, Paul Stanton, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s President said, “The whole Club is very proud of Mark and his achievements and especially the recognition from British Rowing, the sport’s governing body: Mark’s dedication to the sport and the hours of dedication mirror the efforts of all Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s coaches, launch drivers, committee members, supporters and volunteers. We are so grateful to all of them!”

For media coverage, see British Rowing news https://www.britishrowing.org/2024/01/2023-british-rowing-awards-winners-announced; Stratford Herald page forty five and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/rowing-coach-presented-with-top-award-9351047 and Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-clubs-dewdney-awarded-british-rowings-medal-of-merit and back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2024/02/02&pages=24

Attending a special awards presentation in London was Mark Dewdney, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s Head Adaptive Coach. Earlier in the month, Mark was awarded British Rowing’s Medal of Merit for his services to rowing

At the ceremony hosted by Fortnum & Mason, Love Rowing and British Rowing, Mark was presented with his award by Moe Sbihi MBE and with some of rowing’s ‘royalty’ of Dr Cath Bishop, Ellen Buttrick, Alastair Marks, Richard Phelps, Tanni Gray-Thompson and Ben Pritchard applauding at the award ceremony!