It has been a busy year for adaptive rowing in the West Midlands. From having almost zero rowing activity for those with a disability, this has now grown to five rowing clubs in the Region able to provide activity on the water with coaching, coaching support and training.
The West Midlands Disability Rowing Association (WMDRA) has been able to provide training, run events and, with the help of several generous grants and donations, purchase a range of equipment. This activity has only been possible with support from British Rowing, The West Midlands Rowing Council, Sport England, Awards for All, Youell Foundation, EFDS and NPower Active. The hard work was recognised recently at the EFDS & NPower Awards Evening, held at Aston Villa Football Club, where the WMDRA and two if its athletes were nominated for awards.
Scott Ballard-Ridley an LTA (leg, trunk and arms) sculler from Evesham was nominated in the male sports personality category. Scott suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2007 that left him with only ten percent of his sight and a number of mobility and neurological issues. Scott has gone from strength to strength in his rowing, first competing at Evesham's Golden Mile and then going on to compete at the British Indoor Rowing Championships in 2009. Scott won the 2010 Disabled Sports Personality Award at the Wychavon Awards, and went on to also win this category at the Hereford and Worcestershire County Awards.
Scott's coach, Mark Dewdney, says: "The outstanding thing for me is the lack of self pity. He has to a large extent got on with it. His disability is something he gets on with; he does not let it define him." Having Scott at Evesham has also inspired other rowers, particularly some of our juniors who have seen how much can be achieved by a person who has suffered a grave illness and come through it. Scott's spirit and determination has been a credit to him and, whether he realises it or not, made other people more determined to achieve their rowing goals.
Liz Stone, a TA (trunk and arms) rower, was also nominated for the female sports personality category. Liz had been a Paralympian in the equestrian discipline at Atlanta in 1996. After watching the GB Adaptive team do extremely well at Beijing she was inspired to try her hand at a different sport and is now a sculler at Stratford upon Avon Boat Club. Liz has entered into the British Indoor Rowing Championships two years running, winning gold and silver medals in her category and has raced at Stratford upon Avon's first adaptive events in 2009 which were sponsored by the EFDS and NPower.
Liz is a Paralympic ambassador for the Coventry and Warwickshire partnership and visits schools in the West Midlands to share her experiences. She says, "I really enjoy events like this, meeting the pupils and sharing my experiences of the Paralympics. If I can help to inspire somebody to get into sport or to become more involved in the 2012 Games then that will be great".
If you would like to find out more about adaptive rowing in this area email Maddie Millichap for more information.
