Stockton on Tees Club and Coach Awards 2008
Tees Rowing Club was voted 2008 Club of the Year at the recent Stockton on Tees Sports Development Club and Coach Awards.
Based at the River Tees Watersports Centre with over 200 members, the club has the reputation of being an open and friendly family-orientated club. It is inclusive and has high performance athletes amongst its junior, senior, veteran and adaptive athletes.
The club has achieved ‘Clubmark’ status and has been approved as a Community Amateur Sports Club, offering local schools, groups and organisations the opportunity to participate in recreational and corporate rowing experiences. Tees RC works with its governing body, the ARA, to promote rowing and is actively recruiting for junior, off peak and recreational members, as well as being a High Performance centre for the ARA World Class Start and Potential Schemes.
Project Oarsome links have been established with Egglescliffe School, the schools of Blakeston, Thornaby Community and Ian Ramsey. The club has developed an enviable reputation for the professional organisation of its events which present a great opportunity to showboat the River Tees Watersports Centre and the club’s expertise and facilities.
The Tees Regatta, Long Rowing Distance Sculling Head of the River, Small Boats Head of River and the Adaptive and Primary Regatta all generate strong spectator interest and highlight the enormous amount of talent there is within the club.
The award for working with disabled performers was won by Dick Wilkinson, a valued member of the Adaptive Rowing Group which is committed to developing ideas and realising goals towards providing a fully inclusive club. He has a relaxed and enabling style of coaching which, with his positive and encouraging skills, helps athletes with disabilities to develop their full potential and get on the water. Dick has supported adaptive rowers at all levels, from novice juniors competing at their first regatta to National Championship silver medalistsl. He achieves all this in a quiet and unassuming manner, removing barriers to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to try rowing.
The Young Volunteer of the Year Award was won by Rebecca Vaslet. Rebecca, who is just 15 years old, has been a member of Tees Rowing Club for five years and is a valued member of the junior squad. She trains and rows competitively herself while finding the time to cox junior crews, assist coaches with the coaching of beginners and helps to induct new members to the club.
She is a volunteer with Carlton Kids Club where her contribution ensures that a fun time is had by all. Rebecca’s duties usually start at 7.30 am on weekend mornings, whatever the weather, and she never fails to be cheerful. Rebecca has acquired a fund of knowledge beyond her years and this is reflected in the confidence that crews have in her. In addition to all this she is member of the organising committee of the Tees Regatta where her role includes the collection of entry fees and catering for the competitors.
