November 21, 2014 News British Rowing NewsBritish Rowing EventsRowing CommunityGB Rowing TeamIndoor RowingRowing & RegattaPartners#YourStoriesArchive First class volunteers Rowing Community Celebrating the unsung heroes of our sport, the annual Volunteer and Coach of the Year Awards took place at the historic setting of Watermen’s Hall, London on Saturday 15 November. Welcoming award winners to the special lunch, British Rowing Chairman Annamarie Phelps, said, “We are delighted that you are able to join us today, allowing us to say thank you for giving so much to our sport through your time, commitment and expertise.” Honouring 31 volunteers from 19 different rowing clubs around the country, the ceremony highlighted the wide range of roles vital to keeping rowing clubs alive. From regatta management and accounting skills through to press liaison, coaching juniors and fundraising – even emptying the bins and making cakes – the enormous contribution from many people was clear. Guest speaker Ben Hunt-Davis also received the Medal of Honour from Annamarie Phelps for his own volunteering work. A veteran of five Olympic Games, the 2000 Olympic champion in the men’s eights chaired the Organising Committee for the 2011 Junior Worlds and the 2013 World Cup at Eton Dorney. “I’m incredibly honoured to get the award and seeing the amount of work and volunteering that so many people in the sport do – I feel that I’m unworthy to get this but thank you so much.” After being an elite athlete, where everything was laid on for the team, Ben revealed that he only really grasped how the sport worked once he stopped rowing. “In 2005 I was asked to help out at the World Cup, in 2006 I helped on a team of volunteers and gradually I started to grasp what makes the sport tick. “The sport would be nowhere without the volunteers and I hope you’ve all got out of it as much as I have. I’ve been incredibly lucky and it’s down to people like you, so really from the bottom of my heart – thank you very much and congratulations for being nominated today.” As he introduced each award winner in turn, Gary Harris, Deputy Chairman of British Rowing, said, “In this room we have a wonderful representation of first class volunteers in our sport and it’s quite clear that you provide marvellous role models at your club. It’s our pleasure to recognise your contribution.” Volunteer Awards East Region Overall Regional Winner – Matthew Newton, Peterborough City RCAdministrative Category Award – Benn Klewpatinond, Milton Keynes RCOpen Category Award – Chris Moody, Broxbourne RC East Midlands Region Overall Winner – Paul Trinick, Nottingham & Union Rowing ClubEvent Category Winner – Anthony Lorrimer, Nottingham RC North West Region Overall Regional Winner – Sarah Armstrong, Grosvenor RCJoint Open Category Winner – Rachel Hooper, Northwich RCJoint Open Category Winner – Michal Palamarczuk Thames Region Overall Winner – Laura Lion, Maidenhead RCOverall Winner – Young Persons – Luke Dillon, The Metropolitan RegattaEvent Category Winner – Robert Simpson, Ardingly RCAdministrative Category Winner – Richard Packer, Wallingford RegattaRowing Safety Category Winner – Neil Pickford, Cygnet RC WAGS Region Overall Winner – Stuart Gordon, University of Bath Boat Club Wessex & South East Coast Region Overall Winners – Steve Bull, Tim Bull, Gary Joyce, Sue Sothcott, Peter StaddonAdministrative Category Winner – Andrew Parsons, Southampton Coalporters ARCOpen Category Winner – Peter Jacobs, Poole ARC West Region Overall Regional Winner – Joan Whittle, Paignton ARCCornish Pilot Gig Association Special Award – Anne Curnow-Care Yorkshire Region Overall Regional Winner – Bethany Picott, Leeds University Boat Club Coach of the Year Awards Special Award Lifetime Achievement Colin Davies – Grosvenor RC Club Performance Winner Jed Barlow – Northwich Rowing Club Club Performance Highly Commended Penny Senior – Avon County RC Club Development Winner Eleanor Burke – Exeter RC Education Performance Winner Robin Dowell, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School RC Coaching Team Senior Women/Elite Development Winners – Chris Hudson and Paul Turner, Grosvenor RC Photography by Simon Way