Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: The often unseen heroes of rowing competitions

Our second volunteers’ week spotlight focuses on some of the roles carried out by a huge army of volunteers that support our competitors

Volunteers are the backbone of sport, particularly when it comes to competitions. As part of volunteers’ week, our Events Manager, James Lee, spoke to volunteers across some of the various roles at our competitions to find out why it is that they give so much time to the sport.

Based in Aberdeen, Carol Wallace is a familiar voice at regattas across the UK including Henley Women’s Regatta, National Schools’ and the British Rowing Championships. She is also a Scottish Rowing Umpire, among many other roles!

Charlie Moorby is a member of Burton Leander Rowing Club and, earlier this year, became the  youngest licensed umpire in the country. She was a winner of  a Young Volunteer Award in last year’s British Rowing Awards.

Among many other voluntary roles, including over 20 years as a volunteer coach at Tyne Amateur Rowing Club, John Mulholland is a launch driver at many of the national events taking place at Holme Pierrepont.

Can you tell us a little bit about the volunteering you do currently? 

Carol: “I currently volunteer as an umpire (and I’m sure that most people don’t realise that umpires are volunteers) and as a commentator. I tend to do most of my umpiring in Scotland and most of my commentating in England and I don’t really know why the geographical divide exists. I possibly think that subconsciously I’m trying to restore a regional accent balance, it’s always fun being the token Scot and often the furthest travelled.”

Charlie: “I recently qualified as a British Rowing umpire allowing me to volunteer at events such as British Masters, BUCS and many local events.”

John: “I’m a multi-lane umpire and RYA Level 2 launch driver.  I’ve enjoyed umpiring, which is an essential part of running competitions, but I now prefer driving umpire launches as it is easier on my 70-year-old back! I drive umpire launches at several events locally and nationally.  I am a qualified multi-lane umpire, which helps when driving umpires, as I have a good idea of where the umpire should be.  It also helps that I can look out for incidents that the umpire may not have seen.  The umpire is the boss, but it is useful to have a second pair of eyes in the launch.”

John driving a launch at a British Rowing Championships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What was it that encouraged you to start volunteering in rowing, and when was that?

Carol:  “I started rowing at university, had a big gap when my kids were tiny but came back when they were older.  Of course they started rowing and then when you support them at regattas, there’s a lot of time sitting on river banks doing nothing.That can be a bit boring even for an enthusiastic parent, though I do love watching rowing, be it multilane, river, canals or lochs – I love it.

“I was asked to try some commentary at Strathclyde Park in the early 2000s and after the initial terror I discovered that I loved it.

“I then sat my umpires exam in 2003/4 and then followed it up with the multi-lane endorsement three years later.”

Charlie: “Rowing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. At around 11, I began rowing myself, and that same year, my mum qualified as a British Rowing umpire, sparking my interest in the behind the scenes of rowing. In 2022, I took my first step into volunteering by joining the team at BUCS Regatta. My roles included stake boating, timing, and being a runner. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and atmosphere that came with these events but they also offered me a deeper appreciation for the efforts of the volunteers and umpires involved. Motivated by this experience, I decided in 2024 that I wanted to qualify as a British rowing Umpire. Despite being only 17 I began the training process. Then, in February 2025, I successfully passed the National Umpires exam.”

John: “As a schoolboy, I found in rowing a sport I could do reasonably well and enjoyed.  After University, I didn’t row until my son took up the sport in 1997.  I restarted rowing in the local club next to his school.  In 2000, I joined Tyne ARC to row in their eight but also started to spend increasing time on coaching.  I remembered the teachers and coaches who had helped me learn to row up to Junior International level and wanted to help the next generation to enjoy the sport I love.”

Carol Commentating at Henley Women’s Regatta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you enjoy about your volunteering?

Carol: “I think that I love meeting people. I love seeing the juniors and students start their rowing careers and watch them progress. As an older person, I know more about masters rowing, the different age categories and the vagaries of the handicap system and hopefully can explain it to the general public and the more youthful rowers. Everyone in the rowing community is friendly and helpful. I know that because of meeting so many people from different clubs I’ve built up a network of contacts which has helped my own club when at away regattas, whether it’s been for spare equipment, tools or even insider local knowledge.

On a sunny day, where else would you rather be than on a rowing course somewhere being involved in a regatta?”

Charlie: “Volunteering has been a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, share experiences and creating connections all over the world. It’s also a great way to give back to the sport, making competitions fun, enjoyable and fair for all involved. I love the teamwork and bonds created through events whether that be with other officials, volunteers or even competitors.”

John: “I like seeing people enjoying the sport I love, and I enjoy helping them to achieve their potential.”

What would you say to others thinking about getting involved in volunteering in rowing?

Carol: “Do it! Honestly you will have no regrets. New friends and a welcoming atmosphere = what’s the

hold back?”

Charlie receiving her Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

Charlie: “100% go for it! No one has ever regretted

helping out. Volunteering is such a rewarding job, not only are you ensuring competitions can run effectively but you can also improve your own skill sets and meet new people, all whilst doing something for the rowing community. So, if you’re considering getting involved, do it! The experiences and friendships you’ll gain are invaluable!”

John: “If you are thinking about volunteering, just do it!  More experienced volunteers will teach you anything you need to know.  You may start in a minor role at your club, but with training and experience, you can go on to be a volunteer at international events.”

Any final thoughts? 

Carol: “I love volunteering. I really enjoy the community spirit. I started volunteering for rowing, but I now volunteer at a couple of local charities supporting causes I feel strongly about, so it can open up lots of new opportunities for meeting new people and making new friends.”

Charlie: “No matter who you are, there is a space for you to be involved. It would be great to see more of the younger generation coming up as umpires and volunteers at events.”

John: “Without volunteers, our sport cannot continue, so your help is vital.  Ghandi said: “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it”.  You may think that you can’t help enough to make a difference, but with your friends and colleagues, you can.”

“Without volunteers, our sport cannot continue, so your help is vital.”