“I was very much taken by surprise”: York City RC’s Phil Jones on British Empire Medal award

Fergus Mainland caught up with the York City RC stalwart who has been awarded the honour for his services to rowing and young people in York

Celebration and reflection. Two words that encapsulate a warm glow that embraces the country during the festive period; celebrating the success of the past 12 months and reflecting on the triumphs and the moments that have made us.

For a select group of individuals, the past month has been a restless wait, full of anticipation for the day the world can also celebrate their achievements and service.

A letter swearing its recipient to a strict embargo means that for the month of December, the York City RC community have been blissfully unaware that they will be celebrating their stoic grandee, Phil Jones, as the bells herald in the new year.

It’s a testament to the impression that Phil has left on his athletes that this isn’t the first time his coaching and volunteering have been recognised. In 2022, Phil won British Rowing’s Lifetime Achievement Award for over three decades of outstanding contributions to York City RC.

“It was a great surprise, almost shock really,” explained Phil when reminiscing about opening up his letter.

“I don’t suppose many people get the British Empire Medal each year, and there are hundreds of other people in rowing and other volunteers who are at least, if not more worthy than I am. I was very much taken by surprise.”

“I feel very honoured. But I’m very mindful of the fact that none of what I achieved would have been possible had it not been for the support from my family, particularly my wife, who had to put up with all the rowing things that I was doing for more than 30 years!”

Phil is rowing, and rowing is Phil. After discovering the sport while attending the University of Hull, Phil hasn’t looked back. His family are also immersed in the sport; Phil has been a proud parent watching his son, Thom, race at junior GB Rowing Team trials and his daughter represent her country at the 2002 Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Phil’s award has been for his commitment to the juniors of York City RC. It’s for his dedication to their development as athletes, but also their growth as individuals.

In the picture above, Phil is photographed with Lucy Edmunds, Charlie McMahon, and Sally Downing. They are just a selection of some of the great athletes that Phil has had the pleasure of working alongside.

Charlie raced for England in 2016, while Sally would row under the watchful eyes of Cristo Redentor at the 2015 Junior World Championships.

Lucy would row at both the World Rowing U19 and U23 Championships, winning a silver medal at the latter before graduating from Yale and racing for Oxford University BC in the 2024 Boat Race.

“It’s a picture that I’m proud of because it shows three internationals in the same year.” said Phil with a laugh. “These three people were really nice people. To have a photo taken with them was special. They were all very appreciative, the families were very grateful, and very supportive.

“That always compensates for the miserable mornings when it’s foggy or wet, and you’re getting up early – those are the high spots that make it all worthwhile.”

In the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, Coca-Cola gave the public the opportunity to nominate local heroes to participate in the Torch Relay. Phil was one of 8000 runners who lit up the UK with the Olympic flame, bringing communities together in a way that only that magical summer could.

Having been nominated by one of his junior athletes, Phil’s leg of the relay took him along the top of York’s historic walls, finishing within a stone’s throw of the boathouse that has given him a lifetime of memories.

“The only downside of it was they had a camera following the torch bearers the whole of the way. However, because I was running on the city walls, which are only four feet wide, there was no opportunity to record it on film! I’m not bothered, though, as I have loads of pictures from that day.”

From being a Torch Bearer in 2012, to being York’s Sporting Hero, to his Lifetime Achievement Award, to his BEM, it’s clear Phil’s hard work and compassion spans generations.

Until he recently stepped down, Phil led the York City RC junior coaching team. The club offered sessions seven days a week, sometimes two sessions a day, to ensure the 80-odd juniors that were on their books could enjoy the sport they loved.

Over the years, Phil has helped York City RC to medals at the British Rowing Championships, the National Schools’ Regatta (NSR), and qualified crews for Henley Royal Regatta. 2008 was a particularly fine vintage, qualifying two boats for the Fawley Challenge Cup before having two crews in the final of Championship Quads at NSR the following summer.

With 30 years as club Secretary and 30 years as the organiser of the Small Boats Head under his belt, it’s time for a change for Phil, who hangs up his coaching waterproofs after helping hundreds, if not thousands, of juniors discover the wonderful sport of rowing.

First up, it’s sourcing his finery for a Royal Garden Party welcoming BEM recipients to celebrate with each other. After that, free weekends can be spent making memories with his wife, Anne and his grandchildren.

Congratulations, Phil, from everyone at British Rowing. Enjoy your time visiting grandchildren in Oxford and Scotland!