Congratulations to our 2025 British Rowing Awards winners!

March 30, 2026

The 2025 British Rowing Awards were presented at a ceremony following the Head of the River Race on Saturday, 28 March

The British Rowing Awards celebrate people, clubs and crews from across the rowing community who deserve recognition for the incredible work they put into our sport.

Reflecting on the achievements of all those who received awards, CEO of British Rowing Tom Solesbury said: “What has become clear during my ongoing road trip around the regions, is how lucky we are to have some incredible people contributing huge amounts of time to make our sport what it is. The British Rowing Awards is an opportunity to recognise just a few of those amazing people and I’m glad that our latest winners were able to come together and celebrate their achievements. Thank you all of you for everything that you do!”

Winners of the 2026 Awards were announced online in December 2025, along with recipients of British Rowing’s highest honours – the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Medals of Merit and the Medal of Honour.

The awards were presented in person this past weekend by GB Rowing Team rowers Olympic Champion Lauren Henry, Paralympic Champion Frankie Allen, Olympic Bronze Medallist Freddie Davidson and double World Champion David Bewicke-Copley. Lifetime Achievement Awards, and Medals of Merit and Honour were presented by British Rowing Deputy Chair Clare Briegal, who acted as MC for the ceremony.

Sue Morant, Club Captain of British Rowing Affiliated Club of the Year Lymington RC, collected her club’s award alongside other committee members and Lymington junior rowers. “Being at the British Rowing Awards was an incredibly proud moment for our entire club. To be recognised among so many outstanding clubs across the country was an honour in itself, but to be named Club of the Year is truly special. This award reflects the dedication of our athletes, coaches, volunteers and families, all of whom contribute to the positive, supportive community we’re so proud of. Our members were absolutely delighted; there’s been a real buzz around the club, and a strong sense that this is something we’ve all achieved together.”

In a personal moment, former GB Rowing Team Rower Adam Freeman-Pask presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chris Morrell MBE, a stalwart of Windsor Boys’ School Boat Club, where Adam Freeman-Park spent his formative years as a young rower. “This man is an absolute legend”, Adam said, before reflecting on some of Chris’s outstanding achievements over the last 50 years.

Diana Hunter, Chair of British Rowing, said; “Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2025 British Rowing Awards! It was wonderful to be able to bring together so many of the winners to celebrate the fantastic people, crews and clubs on the day that the Head of the River Race was celebrating its 100th anniversary. An historic race that has been supported by so many volunteers over the 100 years highlights the significant contributions that are made across the sport.”

Presentations

Coaching Team of the Year: Swindon Rowing Club

(Left to Right) Steve Jones, Volunteer of the Year for Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucestershire and Somerset, Community Coach of the Year: Indiajane Cox and winner of the National Safety Award Clive Pendry

Environmental Sustainability Award: Fulham Reach Boat Club, with Olympic Champion Lauren Henry and Paralympic Champion Frankie Allen

Talent Development Coach of the Year: Heather McDermott, with double World Champion David Bewick-Copley, Paralympic Champion Frankie Allen, Olympic Champion Lauren Henry and Olympic Bronze Medallist Freddie Davidson

Inclusive Coach of the Year: Nick Steel

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Chris Morrell MBE, with Adam Freeman-Pask

Affiliated Club of the Year: Lymington Amateur Rowing Club

Isabel Smales, Volunteer of the Year for Northern Region

Junior/School Crew of the Year: Elena Taylor, Derby Rowing Club

Josh Rhodes Hook, Volunteer of the Year for East Midlands Region

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mike Pugh

Medal of Merit recipient Michael Laing, presented by British Rowing Deputy Chair Claire Briegal

Medal of Merit recipient Alan Sherman

Club Crew of the Year: London Rowing Club’s Thames Challenge Cup Eight

Adam Tester, Young Volunteer of the Year for Wessex (Hants and Dorset) Region

Esme Walters, Young Volunteer of the Year for Wessex (Hants & Dorset) Region

Tom Hill, Young Volunteer of the Year for West Midlands Region

Florian Maurer, Volunteer of the Year for the Eastern Region

Oliver Heywood, Young Volunteer of the Year for Yorkshire Region

Stephen and Andrea Worley, Volunteers of the Year for Western Region with Steve Jones, Volunteer of the Year for Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucestershire and Somerset