It is no secret that the club has seen an upturn in results in the last 18 months. Whilst not all of our rowers and coaches could be awarded for this achievement, the Isle of Wight Sports and Recreation Council awarded the achievements of three parties from the club at their awards for 2014, held at Medina Theatre.
The first award presented on the night was to Alex Robertson. The clubs reigning Hants and Dorset Junior Sculls and Pairs champion was presented with a third place prize in the intermediate mens event for his achievements in 2014. Alex was recognised by the council for his double Hants and Dorset titles, the different disciplines these titles were achieved in and his status as most successful rower on the Hants and Dorset circuit last year.
The clubs second award on the evening went to the Mens Junior Pair, who achieved a second place in the intermediate team event. Alex Robertson and Joe Evans-Murray won all but two of their twelve races in 2014 and this was recognised by the panel. The duo missed out to the national representative figure skating team, which perhaps shows the calibre of the nominations.
But the best achievement of the night without a doubt went Lesley Walters, who won coach of the year. Lesley has been coaching the Mens Junior squad for 18 months and in that time the squad has achieved; 24 Hants and Dorset race wins, 2 Hants and Dorset championships and a silver medal at the national indoor rowing championships. The impact has been immense and this is clearly noted by the council as she beat other worthy coaches to the top of the podium!
The evening was excellently ran by the Isle of Wight Sports and Recreation Council and we hope that the club will have the opportunity to attend in the future!