Captain's review of the season - 1998/9

At the end of last year I talked of the importance of the novice squad for the future of the club and this year has shown why! Both the men and ladies from the novice squads have made an excellent transition into the senior ranks and learned from the ‘old hands’ what the senior circuit is all about. Having maintained top 100 placings at Tideway and then gone on to represent the club at Mens and Ladies Henley, they have become one year wiser and now realise the benefits of focused training. Praise must also be given to the older seniors who have shown patience in this process.

Singing our praises further we have again achieved 70 wins as a club across the spectrum, from the new junior squad run by Dave Pendall, through the seniors at all levels to the veterans who, with some new help from Star and St. Neots, have won at Veterans Henley, the Vets Nationals and recently the Worlds Vets.

The close of this season has caused me to reflect on the two-year roller coaster of emotion I have ridden as Captain. The biggest pleasure I have taken is watching the improvement of athletes and I hope allowing all sections of the Club to do what they enjoy!!

My parting thanks go to all the coaches who have helped me, including Julie Bavington, Sarah Reay, Dave Powell, Dave Pendall and Rocky Bright. Thanks also to John Smith and the committee for their continuing support and to Steve Breed as both coach and as boatman who I could not have survived without. Its also farewell to Blaine and Caroline who are moving to Marlow to follow their dream, I wish them all the best for the future.

Finally a message to all the athletes to please ‘stick at it’. You have begun a large curve of improvement and I believe that the jump to winning the bigger events is not so far away. Persistence is the key. Good luck to Dick as Captain and to all the club in the future.