Christchurch Rowing Club reflect on a good year

ACHIEVEMENT awards were presented by Mayor of Christchurch Sue Spittle and Christchurch Sports Council chairman Colin Bungey at Christchurch Rowing Club on Friday.

Recipients Mathew Aldridge, Briget White, Mathew Bailey, Adam Rose, Duncan Yeabsley, Will Wakelin, Henry Newton, Becky Joakim, Jasmin Hunt, Lauren Fry, Leilah Nightingale, Faye Standley and Anna Nolan were presented with certificates and commemorative plates for their rowing successes in the past year.

At the club's earlier AGM chairman Peter Staddon reported that the year had been successful on and off the water but while there were good prospects for next year, he warned that there could be a paucity of funding and grants following the Olympics, exacerbated by the ongoing recession. The Rowing Club, however, is determined to capitalise on the wave of post-Olympic interest and are already expanding novice facilities.

On Saturday athletes competed at Hampton Junior Head where Mathew Aldridge achieved a creditable 15th place in a strong field of over 60 J16 scullers while another contingent raced at Wycliffe, Glos, and secured a first place in women's novice double sculls, second place in IM3 doubles and third place in ladies' IM3 singles.