Trentham 9 bring home Silver

Nine young people from North Staffordshire took on the best rowers from Wales, Scotland and Ireland during the weekend of 24/25 July and returned home with silver from the Home Inter-regional Regatta at Inniscarra Lake, Cork, Ireland.

 

Racing in a borrowed boat the team was the only one drawn from one club to be representing their country in the championship. Being up to 5 years younger than their fellow competitors the 8 girl rowers and 1 boy, the Cox, put in an amazing effort to bring home silver closely behind the European Champions, Ireland.

 

The team had won the chance to represent England by winning their race at the recent National Championships Strathclyde Scotland. In this race they had beaten the teams from Wales and Scotland who they would later race against in Ireland.

 

‘Following the victory in Scotland the team was elated by the chance of representing England however it came with a hefty price tag. We were so proud that our kids had got this opportunity but when we were told that it would cost £450 each to send them and we that we had less than a week to find it, it was very scary’ said Margaret Thomas, Eleanor’s mum.

 

Steve Dell, Father of Becky said ‘we wanted to give our young people the chance to take part; we all pulled together and tried to get the money. We know the people of this area are so generous but we’ve been amazed by what has happened. We are so grateful to everyone who helped our team by donated so that they could take part.’

 

Leaving Trentham at 4.00am on Friday the team began their journey to a medal. Following a session on the lake the team was given its England strip during a team meeting. Eleanor Thomas said ‘I was so excited when we got there, I did not know what to expect but when I saw us all in our England kit with the three lions on it I was so proud and thought we looked amazing.’

 

 

The race took place on Saturday 24 July at 3.20 pm; holding on to second place throughout the race the team beat their own gold medal-winning time of the previous weekend. The teams silver medal helped England in the Junior Women’s championship taking them from last to second place in the category.

 

 

Steve said ‘the team arrived back on a complete high and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They spent the 3 days there working and training with other Junior Rowers representing England. What we did not know was that they were the youngest crew there and amazed the GB Coaches with there approach and attitude throughout the whole trip.’

 

Darren Barton, Coach to the England Women’s Junior 8 and head coach Trentham Boat Club said: ‘The team did wonderfully well, but this is not just a success for them: they would not have been able to take part without the hard work of the parents and the generosity of North Staffs companies and individuals. I am so proud of the kids and grateful to those who’ve helped us.’ 

 

Jayne Fair, Fundraiser for the Junior Section of the Trentham Boat Club said: ‘last week when the girls were told they had this opportunity each parent was faced with finding £450. Through the hard work of Steve Dell, Dave Butler and others we were able to raise the majority of the funds necessary. We would also like to thank; Waterford Wedgwood; the Trentham Estate; Michelin and Philips Healthcare and for their ongoing support, Newcastle based publishing company PSCA International Ltd. We are also very grateful to St Josephs College and St Peters C of E High School and International Language College who have, in this time of cutbacks and financial problems, supported the team and their pupils in every way possible. Without this support and help the team would not have been able to compete and return with the Silver they have won.’

 

Jayne Fair
E: jayne998@btinternet.com