(This article was written for Regatta Magazine)
The Four one-time members of Monkton Combe School Boat Club spent 4th December in the WAGS Region of the ARA. Henry Bailhache stroked the GB Coxed Four, finalists at the World Junior Championships in Zagreb; Alex Partridge rowed in the Gold Medal winning GB Coxed Four at the Nations Cup; Steve Williams became World Champion in the Coxed Four at Zagreb, and was spare man in the Olympic team; Rowley Douglas coxed the triumphant GB Eight at Sydney.
The last time Monkton Combe was associated with such a clutch of internationals was in 1948, when five Monktonians were members of the GB Olympic rowing squad.
The four internationals of 2000 had a hectic day, supported by Team West Coaching Development Officers, Simon Dickie and Adi Dolo, and Chairman of WAGS, Julian Bewick. It was still dark when Steve Williams arrived at Gloucester Rowing Club for a two-hour training session before the public engagements kicked off at 10 am, when a new Quad for use by juniors was named "Black Widow".
Then down the road to Severn Vale School, which is linked with Gloucester Rowing Club, where a class of year 7 children enjoyed the challenge of 100m ergo races against Steve, and a video of the GB VIII final described by Rowley.
Wycliffe was the next stop, where the party was entertained to lunch by members of the Sculling Club, which was presented with the Junior winners' salver from the Supersprint Grand Prix. Their team included three from Wycliffe and two from Gloucester.
Then on to Oldfield School, Bath, linked through Project Oarsome to Avon County Rowing Club. 160 Year 7 girls brought the roof down with cheers and screams during ergo races between teams from the school. Steve and Henry also did a demonstration race, and Rowley took on and beat Penny Senior of Avon County. The girls received Project Oarsome certificates and a winners' certificate from the Supersprints.
The party was joined at Oldfield by Jonathan Calderbank of Sport England, who have been such good sponsors of athletes from novice to international level.
Last stop was Monkton Combe, where members of their old Boat Club quizzed the athletes for an hour before a well-earned supper, which was also attended by the Chairman of Bath and North East Someset Council and the Mayor of Bath, as well as members of local clubs. Letters of congratulation and apologies for absence were received from the Minister for Sport, Kate Hoey and from the local MP, Don Foster.
During supper, there were presentations :
to WAGS
(Millennium Grant) for help with fees for coaching courses and for equipment for running events.to Minerva Bath
(Bath and North East Somerset grant) for a coaching launch, ergo and Tracer boat, which will help juniors, particularly from Beechen Cliff School, with which the club is linked.to Avon County
(Millennium Grant) for coaching courses and equipment for juniors.to Monkton Combe School Boat Club
(Bluefriars Trust) - a pair named RowleyAlexSteveHenry 2000 in honour of the four internationals, who were later each given a goblet, similarly inscribed.After supper, the athletes gave a talk to members of WAGS clubs, answering a continual flow of of questions. The video of the the GB VIII final at Sydney was analysed from the cox's seat by Rowley Douglas.
Messages of Support
From Kate Hoey - Minister for Sport
I am very sorry that I cannot be with you this evening to celebrate the Monkton Boat Club Millennium presentations and awards. Sporting success is something to celebrate, and it is particularly pleasing to see young people enjoying competition and developing their talent by striving to be the best.
I hope that all the young people here tonight will have the facilities, teaching and coaching they need to reach their full potential in years to come. That is something we are determined to put in place in schools and communities throughout the country so there can be more winners, more medals in international competition and more young people deriving pleasure and personal fulfilment from sport throughout their lives.
All recipients of tonight's awards deserve congratulations. Who
knows, there may be future Olympic Champions amongst you. Your
achievements are terrific and I wish you all every success in the
future.
Best wishes
Kate Hoey
Minister for Sport
From Don Foster MP
Bath and the surrounding area has, in recent years, produced a remarkable number of talented athletes. Monkton Combe can be justly proud of its contribution in such successes. I was delighted to hear that four of your rowing successes are returning to school on 4th December after a hectic tour in the region seeking to persuade others of the delights of the sport.
I need no convincing; I rowed myself at school, university and then - all too briefly - when I moved to Bristol 24 years ago. Sadly my diary no longer allows the time needed for regular training (but you might just tempt me back for a veterans event one day!).
Please pass on my congratulations to Rowley, Steve, Alex and Henry as I will, sadly, not be able to join you on the 4th. I hope it is a very successful day.
Very best wishes Don Foster MP
From the Mayor of Bath
I am afraid that my experiences of rowing are limited to short trips in a dinghy and I have always envied those who rushed past me in their sleek pencil-thin boats. The dedication and skill with which all rowers guide their boats has always amazed me, as has the seeming ease with which they propel them at such speed.
I found the rowing events at the Olympics fascinating and was
delighted that we did so well as a country. To have such talent as
Rowley Douglas, Steve Williams, Alex Partridge and Henry Bailhache
representing the country, having all started their rowing careers in one
school, is a considerable achievement. On browsing through last year's
Newsletter I notice that this tradition is obviously longstanding. May
I therefore offer my congratulations to these individuals and to
Monkton. Long may your successes continue!
Councillor Ms Angela Godfrey - Mayor of Bath
From the Chairman of Bath & NE Somerset Council
I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoyed my
involvement in the evening of Celebration of International Rowing on
Monay 4th December. It was a pleasure to reward such high levels of
achievement and a most informative evening for myself.
Councillor Bryan Organ
Chairman Bath & North East Somerset Council