A change of role for Rowley
It is a very strange experience going to a Championship as a 'spectator' when you only ever have memories of competing at them; you feel as if there is something you should be doing or preparing to do.That said, I thought the World Champs was a very well organized and successful event. I remember Fred Scarlett and Steve Williams commenting, (in jest), to Jürgen Grobler in Cologne, at the 1998 World Championships, that the German hosts had not provided food for the athletes, only to be met with a barrage from Jürgen that we cannot even hold a World Rowing Championships! Well we can, and now have.
I would say that this is the result of 2 key factors: (1) You have to have good facilities and organization (2) You must have enthusiastic and committed volunteers. We had both in my opinion. You cannot hope to hold a great event with paid staff only, they have to be the people who have a love of that sport or just sport in general.
London 2012 is soon to be another year closer and I truly hope that all the venues and London itself will be populated with the enthusiasm that I witnessed as a Volunteer at the World Rowing Championships this year.
Rowley Douglas
Support from Parents
What was very interesting and amazed us at the Rowing World Championships at Eton in September was the outstanding service the volunteer force provided. It seemed to us that every time we required transport from one side of the course to the other, there was a mini-bus and who should be the driver 9 times out of 10 but our very own Julian Bewick. Literally a "door-to-car" service, and even when we were a party of 7 Williams' (including a small baby and all the trappings), there was JMB to expertly and happily fit us all into his "taxi". The service did not end there. During the semi-finals of the M4-, JMB was on hand to calm the nerves of an anxious Mum. Three cheers for Julian Bewick. Oh yes, the rowing was pretty good too!David and Mary Williams