Jamie Jameson retired at the end of the Summer Term, and the club has lost an inspiring and hard-working coach. DRJ usually looked after Junior Colts crews which thrived with his encouraging and enthusiastic guidance. He always saw the best in people, and remained positive in all circumstances. Although he was always very busy, running a house, marking until very late at night, taking part in many other school activities, he never appeared to be in a rush when at the river. He shared his crews' disappointments and was thrilled as they were when they had success.
The club also loses Peter Bossom at Christmas. He coached the novices for many years. PGB was always a bundle of energy at the River. He was usually the first to arrive after lunch, often manhandling launches onto the water by himself so that they were ready for other people when they eventually turned up. On a famous occasion in London at the Schools' Head, his eight was holed by an underwater snag near Barn Elms (or was it St Paul's?). He took the eight apart, and proceeded downstream on the towpath with the bow section on his back bringing it to the trailer at Putney. It's no wonder he has a bad back! But there was no doubt that his heart is in the right place.
Steve Miller coached J16 boys and 1st Girls. He was instrumental in building a solid technical base for what became a very successful 1st Girls' squad. He was a great motivator of the all the crews he coached.
Bill Hanna, who retired from coaching some years ago, was another leaver of 2008.
We wish all these coaches well and thank them for their years of service to the club and its members, whether these years were few or many.
Many congratulations to Gordon and Sarah Reay on the birth of a daughter, Evie, on 22nd October.