PERSISTENCE
The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavourable sense, doggedness; obstinacy. Persistent determination: The act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeated behaviour.
Persistence or 'the never give up attitude' as I call it. There were times over the past four years that I felt I was fighting a losing battle, banging my head against the wall and swimming upstream against a strong flow, but never once did I think I would fail in my quest to make MCSBC a success. When I took over four years ago I made a promise to myself, the coaches, the athletes, the school and to Bluefriars that I would do my utmost to make MCSBC the best it could be and that it could be a serious and competitive boat club.
It has taken many years of sweat and tears to realise that promise and last season proved that persistence from everyone involved in the club has proved that we are as good as we can be. That's not to say that we won't continue to push even further to achieve even more this season.
23 wins overall in the club from J14 level to senior crews both girls and boys. A semi-final spot at National Schools for the First crew, before the wind blew a little too much for us to prove what we really could do; and who could forget a brilliant qualifying effort from an VIII put together two weeks before Henley. The first time in 9 years that Monkton had qualified for Henley. Our J15 girls raising over £2000 for Breast Cancer Research and Wateraid; and I think 2 OMs won medals at the Olympics!!! What a season??
Persistence and a dogged determination to succeed have led us to a hugely successful season on and off the water. I am quite confident that with this persistent attitude in the club now we can only go from strength to strength.