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News stays here for about a month before archiving:

February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002 September 2002
August 2002
July 2002
June 2002

31 March

'Retired' Haining tastes victory again: SARA's guest of honour and speaker at this coming Friday night's Scottish Rowing Awards Dinner, Peter Haining, was in the prizes again this weekend - despite having 'retired from competition' in February. Having finished 37th with his Upper Thames crew on Saturday, he was spotted drinking from a winners trophy on Sunday when his Vet D crew won their division and came 4th overall in the Vesta Veterans' Head. Peter is not quite(!) Vet D yet, but the two 67-year olds in the crew helped the average . . .

Meanwhile a 'pub crew' formed over a beer in Prague at the Masters came 45th and first in the mixed event: Ailie Ord of Clydesdale had teamed up with 4 Croatians, 1 Swiss and a couple of Anglos. I gather the weather was perfect for the Vesta Veterans Head, with a fair number of Scottish entries,

Fastest Scottish club entry was Edinburgh University (Men Vet A, 26th). Full results here.

Last chance to get tickets for the Scottish Rowing Awards: we have to finalise numbers with the venue tomorrow, so today really does have to be the last chance to book your seat by dropping me a line. It's going to be a night not to be missed.

29 March

Tideway results: no Scottish pennant winners this year that I can see. Fastest finishers were Aberdeen University, 3rd in S2 at 36 (must be their highest finish by far unless someone else knows different?) in 18:22.36, followed by Glasgow University, also in S2, 77th in 18:48.44. Full results (provisional?) here.

28 March

Tideway: good luck to all the Scots heading for the 'big smoke' this weekend. First Scottish crew off is Deeside Scullers, a new entry in open at 49. Of the re-entries, Glasgow University go off at 79, hotly pursued by Aberdeen University at 85. Full start order

"Ton up" for Scottish Rowing Awards Dinner: 100 tickets have now been sold for the Scottish Rowing Awards Dinner and Dance (next Friday, 4th April), ensuring the event will be a lively success. There is still time to get a ticket if you're quick, so get your glad rags on a get out there to celebrate the successes of our sport. E-mail Terry McNeill to book your place.

27 March

SARA Half Yearly sees new club join up: Sunday's General Meeting of clubs at the National Rowing Academy elected the North British Rowing Club (Edinburgh) to membership of the Association (details now on the contacts page). I hope to have a fuller report in the next couple of days.

Junior trial 'productive': Sunday also saw the juniors trialling for this year's Home International team. Results aren't being published, but word is that it was productive and 'intersting'. Thanks to those who assisted in the organisation.

25 March

Strathclyde Park Regatta - let's make it a great one! The major Scottish regattas have been growing strongly in recent years; this year, the regatta organisers are marketing hard to attract a hefty entry from outside Scotland for you to race against, in addition to your familiar Scottish rivals. Several information documents for you to download (fear not - mostly one page each): letter of invitation, formal regatta notice and info, list of events offered, entry form (Saturday), club summary (Saturday), entry form (Sunday) and club summary (Sunday). A hint: the entry forms are in Word, so if you save a copy you can complete them on screen and print off nice legible copies to post!

2-/2x for sale: just in time for your main regatta entries? Check the Sales and Wants page.

24 March

Glasgow Small Boats Head: a very still and trouble free day - no disqualifications or latecomers at the start. A wide spread of winners (English, Scottish and Irish clubs) but George Watson's and Glasgow RC topped the overall winners list. Results here from Division 1 and Division 2.

Strathclyde Uni offer 'buy 2 races, get 1 free!': a novel incentive to enter the new Strathclyde University Easter Regatta on the Clyde on 12th April. Full details and entry forms here.

Strathclyde Park Regatta: information and entry forms for this first big multi-lane regatta of the year (26-27 April) are in the post to clubs tonight and will be on the web site here tomorrow. Information on the Scottish Universities Championships is being distributed direct to universities.

21 March

Shannon to row in Goldie: the Rowing Service have the crew lists for Isis and Goldie today: I see Goldie includes Andrew Shannon, formerly of the Robert Gordon University and (appropriately as we move towards this year's Scottish Rowing Awards event) last year's Scottish Oarsman of the Year.

Nutrition for Coaches": South Lanarkshire Leisure in Hamilton are running this seminar from 1300-1630 on Sunday April 6th. Callum Macdonald has full information for anyone interested in attending.

Roundabout Route to the Park: with the half yearly general meeting and a junior trial both on at Strathclyde Park this weekend, a timely reminder that the road junction at the Motherwell end of the Park is closed to traffic over the weekend. The only vehicle access is via the Raith Interchange at the north end of the Park, and then the 'long way round' past M&D's fun fair etc.

20 March

Ghent Regatta (10 May): Jim Ferguson of George Watson's has heard of quite a few seniors contemplating entering and offers to try to co-ordinate boat transport on one trailer. Jim would be pleased to hear from any crew/club who would be interested in being part of such an arrangement.

Bid for a boat? Callum Macdonald reminds SARA clubs that the association owns 6 'training pair/double' shells which are available on free loan to clubs where a suitable case is put forward. Any club which would like to borrow one of these craft should contact Callum in the first instance.

19 March

Timetable for Scotland Junior Trial this Sunday, 23rd March: the trial will consist of 2 x 2000m processional races at Strathclyde Park, managed as follows (information from team manager, Tom Baker)

18 March

Oops! My apologies to the ladies of Edinburgh University BC, who I failed to credit as fastest Scottish S3 crew in Saturday's Women's Head. As one correspondent put it, with EUBC beating GUBC by 1 place (and less than 1 second) there could be one very close race in prospect at the Edinburgh/Glasgow University Boat Race series.

and on the subject of the Women's Head, the first of the pictures appear to have come up on Jet, Natures Images and BigBlade

Start order for Glasgow Small Boats Head: a very healthy entry for this Saturday's racing - esp for division 2 - and good to see crews from 4 clubs outside Scotland. Start order for Division 1 and Division 2

17 March (Happy St Patrick's Day!)

Sorry if you've been missing your daily fix of rowing news . . . I've been away at the Women's Head and was stunned to find I couldn't get a connection in my hotel room. So, to catch up (starting last Thursday) . . .

Heriots triumph in Schools Head on Thames: Following on their victory in the Scottish Schools ' Head, the George Heriot's girls' J16 4+ went on to win W J16 4+ in the British Schools Head by a convincing distance. Their time (22:47) would have placed them 2= in J18. The crew were (from bow): Emma Guy, Karina Williams, Stephanie McDowall, Gemma Lumsden, cox David Garden. Although this was the only Scottish 'win', good to see a healthy crop of Scottish entries. Full results.

Ord wins Senior Female in Hamilton Sports Council Awards: Ailie Ord of Clydesdale ARC and Scotland won the Senior Female Award for 2002. This was a terrific achievement for Ailie, and also for the sport of rowing in Scotland. This follows another recent award, when Strathclyde Country Park won 'Facility of the Year' in the North Lanarkshire Council Community Services Gold Star Awards. The citation noted that the Park attracted 5 million visitors last year - the highlight of the year being the opening of the National Rowing Academy. The SARA was represented at both events.

Johnstone High make their mark: further to my note about growing numbers of schools appearing in the Scottish Schools Head, although numerous juniors from Johnstone High School have competed as Castle Semple, I hear the school now has it's own rowing colours - spotted in competition for the first time at the Scottish Schools Head last weekend.

Dundee Uni seek two coxed fours: having made space in the boathouse through disposal of an old eight, DUBC have details of two 4+ craft they are in the market to buy on the 'wanted' page.

4-club composite leads Scottish entry at Women's Tideway: the Clydesdale/ Watson's/ Glasgow RC/ Glasgow Uni composite (S2) finished 28th in 21:43.44, with the fastest 1-club entry being from Aberdeen University (S2, 36th in 22:02.55). Fastest Scots in S3 were Glasgow University Ladies (22:15.5), and fastest Scottish novices - in their university's first ever entry at the Head - were Robert Gordon University (186th in 24:33.31). The stiff headwind against the stream at the start, Hammersmith and the finish produced rough water which made it a tough race for everyone involved. Full results

11 March

And the nominees in the Scottish Rowing Awards are . . . : these short-lists are in alphabetical order of surname for individuals and, for crews, in alphabetical order of club name. So don't go rushing to any conclusions!

Scottish Junior Oarswoman of the Year: Jill Beck (Aberdeen Schools RA), Lucy Buglass (Aberdeen Schools RA), Laura West (Nithsdale ARC)

Scottish Junior Oarsman of the Year: Chris Logan (George Watson's College), Colin Wallace (Aberdeen Schools RA), Supot Yampo (Nithsdale ARC)

Scottish Oarswoman of the Year: Ali Barnes (Vesta RC and Clydesdale ARC), Leonie Barron (Thames RC), Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC)

Scottish Oarsman of the Year: Drew Hendry (Aberdeen BC), Gavin Shaw (Aberdeen University BC), Henry Westwood (Glasgow RC)

Scottish Rowing Crew of the Year: Aberdeen BC Men's 4- (Angus Argyle, Drew Hendry, Tom Morgan, John Langley), Aberdeen Schools RA Junior Men's 4+ (Michael Anderson, Ross Cruickshank, Jamie Steel, Robert Vallance, Colin Wallace), Thames RC Women's Lightweight 2- (Leonie Barron, Joanne Ganley).

Scottish Rowing Volunteer of the Year: Stewart Bates (Royal West BC), John Dennis (Castle Semple RC), Terry McNeill (Aberdeen BC)

Scottish Rowing Coach of the Year: Alan Hodgins (Glasgow RC), Alison Paterson (Aberdeen BC), Bryan Steel (Aberdeen Schools RA)

The SARA Executive will decide the winners at their next meeting - no announcements will be made until the Scottish Rowing Awards Dinner and Dance on 4th April. The link is to the poster with full ticket sales information - they're already selling well, I gather.

10 March

GB Junior Spring Assessment: only two Scots - Kirsty Myles and Chris Logan, both of George Watson's College - have been invited to the next stage in GB junior team selection, the spring assessment at Nottingham on 30th March.

Awards Short List: Letters have been sent to all the short listed nominees in the Scottish Rowing Awards, and I hope to publish the list in full here tomorrow. Tickets for the event are selling well: do check the event poster for the Awards Dinner and Dance on 4th April and contact Catriona Norris to make your booking. Should be an excellent evening.

Posh night for Durham Uni alumni: Durham University Boat Club and Women's Boat Club are having a 125th Anniversary celebration in style on 29th March (the night of Men's Tideway) at the Dorchester in London. All former members of both clubs are welcome and should contact b.t.dowding@durham.ac.uk with their postal address for an invitation/ticket

8 March

Men's Tideway start order: sadly, Aberdeen BC don't seem to have a crew to inherit their 8th position from last year - but what's this?! Deeside Scullers, highest Scottish start number with a new entry at 49?

Glasgow Uni win Thornton Trophy: a late surge of good results in the Clydesdale Head allowed Glasgow University to push through Aberdeen to take the Thornton Trophy for the Universities Winter League. Strathclyde University improved their points position well at Clydesdale, but still finish third.

National Rowing Academy athletes head for GB Final Trials: Gavin Shaw, Jonny Logan, Henry Westwood and Douglas Murray have all been invited to compete at GB Final Trials in Hazewinkel, 16-18 April.

7 March

Scottish Universities Rowing Development Day: all university clubs should have received a letter about this event at the National Rowing Academy on Sunday 13 April from SARA Development Officer, Callum MacDonald. Targeted at 'next year's club office-bearers', the morning session will deal with safety, coaching, competition and organisation issues with the option to attend a Basic Instructor's Course (BIC) in the afternoon. Contact Callum by 31 March (latest) to book your club's places.

5 March

Stirling RC memorial to their late president, Jimmy Oliphant: Stirling Rowing Club are having a commemoration Tree Planting at the Riverside, Stirling next Saturday, 15th March, commencing 11.30 for 12.00 noon. Light refreshments will be available in the Clubhouse and the Club hope that some of Jimmy's rowing colleagues will wish to attend. In order to roughly establish numbers, please reply to Hugh McGoldrick on e-mail or at the Clubhouse, Dean Crescent, Stirling.

Dundee Uni elect new committee. At their AGM last night Dundee University BC elected the following new officers: President: Dave Shea, Mens Captain: Luke Plunkett, Womens Captain: Joanna Brockman, Secretary: Wendy Conway (e-mail address later) (Contacts page updated).

5 March

Extra event at Glasgow Small Boats Head: by popular demand, Glasgow RC have added women's J14 2x in the second division (2.30pm). I've updated the full list of events offered.

Eight for sale: check it out on the Sales & Wants page

4 March

High Performance Coach Development programme: the National Rowing Academy is instigating a new programme to bring through the 'next generation' of performance coaches in Scotland. Full details here.

Scottish Schools Head - changes to event times: the start time at Saturday's Scottish Schools Head has been brought forward on Police advice, given the Old Firm match nearby on the same day. Umpires' meeting now 1230pm at Glasgow RC, races starts at 1.30pm. Start order here.

Competition licences: the roll-out of the new style licence continues. Here's an update from Race Control Convenor Sandy Walker on how to use your licence - and how to avoid penalties.

'Competitors should note that the new 6 digit licence number should be inserted in the entry form when entering a regatta. The old 3 figure numbers are now redundant and should no longer be used. Under no circumstances should last year's number be inserted if a current licence has not been obtained as this could lead to the imposition of the levy agreed by the AGM. Competitors are again reminded of the necessity of having their licence with them for presentation, if requested, at regattas.'

If you haven't got your licence yet, check here for how to apply and here for the application form itself.

3 March

Traditions observed at Aberdeen Universities' Boat Race: results went according to the form book in yesterday's racing. Aberdeen University, with their larger numbers to draw on, were predictably able to beat The Robert Gordon University in the sprint race for mixed eights of first-year rowers. RGU continued their run of wins in the Alumni Race, while AUBC still hold an unbroken run of wins in the Boat Race itself. Good fun had by all, and some (equally traditional) top hangovers after the Boat Race Ball.

Photo shows the winning Aberdeen University eight with club president, Harri Norton, holding the trophy aloft.

1 March

Aberdeen 8s Head: wonderful weather, good racing, results here. AUBC scored most wins (4) with ABC taking 1 and DUBC another.

The photo, by Roy Sinclair, shows Aberdeen University overhauling Aberdeen Boat Club in men's open eights.

Clydesdale 8s and 4s Head: another small triumph for communications technology. Our appeal for a results sheet to substitute for the file lost after racing has 'got a result'. Here are the results of Race A.

Strathlcyde Park Regatta
26-27 April
Full multi-lane programme from J12 to Veteran.
Invitation, Regatta Notice, Events offered, Saturday entry & summary, Sunday entry & summary

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