News

Posted 06 October 2026

Scottish Rowing is delighted to celebrate the winners of the 2025-26 Scottish Rowing Awards, recognising the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, clubs, crews and events that have made such a positive contribution to our sport over the past year.

From international medals and memorable performances to the countless hours given by coaches, officials and volunteers, this year’s nominations told inspiring stories from across the Scottish rowing community.

Every winner has made a difference, whether by achieving at the highest level, creating opportunities for others or simply giving their time and energy to help our sport thrive.

Volunteer of the Year: Lesley Afuakwah

Lesley Afuakwah has been named Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her exceptional and sustained contribution to junior rowing.

Lesley has been involved in junior coaching for around 18 years and currently makes a 70-mile round trip to coach the Strathclyde Park Rowing Club junior squad up to three times each week.

Her commitment reaches far beyond regular training sessions. She supports training session planning, competitions, race-day preparation and training camps, while providing continuity whenever other coaches are unavailable.

Lesley is commended for not only her coaching knowledge, but also her kindness, humour and ability to make every athlete feel supported. Whether helping a beginner develop confidence or supporting an athlete pursuing international selection, she gives her time and encouragement generously.

Lesley also mentors younger coaches and encourages athletes to give something back to the sport themselves, ensuring that her influence will continue through another generation.

Much of Lesley’s work happens quietly and without any expectation of recognition. The difference she has made to athletes, coaches and families over many years makes her an incredibly deserving Volunteer of the Year.

Young Volunteer of the Year: Matthew Bell

Matthew Bell receives the Young Volunteer of the Year Award after making an outstanding contribution to student and community rowing.

When the University of Strathclyde Boat Club found itself without coaches, Matthew stepped forward during his Master’s year to support the novice programme. He coached the new cohort, developed individual training plans and helped crews achieve fourth place at BUCS Head and several novice A finals at BUCS Regatta.

His dedication to student rowing extends well beyond his own club. Having previously served as club captain and novice captain, Matthew went on to support Scottish Student Rowing as Vice-Chair, helping to rebuild the student rowing network and virtual league, coordinate the Captains Group and support competition activity at Inverness Head and the Scottish Rowing Student Regatta.

He has also volunteered with the Firhill Youth Project, sharing his time and experience with young people outside the university environment.

Matthew’s willingness to step forward when help was needed, and his determination to create opportunities for others, capture the spirit of this award.

Club Coach of the Year: James Davidson

Over approximately ten years, James has helped to grow participation and create a programme at George Heriot’s School in which beginners and experienced athletes alike are encouraged to develop. His coaching combines technical progress and sporting ambition with enjoyment, teamwork, respect and resilience.

Athletes coached by James have enjoyed an exceptional season. Highlights included the Women’s J18 quad winning at the Scullery, reaching the quarter-finals of Henley Royal Regatta and securing medals at the British Championships.

A significant proportion of the Scottish junior women’s team at the Home International Rowing Regatta had also been coached by James. The team went on to secure Scotland’s first junior women’s team victory in nearly three decades.

While the competitive results have been impressive, James is also recognised for his commitment to every young person within the programme. From welcoming beginners to supporting athletes towards international rowing and university scholarships, James has helped generations of rowers recognise what they can achieve.

His patience, dedication and lasting influence make him a very worthy Club Coach of the Year.

Official of the Year: Elisabeth Briggs

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Briggs is the winner of the inaugural Official of the Year Award.

Lizzie Briggs has become a familiar and much-valued presence at Heads, regattas, sprints and Beach Sprint events throughout Scotland. Her commitment has also taken her to National Schools, BUCS, British Masters and British Championships events in England, as well as the Home International Regatta, where she represented Scotland as an umpire.

During the season, Lizzie took on her first Senior Umpire role at Castle Semple Regatta and deputised in senior positions at major multi-lane events. Her calm, approachable and supportive manner has helped create positive experiences for athletes, volunteers and fellow officials.

She has also been an enthusiastic mentor to trainee umpires, particularly younger women entering officiating. Her contribution has included supporting trainees at events, appearing in Scottish Rowing’s umpire information videos and helping to develop new umpiring uniform, including a distinctive Beach Sprint umpire shirt.

Alongside her officiating commitments, Lizzie continues to support Aberdeen Boat Club through coxing, event preparation and volunteering on the club’s tea stall.

Her enthusiasm and willingness to help others make Lizzie a wonderful ambassador for officiating and a very deserving first recipient of this award.

Junior of the Year: Caitlin Warnock

Competing as a J17, Caitlin won silver and bronze with the British women’s quad at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Lucerne. The crew took bronze on the Saturday before improving to silver on the Sunday, contributing to an outstanding overall performance by the British team.

Caitlin also produced an excellent performance at the National Schools’ Regatta, winning silver in the Championship Girls’ Single Sculls.

At the Scottish Championships, she was crowned Scottish Women’s J18 single-sculls champion and finished an impressive sixth in the senior Women’s Single Sculls, demonstrating her ability to compete successfully beyond her own age category.

Her results built on a strong start to the season. At the Scottish GB Rowing Team U19 benchmarking trial held as part of Inverness Autumn Head, Caitlin won the U19 women’s event.

From domestic success and strong trial performances to standing on an international podium for Great Britain, Caitlin’s season has shown her talent, consistency and exciting potential for the future.

Senior of the Year: Izzy Clements

Izzy Clements has been named Senior of the Year following a breakthrough season on the international stage.

Representing Ireland, Izzy won World Cup silver in Seville and World Cup bronze in Lucerne before competing in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls at the 2026 World Rowing Championships.

Her achievements were also celebrated closer to home, where she was named the University of Edinburgh Women’s Athlete of the Year and Edinburgh University Boat Club’s Senior Women’s Rower of the Year.

It has been a season of significant progress and richly deserved recognition for an athlete making her mark on the international stage.

Crew of the Year: Hansine Marshall and Tash Phillips

Hansine Marshall and Tash Phillips have been named Crew of the Year following an outstanding performance at Henley Royal Regatta.

Representing the University of St Andrews, the pair reached the final of the Stonor Challenge Cup for Women’s Double Sculls, where they faced the reigning Olympic champions.

Their performance marked a remarkable achievement for both athletes, particularly with Hansine competing in only her second year of rowing. Their success also highlighted their impressive versatility, with both athletes competing across Beach Sprint and classic rowing.

Hansine and Tash’s Henley campaign was a wonderful example of what can be achieved through talent, teamwork and belief.

Event of the Year: Saints Regatta

Saints Regatta has been named Event of the Year after delivering a welcoming and memorable celebration of Beach Sprint rowing in St Andrews.

The event brought together international-standard competitors, developing athletes and those experiencing the discipline for the first time. It was made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers from the University of St Andrews Boat Club, the wider university, Scottish Rowing and the Beach Sprint community.

A wider range of categories and the introduction of banded finals gave more competitors the opportunity to experience the excitement of knockout racing. When the weather and waves presented challenges, the organising team adapted throughout the day to keep the event moving.

The racing was followed by an evening awards celebration and ceilidh, giving competitors and volunteers the chance to come together and celebrate a fantastic day for Beach Sprint rowing.

Club of the Year: Inverness Rowing Club

Inverness Rowing Club is our 2025-26 Club of the Year following an impressive season of growth, collaboration and investment in the future.

The club has continued to expand its junior and senior sections through outreach and Learn to Row activity, while working closely with Strathclyde Park Rowing Club to create composite junior crews and share opportunities through training camps and Beach Sprint taster sessions.

Its commitment to developing different forms of the sport has also included the creation of a new coastal sculling base in Nairn. By affiliating with the local sailing club, installing boat racks and purchasing six coastal boats, Inverness is helping to build exciting new opportunities for coastal rowing in the Highlands.

Accessibility has remained central to the club’s ambitions. A new accessible pontoon and adaptive equipment have been introduced, alongside engagement with prospective adaptive rowers and local partners including High Life Highland and Highland Disability Sport.

The club also continues to make a valuable contribution to the Scottish racing calendar through its two popular Head races, delivered with the support of members, parents and volunteers.

Through its growth, ambition and willingness to work with others, Inverness Rowing Club has demonstrated the very best of Scottish club rowing.

Innovation and Impact Award: Firhill Youth Project & Community Sports Hub

Firhill Youth Project & Community Sports Hub receives the Innovation and Impact Award for its work to create a free and accessible pathway into rowing for young people in North Glasgow.

The project operates in a locality where rowing has traditionally had little presence. In 2025, 84% of its participants came from SIMD 1 or 2 communities.

Its focus has not simply been on introducing young people to rowing, but on giving them meaningful opportunities to return, build confidence and continue their involvement. Across the first 15 Core Group sessions in 2026, the project recorded 50 participant-attendances, compared with 33 across the equivalent number of sessions in 2025.

After identifying coaching capacity as a barrier to growth, the project secured funding for coach onboarding and expanded its sessional coaching pool from two to six, excluding its Lead Coach. It has also strengthened links with North United Communities, Glasgow Life, Active Schools and other local organisations.

With a more diverse funding base and a growing coaching team, the project is now better placed to continue its activity through the winter and offer greater continuity to its young participants.

Firhill remains a relatively small project, but its commitment to building sustainable opportunities in the community shows how rowing can reach and positively influence young people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Ailie Ord

Ailie’s contribution to rowing extends far beyond any single role or achievement. Over many years, she has given back to the sport as a committee member and coach at both St Andrew Boat Club and Strathclyde Park Rowing Club, as well as through her work as an umpire and her longstanding involvement with the Scottish Rowing Regatta Organising Committee. She has also supported the arrangements for the much-loved tea tent at Spring Regatta and the Scottish Championships.

Ailie remains an active committee member and coach at Strathclyde Park Rowing Club, while continuing to compete successfully and bring home silverware from the World Masters. Her commitment to supporting others is equally evident, from coaching para-athlete Jake Woods on his journey to representing Great Britain to driving a trailer across Europe in support of clubs sending crews to the World Masters.

Through her sustained commitment, generosity and willingness to help wherever needed, Ailie has made a lasting contribution to rowing in Scotland. Her service to athletes, clubs and events over many years makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Scottish Rowing Lifetime Achievement Award.

Thank you to our rowing community

Congratulations to all our 2025-26 Scottish Rowing Award winners, and thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination.

The stories shared through this year’s awards demonstrated the extraordinary breadth of talent, commitment and generosity across Scottish rowing.

To every athlete, coach, official, volunteer, parent, supporter and club member who has contributed during the past year, thank you. Your passion, hard work and willingness to support one another are what make our rowing community so special.