First part AGM September 2000
This report gives a brief outline of the activities of the Junior Olympic Racing Squad, the Development Team and the Junior Development Squads during the last year.
Junior Olympic Racing Squad
In October 2000 the Junior ORS was formed for 1999/2000. 5 junior women kayak
paddlers, 8 junior men kayak paddlers and 1 canoe paddler were chosen. The squad
met for training weekends at Holme Pierrepont in November 1999, and January,
February and March in 2000. Many training days for each section were held at
different venues too. In addition to the squad members, 12 members of the JDS
were invited to all or some of the training sessions. Junior ORS crews were
entered at the April, May, June and July regattas at Holme Pierrepont.
In May a team of 7 junior men kayak, 2 canoe and 6 junior women kayak paddlers
attended the Bosbaan International Regatta in Amsterdam. We were competing
against paddlers from The Netherlands' team and Belgian, German and Dutch clubs.
We won medals in many of the events, the most significant being Richard
Darby-Dowman's wins in both the 500m and 1000m SENIOR Kl's. The level of
competition was not really as hard as we had hoped for. Next year we will be
looking for an event at another venue as The Bosbaan course will be closed for a
few years for re-development.
In June a team of 8 junior men kayak, 1 junior canoe and 5 junior women kayak
paddlers attended the Bochum International Junior Regatta in Germany. There were
19 nations participating in the team competition, some had two or more crews in
the singles and doubles events. Great Britain came 8th overall.
We were in 4 of the A finals. Our best result came from Richard Darby-Dowman in
the JMK1 1000m A final which he won. Richard came 4th in the 500m A final, less
than 2 secs. behind the winner. The K2 of Tim Sowry/Andrew Kelly qualified for
the 1000m A final. In the JMC1 A final Matthew Lawrence came 7th. Another
noticeable result was that of Jenny Spencer. She won the JWK1 500m B final in a
time which was less than 3 seconds slower than the A final winner.
It is worth noting that many of our paddlers were in the middle of taking
examinations at this regatta.
At the end of July a team of 7 junior men kayak, 1 junior canoe and 4 junior
women kayak paddlers travelled to Boulogne, France for the Junior European
Championships. At the last Junior European Championships in 1998 we failed to
reach any of the finals. This year not only did we reach 4 finals but we did
well in them. The best results came from Richard Darby-Dowman who had the
misfortune to come 4th in the JMK1 100Gm final missing a bronze medal by 0.03
seconds. In the 500m Richard came 6th. Also 6th in the 500m K2 was the crew of
Tim Sowry/Andrew Kelly. Jenny Spencer made the JWK1 500m final and came 9th.
Jenny will still be a Junior next year as indeed will be 5 other members of this
team when Junior World Championships will be held in Brazil. There were 37
nations competing in Boulogne and we came 12th overall - our best ever result.
Senior Development Squad
In May a team of 11 senior men kayak and 3 senior women kayak paddlers attended the Bosbaan International Regatta in Amsterdam along with the Junior team. We won medals in many of the events, the most significant being the wins in both 1000m and 500m SMK2's by Danny Golder/Keith Moule.
At the end of July a team of 7 senior men kayak and 3 senior women kayak paddlers competed in the Under 23 Challenge in Boulogne. This is a new event and was incorporated into the Junior European Championship programme. We reached 6 finals. Danny Golder/Keith Moule were 8th in both the 1000m and 500m. The K4 crew of Paul Burgoyne/Nick Fowler/Nigel Jones/Adam Kennedy were 6th in the 1000m and 9th in the 500m. Rachel Train was 8th in the U23 women Kl 500m final as also was the K2 of Abi Cattle/Lucy Hardy. There were 22 nations competing in the Under 23 event.
At the time of writing a team 9 senior men kayak and 3 senior women kayak
paddlers are scheduled to compete in the Zagreb, Croatia International Regatta
from 18th to 20th August.
Junior Development Squads
In November 1999, for the seventh year running, two squads of junior paddlers were formed, one designated North and the other South, comprising, in all, some forty paddlers. Training days were held during the winter. Entry fees were paid for crews racing for the JDS at the April, May & June regattas.Teams were entered for the Gent International Regatta in May. Unfortunately, because of extreme weather the regatta had to be cancelled after the first day's racing. At the time of writing we are anticipating sending teams to two Belgian Regattas in August and the Sobeka, Belgium regatta in September. There will also be a training camp at Nottingham in August.
The international experiences gained are valuable for those paddlers who become members of the Junior ORS.
I would like to thank Graham Campbell and Bev Hunter for the invaluable work they have done this year in running the JD Squads. I am also very grateful for the contributions made by numerous club coaches.
Finance
World Class Potential Funding enabled the Junior ORS and the Senior Development team to fulfill their training and competition programme.
In conclusion
I would like to thank the Junior ORS coaches Trevor Wetherall, Russell Jones, Tibor Herbent and Claudine Le Roux; the Development management and coaching team of Ron Thorogood, Anne Ferguson, Doug Parnham and Barney Wainwright; the Sport Science personnel for their support and Alan Edwards and Dave Enoch for their driving.
Finally my thanks go to all those who have been associated with the squad for their help and support. This year, once again, the co-operation of all concerned has ensured a smooth-running operation.
Laurence Oliver
Junior and Development Teams' Event Manager/Junior Coaching Co-ordinator.
31.07.2000