Stratford upon Avon BC Adaptive Head Coach Mark Dewdney nominated for Unsung Hero Award
The Award is part of the Variety Disability Sports Awards, organised by Variety, the Children’s Charity
Mark Dewdney (left) with athletes from SUABC's Adaptive Squad.
The Variety Disability Sports Awards – to be held on Monday, 25 November – will celebrate and champion the achievements of disabled sports people across many levels, roles, locations, and sports – as well as the triumphs of sporting heroes at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Mark was shortlisted for the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ for his achievements as an internationally renowned coach in the para-rowing scene.
As well as being Adaptive Head Coach at Stratford upon Avon BC, Mark is the (retiring) Chairman of British Rowing’s Club Adaptive Group. His own squad is the most impairment-diverse in the UK. This, and 18 years of relevant experience, helps him act as a mentor to the adaptive rowing community. Mark explained, “Each athlete has different capabilities but each wants to propel a boat. Its the mental puzzle of finding the best solution for the individual that I really love. Its the most interesting coaching, by a country mile, I have ever done”.
His award citation reads:
The Stratford upon Avon BC adaptive squad, set up in 2015 with just two rowers, now has a significant waiting list and deliver sessions throughout the week to a plethora of participants from across the impairment spectrum.
Since 2015, the club has gone from strength to strength despite the challenges of the pandemic. Mark has steered the club through and ensured the adaptive squad members of all ages have received opportunities to continue to row to feel the social, physical and mental benefits.
But although he coaches a substantial number of adaptive rowers at Stratford upon Avon BC, as well as overseeing a large group of volunteers, his contribution to adaptive rowing has been much wider than that, with a major impact on a national level. As Chair of the British Rowing Club Adaptive Group, which he helped to establish, Mark is in constant conversation with rowing and disability focussed organisations and gives up significant amounts of his time to assist other rowing clubs and competitions across the country in planning adaptive categories, providing guidance to safety considerations and logistical planning. Mark helped to develop British Rowing’s national strategy for adaptive rowing, launched in 2023, and has enabled coaches of adaptive rowers across the country to share ideas and good practice on adaptive rowing.
Mark has done so much for inclusion and diversity in the sport and is a true hero in the field.
Mark commented, “To me the award is for all my volunteers. Without them we would have achieved nothing. There are a few other clubs around the country who are equally deserving of such recognition.”
About Variety, the Children’s Charity
Variety, the Children’s Charity are proud to fund sports specific wheelchairs and equipment to enable disadvantaged and disabled children to participate in a wide range of sports and activities. Our Sunshine Coaches provide accessible transport to sports facilities for thousands of children every year.
