Stratford upon Avon BC celebrates 150th anniversary

As the club reaches this significant milestone, key members reflect on the past and look forward to the future

From foundation to Paralympic and Olympic medals

Paul Stanton, Stratford upon Avon BC President, explains, “The Club was formed in 1874: the central part of the clubhouse dates from the 1890s and remained much the same until after WW2. The efforts of members, often building facilities themselves, has added various additional areas since then, the last being the Gym Pavillion in 2015.

Stratford BC was formed as a men’s only club: only in the 1970s, a hundred years after ifs foundation, were women allowed to become full members. The Club has a varied history with some outstanding achievements dotted along the way: the crew that got to the final of the trials for the 1948 London Olympics, James’s Roe’s gold medal at the 2012 Paralympics , and the Esme Booth‘s Olympic silver medal in Paris this year. A fine record for a club that has always had very limited resources!”

Junior rowing

J13s demonstrate their boat balancing skills.

Steve Wellstead, Junior Coordinator, says, “Junior rowing at Stratford upon Avon BC has transformed over the last 150 years. Our clubhouse walls display the early achievements of a few dedicated schoolboy rowers from the 1900s, yet today’s junior rowing scene in Stratford has grown tremendously. We now have a thriving squad of around eighty boys and girls alongside a growing number of adaptive junior rowers.

“Our mission is to prepare young athletes for a lifelong passion in rowing. With that goal, our junior programme offers them the full spectrum of the sport – sculling, rowing, coxing, coaching and more. Competing across regional and national events, Stratford BC’s juniors are a regular presence at some of the country’s most competitive races, bringing back medals and trophies that celebrate a tradition of success.

“None of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteer coaches, safety launch drivers and the many supporters who make it all happen. But perhaps the strongest testament to our junior programme is the legacy of our athletes: many go on to row at other clubs and universities, some become coaches guiding the next generation and a select few have even reached the heights of Olympic and World Champion glory. As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on our legacy and carry junior rowing on the Avon forward for another one hundred and fifty years!”

Volunteering at Stratford upon Avon BC

Julian Foster, long standing volunteer, former Club Captain and Masters sculler, says, “My first thought on being a volunteer at Stratford upon Avon BC was of immense gratitude to the many people who have selflessly given their time and energy to the club. I have never forgotten how Chris Morgan, the then Club Captain, drove me all the way to Trentham Regatta for my first race as a junior with the sculling boat strapped to the roof of his old Ford Escort.

“My first serious stint as a volunteer was captaining the club in the mid-1990s when it had suffered several setbacks. I am eternally grateful to the many people who stepped up to do tasks such as repairing boats, helping with fundraising, coaching and acting as vice captains for the different squads.

“Family and career limited my opportunity to give much support to the club for a while but I remained a member of ‘Team Hamburger’ for many years, grilling burgers at our regattas, which was great fun as well as a good fundraiser!

“Approaching retirement, I learned to drive safety launches, enabling me to repay some of the support the Club has given me. I am privileged to provide safety cover and occasional coaching tips for the youngest members of the Club: it is immensely satisfying to watch these youngsters grow from nervous beginners to confident, capable young adults who show great team spirit.”

The boat club as a springboard

Camilla Hadland-Horrocks, World Rowing Junior Championships gold medalist 2010 and rowing commentator, said, “It’s been fantastic to see the Club feature so strongly at every level of the sport, international, national, grassroots and also participating in brilliant community initiatives. What makes the Club so successful and special is its ability to support members and athletes with whatever their aspirations may be. To see Stratford Boat Club’s name feature amongst some of the largest clubs and events up and down the country still instils a huge sense of pride in me.

“The Club was instrumental in making me feel welcome and at home with a new sport when first taking it up at Stratford School and encouraged me to take it all the way to the highest level. Without the Club, I would not still be involved with rowing to the level I am today and it’s always wonderful to return home to visit and see the next generation of Stratford junior rowers falling in love with the sport in the same way I did twenty years ago!

A highlight this year was to witness the 150th year celebrations at Henley Royal Regatta and seeing the diversity of the Club’s membership represented on this world famous course!”

Masters rowing

Amanda Bowden, Masters’ Vice Captain and medal winning Masters’ sculler and rower, said, “The Masters’ squad has seen considerable growth in rowing membership post Covid: It is now a regular occurrence to see Masters’ crews taking to the river every day of the week and throughout the seasons in all boat classes.

Masters Men at Monmouth Head – December 2024

“The aim of the squad is twofold: firstly to enable members to row independently as single scullers, giving flexibility to enjoy the river when they have the opportunity, and secondly to join the squad, connecting and meeting other members to form crews, thereby having fun rowing in a variety of boat classes.”

Masters rowers at Stratford benefit from being part of a readymade community where members meet new people, make friends and join in with the club rowing and social activities. Rowing is a fabulous sport that strengthens physical and mental health, offering the opportunity for competitive racing at all levels. The Masters’ squad at Stratford enters all levels of competition from novice to European level. The winter head races and summer regattas are a huge amount of fun, through which further connections with the wider rowing community are forged.

The Masters’ women have seen the most significant development over the last two years. The nature of the rowing stroke and strengthening work is particularly beneficial for growing bone density and women can feel hugely empowered by others in the crew which makes rowing particularly attractive as a sport for life.

Amanda adds, “The highlight of this year was the Masters Women’s eight racing at the Vesta International Masters Head of the River Race and we were further inspired when Esme Booth, our Silver Olympian, came to support her mother and the other women who were in that crew. Esme’s achievements in rowing for GB are hugely motivational for the Masters’ women as – she is a role model, showing us all being the best version of what we can achieve for ourselves and through dedication to your crew!”

Olympic dreams

Esme (second from right) at Paris 2024. Photo: Steve McArthur/Row360

Esme Booth, Olympic silver medalist, Paris 2024, physiotherapist and support worker, reflected, “I owe so much of my success to Stratford upon Avon BC. Growing up in Stratford, the Club was where I first learned to row, and it was here that my journey in the sport began. The supportive environment taught me essential skills and instilled in me the discipline needed to operate at the highest level. The Club’s training and team mindset set a strong foundation, preparing me to tackle the intensive training programme at Oxford Brookes University.

“Rowing isn’t just about medals, it’s about enjoying the journey, seizing every opportunity and putting in the hard work. The support and encouragement from Stratford upon Avon BC’s coaches and my teammates made those early years memorable and motivating. They showed me that success doesn’t just mean winning but taking every opportunity and always giving it one hundred percent!

“I hope my story inspires young rowers at the club to pursue their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them. Stratford BC is where it all started for me and I’m grateful for the role the club played in helping me achieve everything I have in my rowing career!”

Stratfor – a thriving centre for adaptive rowing

Adaptive rowers on the club’s landing stage.

Mark Dewdney, Stratford BC Head Adaptive Coach, British Rowing Medal of Merit 2023, former Chairman of British Rowing’s Club Adaptive Group/Adaptive Strategy Group and Ambassador for International Mixed Ability Sports, said, “Stratford’s award winning Adaptive Section started in 2015, is the largest most impairment diverse squad in the UK. With a membership of some 20 athletes, the squad has an enviable competitive record. It is widely regarded as the most advanced provision in the country and, as such, it has an important role in mentoring other less experienced clubs on best practice, safety and other matters. The primary focus is delivery of an enjoyable sport to many but with the ability to support those with Paralympic ambitions. The recent formation of a junior adaptive squad bodes well for the future.”