Stratford upon Avon adaptive rower achieves Level 2 Coaching Award

Gillian Middleton is the club’s first athlete with a physical impairment to gain the qualification

Stratford upon Avon BC’s adaptive squad is renowned for innovation and progress, adapting coaching techniques and equipment to enable adaptive scullers to achieve their potential.

In 2023, the club’s adaptive section worked with British Rowing, the sport’s governing body, to put on the first Level 2 Club Coach course devoted to potential adaptive coaches.

Although most of the coaches on the course were able bodied, Gillian is herself a member of the adaptive squad, and has cerebral palsy and limited mobility. After mentoring by Mark Dewdney, Stratford’s Head Adaptive Coach and his team, Gillian has now successfully completed the final requirements of the Level 2 qualification. This assessment included rigorous questioning on warm up techniques; boat set up; an instruction session with a ‘buddy’ sculler on the water being coached by her in real time; warm down techniques and extensive knowledge questioning. Gillian passed with flying colours!

Mark Dewdney said, “Gillian has won many awards on and off the water in the UK and also in Europe but gaining her Level 2 Coaching Certificate is perhaps her highest achievement yet. The award is a big step forward for Stratford and the sport. Gillian is Stratford Boat Club’s first athlete with a physical impairment to gain the qualification. We are so proud of Gillian’s accomplishment – it shows her determination to experience all aspects of rowing. She is an example to us all!”