2023 Season Awards presented to GB Rowing Team senior athletes
Congratulations to Benjamin Pritchard, Jacob Dawson and Georgie Brayshaw who were presented with Paralympic and Olympic Athlete of the Year trophies by former GB Performance Director, Sir David Tanner at Caversham, during a team meeting attended by the full squad, coaches and support staff
Paralympic Athlete of the Year
Benjamin was troubled with injury for much of the 2023, but support from his coach, physio, team doctor and S&C coach resulted in a particularly quick recovery. In the space of 12 weeks prior to racing at the qualification regatta in Belgrade he completed the programme with a focus and professionalism that was unequalled resulting in a very impressive World Championship bronze medal in the ultra-competitive PR1 men’s singles event. Amidst this challenging time he also welcomed his daughter Efa into the world and took to juggling training and fatherhood like a duck to water!
Olympic male and female Athletes of the Year
Jacob Dawson, a returning Olympic medallist from Tokyo, battled through significant health issues to win gold in the Men’s eight at the World Championships in Belgrade in 2023.
His presence on and off the water is of great benefit to the team as is shown by his passion for representing Great Britain on the world stage and his joy of being part of the closely knit men’s team. His positivity and personal drive are key values amongst a team of high-achieving athletes who have recorded unparalleled success in the past two seasons and he is a true role model for younger athletes thanks to his strong work ethic and high levels of motivation.
Georgie Brayshaw, is a true team player who commits totally to any task she is given. Her ‘no fuss’ approach to training and racing has been an inspiration to her teammates and she is well respected amongst her peers. She also has a bubbly personality that provides energy to the group. Her determination and rapid rise from squad member to Women’s quad World Champion has been exciting to watch. She demonstrates an obvious enjoyment of our sport which is infectious to those around her.
