Graeme Mark – an outstanding, dedicated sportsman

Northern Region’s Volunteer of the Year 2008 – Graeme Mark of Talkin Tarn ARC

Graeme is the type of unassuming, enthusiastic and dedicated person that every sports club needs. He has been Captain of Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club since 1990 and has steadily steered the club to the high standard it achieves today. 

Graeme is responsible for – and organizes – the coaching, regatta entries, loading the boat trailer and driving it hundreds of miles a year to regattas, boat repairs and adjustments, winter circuit training, fundraising and anything else to do with rowing at Talkin Tarn.  He can be found at the club on none–club nights repairing boats and equipment or setting up and adjusting boats and oars ready for the members to use on club nights – important work that is never seen. On top of all that he still finds time to train himself and race at the occasional regatta. 

Graeme has given up many a weekend’s overtime so he can transport members and their boats to regattas all over the country.  He is a qualified and very respected coach as shown by the success of many of the crews and scullers that he has coached over the years, with over 300 wins in the last four years (over 100 wins last year alone), including two Silver and two Bronze Medals at The ARA National Rowing Championships.

Graeme has also been the main person responsible for building up Talkin Tarn Annual Regatta to what it is today – possibly the largest one-day regatta outside London with entries of about 300.  The time, commitment and enthusiasm shown over the years by Graeme deserves some form of recognition.  He is an outstanding dedicated sportsman.

Talkin Tarn ARC