Dover Rowing Club held their annual Dinner & Dance, which included the end of season awards, at the Holiday Inn Dover.

Talented junior rower Ella Cook was awarded the Most Improved Junior and the Best Performance of the Year awards. This season Cook progressed into the adult squad performing well as a novice. Cook’s first race saw her win with a Novice Four crew for which she won the Best Performance Award.

The Club Rower’s Rower, voted for by the membership, was Will Coleman the club’s new captain for his performance during the season and support for the development of the members.

The Most Improved Rowers awards went to Emily Harvey for taking her first CARA win in the Novice category as well as her excellent progression with her sculling, for which she received the light hearted ‘Tears to Cheers’ award. Chris Wong received the men’s award for his continuous improvement in training.

Damion Napier received the Club Person of the Year award. Damion has been involved in dealing with some challenging work as part of the Club committee and supported members over the season.

Freya Emmerson won Coxswain of the Year for her coxing and coaching during training.

Janice Bradford received the Role Model of the Year Award for endless enthusiasm and encouragement for all those around her.

Cameron Mackintosh was awarded Novice Sculler of the Year. Mackintosh progressed from Novice to Junior during the season through his determined effort to improve after a series of second place results.

Tom Stothart received the Teamwork award for his organisation of the Learn to Row course and open days, and his coaching through the season.

Outgoing Captain Maria West-Burrows gave the Captain’s award to her partner Tony Burrows.

Further light hearted awards were issued to Holly Hannington for the ‘Most Epic Crab’ when racing at Southampton, Nikki Leggatt the ‘Better Late Than Never Award’, Kira Roberts for ‘Best Cheerer of the Year’, Mackintosh, Eddie Briggs, Napier and Wong the ‘Most Likely to Need a Life Jacket’, ‘Best Choir’ was presented to Hollie and Rhiannon Castree, Holly Young, Erin and Orla Sanders, and Anna Gordon received the ‘Best Dressed Rower’.

Thanks go to Emily Harvey for organising the event, Jacky Silk for preparing the awards, Damion Napier for providing equipment and the staff at the Holiday Inn for a lovely evening.