23
Celebrating success past & present
Durham University Boat Club Alumni have been well represented at the Olympics – The Team GB rowing squad has won four gold medals, two silver and three bronze at London 2012, which makes them the most successful Olympic rowing team for the second successive Olympic Games. As you will know from previous bulletins, the squad included these Durham University Alumni (not shown in this photograph is James Harris, Durham Alumnus and gold medalist Kat Copeland's coach):
Fencing Current student and wheelchair fencer, Gemma Collis was also selected to represent Team GB at the 2012 Paralympic Games. At the time of going to press, Gemma has not yet competed, but we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on her selection. Gemma has been coached by the Team GB Paralympic Coach Laszlo Jakab who is also the Senior Fencing Coach for Durham University.
Durham University Olympics
Gemma Collis
Naomi commented: “Although I am a firm believer that true inspiration to achieve must come from within, the support that I have received during my time at Durham University, and in particular from my academic department and college, is unparalleled. Along the various sporting paths that I have taken, I have come to realise that having such a rock to rely upon is of the utmost importance in order to achieve ambitions and dreams.”
women's lightweight double sculls – Sophie Hosking – gold Louisa Reeve, Lindsey Maguire and Steve Rowbotham came fifth in their events. Lightweight men’s IV – Rob Morgan (coach) – silver Emily Taylor was also selected as a reserve for the women’s VIII Rob Morgan
Dave Miller
Torch bearers Mark Scholey (1999) College of St.Hild and St. Bede, 1st team Hockey and DAU President, was also appointed as the Torch Relay Programme Manager. The torch made its way to Durham and three rising sportswomen, Alumni and present students were involved who all represented Great Britain in their respective sports of hockey, rowing and fencing: England U21 hockey player, Steph Elliott, who hails from Middlesbrough, rower Naomi Hoogesteger whose crew broke the Atlantic crossing world record, and top five British fencer Kira Roberts.
Of these, Emily Taylor and Steve Rowbotham learned to row while at Durham. Steve also won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Dr Naomi Hoogesteger, a lecturer in the School of Modern Languages, hit the headlines last year when she broke the world record for the fastest Atlantic rowing crossing as the only female crew member. She completed the crossing in 31 days and 23 hours raising over £40,000 for charities along the way.
Dave Miller Dave was nominated to carry the torch through Hartlepool. Dave has been inspiring people to play hockey in the North East since the 1970s. Barely a hockey player will have come through the junior Durham and North East ranks or through Durham University without having benefited from Dave's coaching, mentoring or stewardship, including potential members of the Team GB hockey teams in 2012. Quite simply, he epitomises the spirit of selfless volunteering without which British sport would not be what it is today.
2011/2012 - A Sporting Review