Queens rowing: Weekend successes . 8 May 2012

Queens’s rowers had a successful bank holiday weekend representing the university and winning in three countries.  The first medal came on Saturday in the form of a bronze for Donald Evans in the men’s light weight single scull at Ghent International Regatta in Belgium (Ghent results). Closer to home the second year novice men travelled to Portadown regatta  where they took victory in the men’s novice 4+ and a close second to Bann in the men’s inter 4+ (Portadown results).  

The main action of the weekend was in Nottingham, England where the British universities and colleges Sports rowing championships 2012 took place. Queens had crews in 17 “A” finals and took home 6 well deserved medals. The full results can be seen HERE.

The women’s squad led the way in producing a number of top performances. Notably in the Championship pair and coxless 4 event.  The results the girls have achieved are testament to the new professional coaching structure put in place within the last 5 years.  The girls taking victory on Monday are completing an unprecedented set of medals picked up over the last 3 years. Last year they won gold in the intermediate event and in 2010 during their first year of rowing they picked up the beginners 8 gold medals.  The medals picked up in the championship class this weekend mark the first time Queens Ladies have ever won the top medal in a British university’s rowing event, and shows year on year achievement. Many hours’ hard training professional and voluntary coaches along with increasing support from the Lady Victoria boat club, QUB sport and the wider QUB family have allowed this to happen.  

The establishment of one alumni club to support both the men and women is clearly increasing rowing standards within the university and producing better results.  The women’s beginner 8 also took gold this weekend and we are hoping that with continued support this can be a building block to bring more medals in the top championship event back to Ireland in years to come.

The men made the “A” finals in all their events bringing back a gold medal in the IM2- and Bronze in the very competative men’s beginner 8. The BUCS regatta brought to a close this part of the season.  Queens over the last 4 years has established it’s self as a small but competitive force within University rowing in The UK and Ireland.  Things have turned around, in 2007 zero medals were won at BUCS, the tide has turned and the aim now is to see further growth and success within the sport here in Belfast.  

Thanks must also go to all the volunteers that are support head coach Mick Desmond to allow queens to achieve continued success.  In Nottingham Julie Lynch Women’s senior coach, Stuart Kelly men senior, Mark Butler novice men and  Gavin Meek,. In Portadown Mark Jamason and everyone else back in Belfast Paddy Doherty, Laura Mills, Andy Wells, Decky Gollogly  and Steven Lockwood

The next challenge for the students is to balance the demands of the exam season with the high level of training expected over the month of May and thoughts are turning to the big one and run into The Irish champs in Mid July.  Next up will be the new look university Boat race were QUB will race Cambridge along a new course on the Lagan.  We hope to see all friends of Queens at the new regatta enclosure located in the PEC car park and along the backs of the river Saturday June 2.