The Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club Junior Squad have celebrated a successful 2008 / 2009 season last weekend. Following a grant from the Kent Youth Service for £50,000 the deputy mayor (to send name) helped name the new eight and new training single. The eight was named after the longest serving junior coach Ray Long who helped coach the juniors to their greatest year.
The boat naming ceremony was followed by the annual presentation evening held at Leeds Castle. It was a fantastic evening with lots of laughter and reminising. The junior of the year award was won by Morgan Hellen, who represented the club and Great Britain at Le Coupe de la Jeunesse winning 3 golds and a bronze. Morgan's mother, Anita Hellen was awarded Coach of the Year an award voted for by the juniors.
The overall contribution award went to Ross Porter after he coxed the junior eight to the Henley quarter finals, the coxed four to National Championship silver and represented the club and England winning a silver at the Home Countries. He is the club's youngest athlete to win a medal representing his country.
It has been a great year for the junior squad and a big thank you goes to all the juniors, parents and coaches for all their hard work.
Kate Beaumont
