Camilla Andersen won most promising rower
By Jamie Melbourne-Hayward
At last week?s New Zealand rowing awards the Petone Rowing Club proved their prominence at all levels by picking up a raft of commendations. Camilla Andersen won most promising rower, Greg Stothers was named rowing coach of the year and David Pullar won the administrator of the year trophy for the second time in a row. President of Petone Rowing Club Russell Baxter says the club is fortunate enough to have the best people in the country at administration and coaching levels, and lucky to be blessed with some great talent. ?Camilla Andersen is currently training with the New Zealand Junior Women?s quadruple sculls at Lake Karapiro, prior to that she has represented New Zealand at the World Junior Rowing Championships in France last August,? said Mr Baxter. Miss Anderson was the recent winner of the Women?s Under 18 Single Sculls and the Stephanie Foster Trophy at the recent Maadi Cup regatta in the Waikato. She didn?t the ceremony, and her trophy was accepted her coach Greg Stothers. Mr Stothers has been the coaching lynchpin of the Petone rowing club for the past nine years. Mr Baxter said, ?Greg?s success achieved with Camilla Andersen this year, with her selection in the NZ Junior Girls quadruple sculls to travel to France in August, is a significant reward for coaching and encouraging Camilla to that level. ?Camilla?s win at the Maadi Cup Regatta was majorly significant in the manner of her win ? a dominating start to finish performance against several very highly fancied competitors from around New Zealand,? said Mr Baxter. He says the win was a significant illustration of the fruits earned from four years spent carefully grooming an athlete. ?Greg Stothers coaching skills and achievements are frequently acknowledged by others all over New Zealand as his tidy accomplished crews? row past spectator banks. ?He has demonstrated the ability to deliver the relentless commitment of time the sport demands to nurture and develop successful rowers,? said Mr Baxter. Dave Pullar has established high levels of quality in organization and communication with members since his arrival, said Mr Baxter. ?He sets new standards; we can?t find room for the excuse of not knowing about a letter, a decision, a necessary action ? I cannot remember a more effective person in this role. ?Petone Club, Wellington and New Zealand rowing would certainly be considerably poorer without his input,? he said.
