Head of the Don  2nd November

Head of the Don Success! A Massive Thank You to Our Incredible Club!

What an amazing day for Doncaster Rowing Club! The annual Head of the Don on Sunday, November 2nd, proved to be an overwhelming success, both on and off the water. We hosted crews from across the country, and the feedback has been simply fantastic. This could not have been possible without every single one of you!

Sunday 12th October 2025: Foggy Start, Glorious Wins: Doncaster Shines at Ancholme Head! ✨

Ancholme Head—one of our club's favourite races of the season—delivered once again! Those of us lucky enough to be there were treated not only to unseasonably warm weather after a classic, atmospheric foggy start but also to some really great racing. More importantly, it was a day of fantastic racing, with great fun had by all our crews, young and (not so) young.

It was wonderful to see so many of our members out representing the club, truly making it an inclusive and memorable day!

Junior Crews Bring Home a Magnificent 7! 🥇

Our junior squad had a spectacular day, bringing home a magnificent seven wins from the event! These incredible victories are a testament to their dedication, power, and teamwork.

A massive well done and congratulations to all of our winning crews:

• WJ14 2x: Beth and Lucy

• WJ14 4x+: Beth, Lucy, Ella and Hollie, steered expertly by Alba as cox.

• J15 2x: Tobiasz and Joe

• WJ16 2x: Emilia and Alice

• WJ17 1x: Madison

• WJ17 2x: Sophie and Jess

• WJ18 4x-: Megan, Madison, Sophie and Emilia

Well done to every single competing junior crew. You all pushed hard and showed fantastic club spirit!

...read on....

Saturday 13th September: Doncaster Rowers Shine at Bradford Autumn Regatta!

What a day for the club! Our rowers absolutely smashed it at the Bradford Autumn Regatta yesterday, bringing home a fantastic haul of 10 wins! It was a brilliant day of racing, and the atmosphere was electric with everyone cheering each other on.

A massive congratulations to all our winners!

Junior Winners

• WJ14 1x: Hollie Scott

• WJ14 4x+: Lucy Smith, Hollie Scott, Beth Wilkinson, Ella Potterton, and cox Alice Arthur

• J15 1x: Caleb Dilks

• J15 2x: Tobiasz Zywicki and Joe Smith

• WJ16 1x: Emilia Knight

• J18 1x: Gabriel Ford

• WJ18 2x: Madison Fleming and Sophie Robertson

• W4x-: Megan Hill, Madison Fleming, Sophie Robertson, and Emilia Knight

Senior Winners

• Op 2x: William Smith and David Kelly

• Op 1x Band 1: William Smith

Beyond the Wins: The Doncaster Spirit

While the wins are amazing, it's about so much more than the medals. The sheer number of entries at Bradford made for tough competition, and it was incredible to see so many of our members, including some who were racing for the very first time, showing massive improvement since the last regatta in June.

Our Club Captain, Phil Allen, summed it up perfectly: "What a great day at Bradford. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t, but to see you all hanging out and supporting each other was brilliant. Some of you were racing for the first time and hopefully you felt what being part of Team Doncaster Rowing is like."

He also gave a huge shout-out to everyone who makes these days possible, from coaches and drivers to supporting families and teammates.

Carol Mcglone also commented on the fantastic progress everyone has made, saying, "You have all done amazingly well…the difference between when you competed at Bradford in June and your performances today have been huge…things look very positive going forward."

We also want to give a special mention to Sophie and Jasmine—we hope you both had a fantastic birthday weekend!

A massive well done to every single rower who competed. You’ve all done the club proud, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve in the upcoming head season!

Saturday 6th September: Awards Evening: Celebrating a Fantastic Season!

What a night! Our annual Awards Evening was a fantastic success, filled with laughter, celebration, and well-deserved recognition for our incredible athletes. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, and the energy in the room truly reflected the spirit of our club. A huge round of applause to all our winners—you've all made us incredibly proud.

Most Improved Junior Crew

This award goes to a crew that showed us all what happens when you mix hard work, determination, and just the right amount of laughter. At the start of the season, let's just say the ducks had some real competition! But week after week, they pulled together, quite literally, and transformed into a crew that now moves as one. Their progress has been incredible to watch, proving that improvement isn't about being perfect, it's about showing up, learning, laughing at the tough moments, and getting stronger every time.

A massive congratulations to our Most Improved Junior Crew, the WJ13 4x+, comprised of Lucy Smith, Beth Wilkinson, Ella Potterton & Hollie Scott!

Most Dedicated Athlete

Dedication isn't just about victories; it's about the countless hours of training, the early mornings, and the willingness to keep pushing even when no one is watching. This award celebrates someone who has shown remarkable resilience, discipline, and an unwavering drive to improve. Their persistence sets the standard for what it means to be truly dedicated. We'd also like to give a special shout-out to their training partner, the Ski Erg, but alas, it couldn't make it to the party!

It is with great pride that we present the Most Dedicated Athlete Award to Alice Arthur!

Best Cox or Steersperson

The role of a cox often goes unseen by those outside the boat, but every rower here knows the huge impact they have. A great cox is more than just a voice calling the race—they are the strategist, the motivator, and the steady hand that keeps the crew together when the water gets rough.

Tonight, we celebrate someone who has shown great leadership, unwavering focus, and the ability to bring out the very best in their crew. Their commands are clear (and in this case, very loud!), their timing is precise, and their presence in the boat transforms a group of rowers into a true team.

It's our honor to present the Best Cox or Steersperson Award to Emilia Knight, whose focus and skill have steered both the boat and her crew toward success.

Best Junior Crew

The Best Junior Crew Award celebrates skill, dedication, energy, and spirit! This crew has shown remarkable commitment, a willingness to learn, and an eagerness to step up to every challenge, resulting in some hard-fought wins. Their hard work, teamwork, and positive attitude have made a lasting impact on our club. They support each other both on and off the water, and their love of Cardio One is only equalled by their love of matching hair ribbons!

Please join us in congratulating our Best Junior Crew, the WJ18 4x-: Emilia Knight, Sophie Robertson, Madison Fleming and Megan Hill!

Best Boy

When asked for their chosen athlete for this award, all the coaches said the same name without hesitation. This young man displays maturity, ambition, sportsmanship, and determination. This determination, along with incredible effort, has led to him achieving a personal best on the erg week after week. His maturity and discipline on the water are evident in every single stroke. It’s clear he’s committed to being the best rower he can be, and you can see he thoroughly enjoys the single life! However, the improvement his coaches are most thankful for is the increased speed at which he washes his boat! 😜

We are so proud to present the Best Boy Award to Gabriel Ford!

Best Girl

This award isn’t just about rowing—it's about embodying the true spirit of our club. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional determination, discipline, and team spirit—qualities that have carried her through early mornings on the water and tough indoor training sessions. She has shown incredible teamwork, resilience, and dedication, not only to her sport but to our entire club, motivating those around her to push harder and aim higher.

You can often find her helping the coaches with the development squad, either by coxing or coaching. She’s turned up to every trailer loading (nobody packs the blades quite like she does!), and she goes to every event to support our club, even though she hasn't been competing herself lately. It is with great pride and admiration that we present her with this well-deserved award.

The Best Girl Award goes to Alice Arthur!

Adult Section Winners 🏆

It's not just our junior athletes who had a stellar year. We also want to shine a spotlight on our fantastic adult members who demonstrated incredible spirit and dedication throughout the season.

The Most Dedicated Adult Award goes to Maria Rock, who consistently put in the hours and set an example for everyone on the water.

The Most Improved Adult Award is shared by two well-deserving recipients. Kate Ford and Paul Gibson have both shown us what happens when you commit to a goal and push your limits. Their progress has been brilliant to witness.

Our Best Newcomer of 2025 is Jules Roberson! Welcome to the club, Jules—we're so excited to see what you'll achieve next.

Finally, the Club Man/Person of the Year award, which celebrates the person who goes above and beyond for the club, was presented to Andy Rawnsley. His tireless efforts and unwavering support for everyone at Doncaster Rowing Club have not gone unnoticed. Thank you, Andy!

Sunday 10th August 2025

DRC Rowers Make Waves at Peterborough Summer Regatta

Doncaster Rowing Club's men's section put on a fantastic display of skill and determination at the recent Peterborough Summer Regatta, competing against clubs from all over the UK. The event, known for its beautiful setting, was a great success for the DRC team, who brought home a host of impressive results.

The weekend saw some standout individual and team performances. David Kelly was a force to be reckoned with, taking home a brilliant first-place finish in the Masters B 1x event. A huge congratulations to David on this well-deserved win.

In his very first regatta since graduating from the Learn to Row course in September 2024, Paul Gibson made a stunning debut. Rowing alongside Lee Arthur in the Masters C 2x, the pair showcased some excellent teamwork and came in a very respectable third place. What an incredible way to start his competitive rowing career!

There was also a dramatic moment for Harry Hague in the Open 1x event. Despite a significant challenge—competing with two blades of different lengths—Harry showcased his resilience and skill by successfully navigating his way through the heats and securing an impressive second-place finish in the final.

Making an admirable showing in the highly competitive J18 competition, William Smith also raced to a fantastic second-place finish in the Open J18 1x event. His performance is a testament to his hard work and talent in a tough field. William Smith also competed on the Saturday in this two day regatta, gaining another second-place finish not only competing against a competitive field but also a massive tail wind making single sculling very tricky!

Other notable results include:

• Tom Swallow secured a third-place finish in the Masters I 1x and a second-place finish in the Masters I 2x with his partner, Dave from Hull.

The club extends its congratulations to all the rowers who competed. It was a great event, and we look forward to attending again next year!

Friday 18th - Sunday 20th July 2025

DRC Juniors Take on Brit Champs with Spirit!

Doncaster Rowing Club, proudly represented by our Doncaster Schools' Rowing Association athletes, recently sent a strong contingent to the British Rowing Junior Championships (Brit Champs), held from Friday to Sunday. Our juniors showcased incredible dedication and talent on the national stage, delivering some memorable performances!

The action kicked off on Friday with William Smith leading the charge in the J18 1x, demonstrating great skill in his single scull. He was swiftly followed by Maddison Flemming in the WJ16 1x, who also put in a fantastic effort. Both William and Maddison achieved amazing times in their time trials, a testament to their hard work and speed!

Saturday saw more solo strength with Gabriel Ford competing in the J16 1x, bringing his best in a superb time in a highly competitive field. Megan Hill also took to the water in the WJ18 1x, showing her prowess in a highly competitive category.

The weekend's racing concluded on Sunday with our powerful WJ18 4x- crew, featuring Megan Hill, Maddison Flemming, Sophie Robertson, and Emilia Knight. They rounded off the championships with a determined performance, securing a well-deserved C Final!

A huge congratulations to all our juniors who competed at Brit Champs. Their commitment, courage, and the experience gained from racing at this elite level are invaluable. 

You've made Doncaster Rowing Club incredibly proud!

Sunday 6th July 2025

Summer BBQ Fun Day: Sun, Showers, and Unforgettable Club Spirit!

What a day! Our recent Summer BBQ Fun Day truly brought the entire Doncaster Rowing Club community together for an unforgettable day of fun, laughter, and a little bit of everything the British summer could throw at us!

The day kicked off with thrilling Knockout Virus Racing, where mixed crews battled it out on the water, proving that teamwork (and a good sense of humour!) is key. Then, as a sharp, short shower sent everyone scurrying for cover, the action seamlessly moved indoors for energetic ERG Relays, pushing everyone's limits and generating plenty of cheers. Once the skies cleared, it was back to the river for the highly anticipated Scratch 8s, showcasing fantastic power and coordination from all who took part.

Beyond the racing, creativity blossomed with the Club House Mural Design session with Dan. It was fantastic to see members of all ages contributing their ideas to what will undoubtedly become a vibrant new addition to our clubhouse.

And what's a BBQ Fun Day without the 'BBQ'? Our incredible volunteers kept everyone fuelled with a continuous supply of delicious food and refreshing drinks. The spread of cakes and bakes was simply legendary – a huge thank you to everyone who contributed their culinary talents!

Yes, we had glorious sunshine, perfect for being out on the river, but in true British fashion, we also experienced a spell of torrential rain. Did it dampen our spirits? Absolutely not! If anything, it added to the adventure and highlighted the resilience and good humour of our members.

Ultimately, the day was a resounding success because it did exactly what we hoped: it brought the entire club and all our squads together for a day of pure fun. From juniors to seniors, seasoned rowers to Learn to Row graduates, it was a fantastic demonstration of the strong, supportive, and joyful community that is Doncaster Rowing Club.