Chairman - Andrew Cawood

Tel. 07801 790418     
I have been involved in the sport for 10 years, introduced to the sport like many at University, and have continued rowing and sculling at York City Rowing Club. My interest has now switched to coaching, and I have become a silver coach, and coached two eight's into the Thames cup at Henley.

Secretary - Barbara Edwards

I have been involved in rowing for over 35 years and although back problems have prevented me from rowing I have been an active umpire for many years.  I met my husband at Bradford ARC and together we have been involved in running the Bradford regattas and the Yorkshire Head.  I am Secretary of Bradford ARC as well as Secretary for the Region.

Water Safety Adviser - Alec Gilchrist

I have been involved in our great sport since the age of 13.  As the Regional Safety Adviser, I would appreciate all your comments on any safety issue.  If you can think of anything that will improve our Safety, please contact me. 

Student Commissioner - Gill Porteous

I started rowing at York City in 1963 but moved away some years later.  I returned to rowing when my daughters started.  I am an active veteran, hold an ARA Instructors Award and am also an Umpire.  I have been Secretary and Club Captain at York City.  I work for the Students Union and want to give some of my experience back to University clubs and develop links between them and open clubs in our Region.

Coaching Commission - Ken Wootton

Although I learned to row at Bradford and taught at St Peter’s School, until my recent return to Yorkshire, most of my rowing has been on “foreign” waters, particularly the Thames.  I have coached at all levels and have trained coaches both in the UK and Overseas.  I am a Silver Level coach but have organised and assessed at Gold Level.      I was one of the original members of the FISA Development Commission.  Other than coaching, I am responsible for the Fullers’ Fours’ Head timing and results system and I am a timekeeper  for the Head of the River Race.

Junior Commission - Steve Newby

Umpires Commission - Andrew Shakespeare

I started rowing at Doncaster after leaving university and spent most of my racing life in small boats, usually as the steersman. I qualified as an umpire in 1995 and passed the multi-lane endorsement exam in 1999.  I have organised regional heads and regattas for over ten years and am currently the Race Committee Chairman for the British Rowing Masters Championships and Safety Adviser for the Metropolitan Regatta.

Divisional Representative - Terry Edwards

I started rowing at school, and decided that rowing was the sport for me.  Due to injury I am not able to row, but I am currently coaching Juniors and Beginners at Bradford ARC.  I am also a past Chairman of the Region, a position I relinquished on my election as Divisional Representative for the Region.

Treasurer - Jon O'Connell

Yorkshire Head Secretary - Stuart Ward

I have been actively rowing and racing for the past 45 years, having spent 41 of those as a member of Bradford ARC.  I began as Secretary of the Yorkshire Head in 1985 and with the help of the many volunteers in the Region it has remained a successful and popular event.  Presently my activities as a rower, umpire, Project Oarsome coach, member of the ARA Executive and National Water Safety Adviser allow me to see many aspects of the sport, which provides me with a wealth of enjoyment and satisfaction.

Veteran Commissioner - Bob Cannell

I'm the classic veteran novice. Getting too old for 'jumping around' type sports, sculling and rowing let me continue exercising at whatever level I am capable of. Four years after first picking up a blade, I'm still enjoying learning and enjoying the whole body physical fitness rowing has given me. Veteran racing is fun and I'm now coaching beginners. There are a lot of people like me joining the sport. And a lot more who could be joining. As Veteran Commissioner I particularly want to coordinate our Clubs' efforts to attract, keep and develop older beginners.

British Rowing CDO - Rob Cree

Tel. 0870 1644 802
I learnt to row at Southampton University when studying for a Masters degree in Education in my late 20’s and was bitten quickly by the rowing bug, joining Tees RC on my return to the UK after 4 years teaching overseas in Kenya and Italy.  I joined the ARA as Coaching Development Officer for the Northern Region is 2005; a post I held until moving to the Yorkshire region in 2010 to replace Rory Semple as the British Rowing Team Leader.  My best years as an athlete (if they were ever in front) are now firmly behind me although I am proud to have rowed at Henley Royal in 2007 and in 2009, albeit being knocked out on the Wednesday both times!  I am a qualified Level 3 coach and a tutor and assessor for the UKCC level 2 course.