It’s gold for Ely pair at Commonwealth regatta

Rowing

Isle of Ely Rowing Club members Dan Clift and John Hale won gold in the men’s coxless four event at the Commonwealth Regatta at Strathclyde.

Both men are part of the British Rowing ‘Start’ group for aspiring Olympians which is based at the Ely club.

As icing on the cake Dan also won silver in the Commonwealth men’s single sculls.

A week later he was again victorious in the main event at the GB Rowing Team’s sculling festival held at the National Water Sports Centre, in Nottingham. The festival, in which more than 100 talented rowers took part across a number of events, provides a development opportunity for rowers who aspire to represent Great Britain.

Whilst Dan and John were excelling in international competition in Scotland, another member of the club’s ‘Start’ group achieved a double success at Peterborough Regatta.

On the first day of this two-day event, Holly Hill won the women’s novice single sculls beating entries from Cambridge, Nottingham and London. She followed this on the second day by winning the higher level women’s intermediate two event, beating a Putney Town sculler in the final.

Isle of Ely chairman Derek Pickersgill said: “These and other successes demonstrate what has been achieved by the Isle of Ely Club in the 10 years since its formation.

“In contrast to the multimillion pound facilities now being built on the Stuntney bank of the river for the fortunate few of Cambridge University Boat Club, our members works out of two containers and three cabins.

“We are also a genuinely open club providing valuable recreational opportunities to the expanding local community whilst at the same time enabling talented rowers to attain the highest level.”