Members and friends gathered on Saturday, January 4th at the invitation of Club Captain Anna as the club’s new Stampfli coxless quad/four was named in honour of former coach and oarsman Bill Parker who died in 2021. Many who had rowed with Bill or been coached by him over many years came together to celebrate the naming of the new boat and to show their appreciation of Bill who has been widely acclaimed for his contribution to the club and to rowing across the region and the country.
Former coach Alan Granlund, who remembers Bill from his schooldays, addressed those assembled with a few words highlighting some of Bill’s many achievements as a very accomplished oarsman and coach during a long career which included time at Washington Comprehensive School, Consett Grammar School and St Leonard’s School, before his move to Durham ARC.
As a coach of the DARC Junior squad Alan shared with Bill some of the club’s greatest achievements on the national stage.
Inviting Bill’s daughter Christine and grandson John to conduct the official naming, Club Chairwoman Angi Lund enthused ‘There is nobody more worthy of a boat named after them than Bill’.
Bill Parker naming
We look forward to Bill Parker representing the club at competitions around the country over the coming year.
Coxless quad/four named Bill Parker