A SCHOOL rowing stalwart has been honoured for his oar-some dedication to the sport.

Richard Cox, chairman of Queen’s Park High School Rowing Club in Chester, was a winner at the British Rowing Volunteer and Coach of the Year Awards.

Richard was named Regional Volunteer of the Year for the North West, and was presented with his award by rowing ace Alex Gregory MBE, double Olympic champion from London 2012 and Rio 2016.

The winners received their prices at a special lunch held at the River & Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

The annual ceremony is an opportunity to formally recognise and celebrate the passion and dedication of volunteers, who work tirelessly to help rowing thrive across Britain.

Richard said: “I was totally and pleasantly surprised to receive the award.

“My thanks must go to Lisa Jones and Angie Mohan, who nominated me.

“It’s not just me who runs the rowing club, it’s one big team effort from the coaches, committee, parent helpers, parents, school and of course the students.

“Without everyone’s input the club wouldn’t survive, so it’s great recognition for everyone at the club and school that does something to help us to be so successful.”

In their entry nominating Richard, Lisa and Angie praised him for his ‘ hard work and patience’.

They added: “He gives up every weekend to coach the students, repair boats, and certainly a number of week nights to arrange competition entries, organise the logistics of boat loading, boat sharing, teams, combinations, and always as fairly as possible.

“He is patient, kind and generous, and the rowers all have a lot of respect for him.

“Although not a rower himself, he has learnt to coach and has produced significant results developing a number of rowers.”

A spokesperson for Queen’s Park High School said: “We would like to extend our congratulations to Richard on his award.”