The Concept for ASRL Novice Sweep of the Year

The ASRL have introduced a new concept of recognizing our new Sweep Hands. Many experienced Sweeps around the country are only too happy to assist in the development of new sweeps and this award is recognition of that development.

To achieve what the three selected Sweeps have done in the first year of real competition is outstanding and as long as we continue to encourage and develop we can all only benefit with increased competent crew numbers.

Every State was invited to nominate a Novice Sweep into this new competition conducted to select the “ASRL Novice Sweep of the Year”.

And the winner for the 2007-08 season is: (click on the "Read More" button to view the rest of the article)

George Godfrey - Victoria

Age 29
History:
Torquay     Nippers to Senior Member
            No rowing history
Point Lonsdale
    2001-2        Reserve Grade        
    2002-3        Reserve Grade
    2003-4        Open Men
Woolamai
    2004-5        Reserve Grade
    2005-6        Open Men
    2006-7        Open Men
Commenced sweeping with 220 Years Masters Crew late in season.  Crew finished 4th at Victorian Masters Championships in only race for the season
    2007-8        Swept Under 23 Men
VSRL Open            2nd    
            Victorian Championships     3rd
            Australian Championships     4th
        Swept Under 23 Women
            Flinders to Pt. Leo Marathon    1st    Open Women
            VSRL Open            1st    Under 23 Women
            ASRL Open            Semi Finalist Under 23 W
            Victorian Championships     1st     Under 23 Women
                              3rd     Open Women
            Australian Championships    6th     Under 23 Women
        (Note:    The Victorian Championships were conducted at Jan Juc in
            5 to 6 foot surf conditions)

Two new Sweeps received “Special Mention”.

South Australia
Marty Davidson
Club: Semaphore SLSC - Achieved Bronze Medallion in March 1998
99/00 First surf season rowed in U18's
06/07 Rowed Open Men's
         Swept U19 Men's Silver Medal at States (in reasonable surf at Middleton)
07/08 Rowed Open Men's Silver Medal at States
         Swept U19 Men's Silver Medal at States (in challenging surf at Middleton)
         Swept 200 Men's Gold Medal at States (at Port Elliot Bay)

Queensland
Nathan (Disco) Davies

1999 – Rowed Under 18 Rainbow Bay
07/08 – Started Sweeping Under 23 Women
–    finished 2nd in Qld State
–    Representative crew selection in QLD State team at ASRL Open in Stockton

            
Congratulations to George, Marty & Disco. This is an ongoing competition and States should now be promoting the new novice sweeps by listing all details and achievements for the 2008-09 season to the Secretary of the ASRL.