Sarah Hayward

As a rowing coach, Sarah is committed to doing her best for the rowing club she founded more than 10 years ago in Swansea. With few members, little equipment and no money to begin with, she obtained support from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, particularly directed towards Junior Rowing. As a former Guide and Sea Scout, it has always been her main purpose in life to encourage young people in particular to take up the sport she loves. The club now has a strong membership, mostly Juniors and Veterans, with all members of families encouraged to take part at whatever level is appropriate. Sarah has been supported by WARA and Swansea City Council to provide some of the first opportunities for Adaptive Rowing in S. Wales, one of the club members, James, took part in the Beijing Paraolympics. She has also taken coaches into both primary and secondary schools locally, running courses for students aged from 9 upwards, and one local school now has 2 members of staff who are qualified rowing coaches. Sarah has rowed competitively for Wales, and is currently in charge of Development for WARA, particularly Junior rowing. She does this as well as a full-time job, and a family which includes 2 school age children, one of whom is a promising footballer, which also involves her committment. Sarah typifies the person who will ensure that we continue to punch above our weight in Olympic Rowing.