Local Coach Inspired Olympic Medal Success
Tideway Sculler's Bill Barry's part in Alan Campbell's bronze is hailed
A coach at a local rowing club is being hailed for his part in the medal success of a Chiswick based Olympian.
Long-time Tideway Sculler Bill Barry guided Alan Campbell to bronze in the men's single sculls. Bill himself had won an Olympic silver medalist in the coxless four at Tokyo in 1964.
Bill Barry with Alan Campbell. Photo: Ben Rodford
The story goes that at their first meeting Alan announced to Bill that his aim was to be Olympic Champion, to which Bill replied “let’s get to work”. Alan’s confidence in his own potential and Bill’s faith in his own judgement perfectly complimented one another and created the environment for both to excel since.
Nathan O’Reilly, Captain of The Tideway Scullers School, said, "An Olympic medallist as an athlete and now as a coach, Bill Barry will always have a respected place amongst the great coaches to ply their trade at Tideway Scullers."
It is 88 years since Britain won a medal in the category of men's single sculls. Alan Campbell, a member of Tideway Scullers Club based on the Thames next to Chiswick Bridge, has been described as a “real inspiration for the younger members”.
Alan said: 'I am incredibly proud to have won bronze for GB, but also to be part of Tideway Scullers. I am a servant to the club.”
Alan Campbell celebrates with medal
And in a twist of fate, New Zealand's Mahe Drysdale, who took the Gold Medal, has also rowed at Tideway Scullers.
Originally from Coleraine in Co. Antrim, Alan has lived in west London since 2002 and was an Olympic finalist in 2008. In a recent video by Martin Gough of West London Sport Alan spoke of how the club had taken him under its wing in 2002 and had become his ' London family'.
Tideway Scullers School (TSS) was founded in 1957 with the aim of promoting excellence in the sport of sculling: club members have competed on numerous national teams, with representation at every Olympic Games since 1988. Today the club, based by Chiswick Bridge is a thriving centre for scullers of all ages - from masters to juniors - and both men and women. The club runs sculling courses affiliated with British Rowing's Row for Gold initiative each year, at Easter and in the Summer. In July 2012 the Boathouse Appeal was launched, with the aim of raising £135,000 to build a new boatshed to house the fleet.
August 9, 2012