1980

By John Foley

Mark Allan

Keith Ratcliffe

Dave Allan

Brian Flood

Wayne McConnell

Henry Flood

The Kennebecasis Rowing Club has launched an $8,000 fund-raising campaign to send six oarsmen to England next month to take part in the city of Newcastle-on-Tyne’s 900^th birthday.

Club vice-president Bob Hutchinson said the club is subscribing to the general public for the funds needed.

"We've had success in raising money in the past so we’re confident of being able to send our oarsmen overseas," he said. "We have a list of names of 100 people we plan on sending letters to."

Brothers Mark and David Allen and Brian and Henry Flood, Wayne McConnell, coach Keith Ratcliffe and Hutchinson will make the trip

After the regatta at Newcastle, near the Scotland border, May 31-June 1, the Kennebecasis oarsmen will compete at two invitational regattas near London similar to the prestigious Renforth Regatta.

The club will be represented in pairs, straight fours and coxed-fours and coxed eights competitions.

The Kennebecasis club was contacted two months ago and extended an invitation to attend the festivities. As well, Saint John mayor Samuel Davis has been invited.

The Kennebecasis club has enjoyed remarkable success in a short time, since being formed in 1971 and Hutchinson said it should have no problem receiving the CARA's approval for the trip to England,.

"We're quite high up in the eyes of the CARA because of the success we’ve had with so few members. It’s surprising how we can be competitive with a club like St. Catharines, Ont., one of the best clubs in North America."

The club’s claim to fame came in 1977 at the Canadian Henley Regatta at St. Catharines and the national championships. The Allen brothers won gold medals in the pairs competitions at both regattas and teamed with Andy Messer and McConnell to win a gold in the straight fours at the Canadian championships.

"We’ve worked very on trying to line up billets for the boys and will keep working towards that," Hutchinson said. "Hotels could be the bulk of our expense."

The $8,000 would pay for the expense of six of the club members. Hutchinson said McConnell, now residing in Dalhousie, will pay his own way.

The Kennebecasis club is far ahead of the little competition in New Brunswick.

"We’d really like it if our competition around the province were better," Hutchinson said. "We’ve shown everybody what can be done in such a short time without a lot of people or money."

The coaching techniques of Ratcliffe are the reasons behind the club’s success, Hutchinson said.

Approximately 30 oarsmen are enrolled at the Kennebecasis club in either competitive or recreation programs.

Aside from the coaching of Ratcliffe, McConnell and David Allen have run the instructional programs over the last two years.

"This is where we really hang our hat," Hutchinson said in reference to McConnell and Allen.