Olympic medallist returns to Hexham

Posted by Graeme Whitfield on Sep 4, 08 10:50 AM in News

Olympic bronze medallist Matt Wells has returned to the club where he learned his sport, but investment will be as important as his inspiration if the next generation of Hexham rowers are to follow in his footsteps.

Matt Wells and Hexham Rowing Club

The 29-year-old now lives near the national rowing centre in Cavesham, Reading, but has been back to the town where he grew up this week to thank those who set him on the road to the Olympics.

Wells, who narrowly missed out on silver in China, has been taken aback by the support he received locally and nationally during the Olympics - something he was oblivious of until flying home to last week's heroes' reception.

"Hands On in Hexham (a local beauty salon) had its shop window totally devoted to me for three weeks," said Wells, who hopes to compete at his fourth Games in 2012. "It was really nice to see that kind of support from home."

"Everyone who's come through this club comes back, helps out and teaches the guys how to row. I'm 29 and more than happy to help out with the 13-year-olds who will come next month."

Pauline Higgins, a teacher at Queen Elizabeth High School's rowing club, revealed that despite being part of an increasingly strong North East rowing scene, it leads a hand-to-mouth existence.

Pauline relies on co-operation from the local universities and a couple of hours per week from a part-time community coach.

"We spend our life trying to find money, like most clubs I would imagine," she admitted. "The money we get is what we scrounge. On Saturday we'll be in Waitrose to raise money and on September 21 they're rowing a marathon from Lincoln to Boston - 50k."

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