Athlone Boat Club elects second ever female Captain

Athlone Boat Club has elected its first female Captain since 1976, with Deirdre Feary taking over the role from Nick Friel.

Back in 1970s, Chrissie Keane became the club first ever female captain, and now Feary follows in her footsteps, having been elected at the AGM earlier this month.

Describing Friel as a “true gentleman”, Athlone Boat Club PRO Padraig Hegarty said that during his two years in the role, Nick focused on such matters as unity, transparency, integrity and inclusion.

“He was extremely approachable and passionate about the role. The club will miss Nick as he now turns to take his hand at rowing yet again,” said Padraig.

New club captain Deirdre Feary said: “I am a very proud member of Athlone Boat Club, it’s a club and community that I absolutely love. I have been a member since my teens and I love how rowing makes me feel. When you are on the water, you can’t think of anything else but what you are doing in that moment. For me rowing is a real active meditation, it calms the mind and invigorates the body.

“I also love the craic in the boat club. The chats and the banter between coaches, kids and crew can be heard by all walking past the club and I love how life long friendships are forged here. Today, I still row with women I rowed with 30 years ago. It’s because of this that I am extremely proud to be the first female captain of the club since Chrissie Keane.”

Deirdre continued: “As captain I am part of a dynamic female presence in a progressive and inclusive committee where over 50% are women. In my role as captain I hope to continue the great work started by our outgoing captain Nick Friel and the outgoing committee. We recently acquired funding and land at Coosan Point From Westmeath County Council and we hope to develop this site so that it can become the home of our recreational rowers and our junior and masters beginners groups.

“I hope to support our brilliant and dedicated coaching team who are the backbone of our club. Without them, our club can not function,” said Deirdre, hailing the volunteer effort of many people in the club.

“Athlone Boat Club proudly and successfully competes on the national and international stages and it is my role as Captain to facilitate our rowers and coaches in achieving their goals. Athlone Boat Club is supported hugely by individuals, businesses and stakeholders in Athlone and surrounding areas and I hope to strengthen and develop these relationships,” added Deirdre, who thanked club president Paul Donovan, the committee and club members for entrusting her with the position.

Chrissie Keane said: “It’s just great to hear about the election of Deirdre Feary as Captain of Athlone Boat Club. I’ve no doubt that Deirdre will shine as Captain.

“I am especially pleased to see her become the second female captain of the Boat Club, but I’m not surprised. Not only has Deirdre a strong track record as oarswoman and coach for many years, but more importantly, the ethos, policies and atmosphere in the Boat Club has, for the past few years, been very open and inclusive. This is evident in mixed crews at beginner junior level, and equal inclusion of women and men in all activities, on the water and in club administration. This is wonderful to see and will only serve to make the club stronger.”