Narelle Powers Coaches Award

Narelle's criteria set out in 2016 was:

Demonstrate through their actions and words to the coach, that they are willing and capable of being easily taught and trained to paddle better
Willing to be corrected and to act on that correction
Prepared to be wrong when a paddler is highly coachable
Can stand a high degree of candor, because they understand that if each paddler is performing to the absolute best of their abilities, the better the team.

Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2024

Coaches Jenny Milward-Bason, Donna Lennon and Kim Tito
present Shelley Owens with "Coaches Award" for 2024.

Congratulations Shelley Owens
We are thrilled to present the Narelle Powers Coaches Award to Shelley Owens: 'Shelley is a quiet achiever, with a demonstrated commitment to improving her paddling. Shelley’s commitment has been proven by her willingness to step into different positions in the boat, and her ability to absorb and act on the instruction of others. Shelley keeps fit off the water through running and hiking and does not shy away from extra effort sessions or endurance. The team benefits from her level of fitness. Shelley is a focussed and determined constant at training sessions.' Well deserved Shelley!.

Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2023

Shared by Gigi Lungu and Che Mortimer for 2023
with coach Donna Lennon presenting.

Congratulations Che Mortimer and Gigi Lungu
We are delighted to have two wonderful recipients for this year’s Narelle Powers Coaches Award.

Congratulations Che, who has trained with a highly visible degree of focus and commitment this year. She has come a very long way since joining Dragons Abreast Canberra; she has re-gained her strength and continued to power on from there. Che is continually developing her paddling skills and contributing ideas to our race strategies. In stepping up to the role of stroke, we can see her strong leadership skills and feel her presence in the boat which all makes a difference to the team.

Congratulations also go to Gigi, one of our quietest paddlers in the boat. In the lead up to the IBCPC International Regatta in New Zealand, Gigi affirmed her commitment to training and preparation for the event, marking a clear change to her confidence in the boat. Gigi is able to paddle in many different positions in the boat, and she gives her all every time. Well done.

Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2022

Congratulations to Natalie Evans-Sandell! Award presented by coach Donna Lennon with Coordinator Julie Chynoweth.
This year’s award celebrates Natalie’s achievement of her Level 3 Sweep Accreditation. To gain sweep accreditation is a unique feat in the world of dragon boating. There is much to learn, practice and finesse along the way. It is truly an ‘on-the-job’ scenario that requires personal commitment and development, the building of new connections and relationships with the team and formal accreditation to seal the deal.

It’s been another year on and off the water where it has been difficult to maintain individual focus at times. However Natalie did not lose hers, ultimately attaining exactly what she wanted, with a plan in mind, and demonstrating perseverance and determination throughout. The very nature of learning something completely different and new in order to achieve accreditation goes to the heart of Narelle’s criteria as being ‘highly coachable’. Well done!

Without taking a single thing away from Natalie’s achievements, the support of the Dragons Abreast Canberra Sweeps is also to be celebrated and acknowledged.

Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2021

Shared by Amanda Ferris and Megan Davis for 2021 and presented by
coaches Lucy and Donna with Coordinator Julie Chynoweth.

Our Coaches said both Amanda and Megan are quiet achievers in the boat, demonstrating their love of being on the water as well as their ability to ‘get down’ to business in the boat.

As individuals they have developed their skill and style which they have continued to polish throughout the training and regatta season. They have also stepped up to embrace new challenges and play their part for the good of the team.

Amanda and Megan meet Narelle’s criteria and beyond; the recognition through the Award is well deserved.

Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2020

"This year's coaches award goes to a paddler who has shown significant and progressive improvement over the season. She's clearly made a commitment to strengthen her entire approach to paddling; try something different in the boat and challenge herself to see where she can go! This enables us to celebrate her achievements and reflect on our own potential as well. In this way, watching this paddler as an individual, team member and role model has been something of an inspiration.
Awarded to Clare Purcell"

Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2019

Congratulations to Penny Ovington who was presented the Narelle Powers Coaches Award
by coaches Lucy Cheetham and Donna Lennon at the final DBACT Regatta for the 2018-2019 season, 30-31 March 2019.

Narelle Powers Coaches Award 2018

Congratulations to Marion Leiba who was presented with the
Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2018 by Frances Heaney (DA coach).

Marion has had an outstanding season. Her paddling and overall fitness has improved over the season. Marion rarely missed a training session the whole season. Marion has also stroked quite a few training sessions with her bench buddie Joan White and loved the new challenge of stroking. Marion raced in just about every DB ACT regatta. She will finish the season off with a bang at the Australian Championships in March at Lake Kawana, Queensland. Congratulations Marion — a coach’s dream. Frances Heaney

Narelle Powers Coaches Award 2017

Congratulations to Sue Willemsen-Bell who was presented with the
Narelle Powers Coaches Award for 2017 on 11 March 2017 by Frances Heaney (DA coach).

Sue had an outstanding first year paddling. Some highlights include: paddled in most regattas both here and interstate, the 2 km has become a walk in the park, attended her first DAA regatta in Caloundra, raced at the DAA Festival on Darling Harbour in the A final, taking out a bronze in a very tight finish, and is now trained in the 10's crew for the Nationals. Congratulations Sue well done. Frances Heaney

Narelle Powers Coaches Award 2016

Anne Baynes was presented by Frances Heaney with the
inaugural Narelle Powers Coach’s Choice Award, 16 April 2016.

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