Volunteer of the Year

ARA National awards are presented annually to recognise the outstanding contribution made by rowing's volunteers in the following categories:

• Open Club Sector - a volunteer from an open club.
• Higher Education Sector - a volunteer from a university or college club. Not necessarily a student.
• Junior Sector - a volunteer working with juniors. Applicants can be from any club working with juniors
• Junior Volunteer (U18) - any volunteer working within the sport of rowing aged 18 or under.

The last category is judged separately from those above with an overall National Junior Volunteer award also being presented alongside the overall National Volunteer of the Year.

Each ARA Region holds their own award ceremony and makes Regional Awards in these categories. Regions often make further awards recognising the achievements of other volunteers and participants, but only the above categories go forward to be nominated for National Awards. All regional category winners receive a certificate of national recognition for their contribution to rowing.

The winners of all the ARA Volunteer of the Year awards are invited to a lunch reception hosted by the ARA’s Chairman at the National Championships in July.