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Rebecca Edwards awarded British Empire Medal 

Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Rebecca (Becca) Edwards was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Rowing, on King Charles lll’s first birthday honours list as monarch

The British Empire Medal is awarded for ‘achievement or contribution of a very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area, this could include sustained commitment in support of very local charitable and/or voluntary activity; or innovative work that has delivered real impact but that is relatively short in duration’.

Becca, from Aughnacloy in Northern Ireland has been a member of the GB Rowing Team since 2019 and was in the Women’s Eight (W8+) that won a silver medal at the 2022 European Championships in Munich. She also represented Team GB in the Women’s Eight at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and was in the Women’s Eight which won the Remenham Challenge Cup at Henley 2022. She learned to row at Queen’s University Belfast because she wanted to try something that would really challenge her.

In 2023, Becca has been selected as a travelling reserve at both the European Rowing Championships in Bled and World Rowing Cup II in Varese. She will be returning to competitive racing in the Women’s Pair with Chloe Brew at Henley Royal Regatta later this month.

“I feel incredibly honoured to have been awarded a BEM.” Becca said, adding, “It was a real surprise and something I never expected. I’d like to say thank you to the person who nominated me and to everyone who has supported me throughout my rowing career.”

Louise Kingsley, GB Rowing Team Director of Performance said: “Congratulations to Becca on the award of a British Empire Medal. Becca is an enthusiastic member of the women’s squad and brings energy and passion to everything she does. This season, she has approached her selection as a travelling reserve with such positivity, always on hand to support racing athletes with their competition and recovery and because of this has become well respected by her peers within the team. We are looking forward to seeing her back racing at Henley.”