Matt Hellier
Since the moment Matt could stand, his dad, a successful youth footballer in his day, was keen to get him involved in any sports available to him. Tennis was the first where he played competitively from the tender age of 5 and continues to do so today. After which Matt has tried his hand at a number of different sports; football, badminton, and cricket to squash, hockey, athletics and rugby... the list goes on. But it was only 4 years ago that after being spotted training on the rowing machines down the local gym he was invited to try coastal rowing. Since then Matt has worked up the ranks competing and winning his junior, junior/senior and senior championships in three consecutive seasons. The highlight of which was an unbeaten season in 2006 (as it was for Nick and Phil) where after competing on familiar and unfamiliar waters they finished off an amazing season by winning the championship race.
Just the end of this year Matt, along with crew mates Keiren Cahil, Doug Holdaway and Mark Mitchel, won the Senior Championship race, claiming the coveted Bideford Bowl...the pinnacle of coastal rowing events and trophies.
Sport plays a strong role in all aspects of Matt´s life. Since leaving college with A levels in Sport and Exercise Science, he has worked full time as a PE teacher at Shinewater Primary School where he helped to develop the much needed supply and participation of sport within primary education. Matt was also Assistant Manager of a local sports centre at the same time. He now works at the local 6th form college.
Having such success in a small space of time Matt is now keen to find the next challenge. To row across the Indian Ocean will truly be a life changing experience and something that Matt has set his sights on achieving; however because of high aspirations to be the best he will not be merely trying to get across, Matt is there to compete and will be aiming to win!
Back to About Us