Beryl Crockford

{{short description|British rower}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Beryl Crockford | image =  | image_size =  | alt = | caption = |  | birth_name = Beryl Martin | fullname = | nickname = | nationality =  | national_team =  | ethnicity = | citizenship = | birth_date = {{birth date|1950|06|26|df=y}} | birth_place = | death_date = {{death date and age|2016|09|11|1950|06|26|df=y}} | death_place = [[Westmead Hospital]], Sydney | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | monuments = | residence = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = | years_active = | employer = | agent = | height =  | weight =  | spouse = Duncan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rowingnsw.asn.au/news/1433/670/Vale-Beryl-Crockford.html|title=Vale: Beryl Crockford|date=12 September 2016 |publisher=Rowing NSW|accessdate=12 September 2016}}</ref> | other_interests = | website =  | module = |  | country = Great Britain | sport = Women's Rowing | position = | disability = | disability_class = | weight_class = | weight_class_type = | rank = | event = | event_type = | collegeteam = | universityteam = | league = | league_type = | club = St George's Ladies RC<br>[[Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club|Thames Tradesmen RC]]<br> [[Sons of the Thames|Sons of the Thames RC]]<br> [[Leander Club]] | team = | turnedpro = | turnedpro_type = | partner = | former_partner = | coach = | retired = | coaching = | module2 = |  | worlds = | regionals = | nationals = | olympics = | commonwealth = | highestranking = | pb = |  | show-medals = yes | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Women's [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] }} {{MedalCountry | {{GBR2}} }} {{MedalCompetition | [[World Rowing Championships]] }} {{MedalGold | [[1985 World Rowing Championships|1985 Hazewinkel]] | Lightweight double sculls }} {{MedalSilver | [[1981 World Rowing Championships|1981 Munich]] | Single sculls }} | medaltemplates-title = | module3 = | updated = 12 September 2016 }}

'''Beryl Crockford''' (formerly '''Mitchell'''; née '''Martin'''; 26 June 1950 – 11 September 2016) was a world-champion and Olympic rower who represented Great Britain from 1975 to 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rowingone.com/n_bio_rower.fwx?no_id=7430 |title=Beryl Mitchell |website=RowingOne.com |publisher=[[World Rowing]] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924045522/http://www.worldrowing.com/athletes/athlete/7430/ |archive-date=2016-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rowingone.com/n_bio_rower.fwx?no_id=35023 |title=Beryl Crockford |website=RowingOne.com |publisher=[[World Rowing]] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924045615/http://www.worldrowing.com/athletes/athlete/35023/ |archive-date=2016-09-24}}</ref> In 1985 she married Duncan Crockford and competed as Beryl Crockford afterwards, previously she had competed under her divorced name of Beryl Mitchell..<ref name=RS>{{cite web|url=https://rowingstory.com/people/beryl-crockford/|title=Profile|website=Rowing Story |date=31 August 2018 }}</ref>

==Representative rowing career== She was part of the coxed four at the [[1975 World Rowing Championships]] in Nottingham, the crew finished 9th overall after a third-place finish in the B final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS118324513/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=92051b4c |last=Railton |first=Jim |title=Rowing |work=[[The Times]] |date=1 September 1975 |page=7 |via=Times Digital Archives }}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> In the [[Rowing at the 1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Olympics]] she rowed with [[Lin Clark]] in the women's coxless pairs and in 1977 she was part of the coxless pair that finished 10th overall and fourth in the B final at the [[1977 World Rowing Championships]] in Amsterdam.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS185041181/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=5b12a1c6 |last=Railton |first=Jim |title=Rowing |work=The Times |date=29 August 1977 |page=11 |via=Times Digital Archives }}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= 1977 World Rowing Championships |date= 7 August 2017 |url= https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1977-2/ |publisher=Rowing Story |accessdate=1 October 2020}}</ref>

At the [[Rowing at the 1980 Summer Olympics|1980 Olympics]] and the [[Rowing at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympics]] she rowed in the women's single sculls.<ref>{{cite Sports-Reference|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/beryl-mitchell-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418040543/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/beryl-mitchell-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2020|title=Beryl Mitchell|accessdate=29 August 2016}}</ref> Her silver medal in women's single sculls in the [[1981 World Rowing Championships]] was the first medal achieved by a British woman at a World Rowing Championships, and her win with Lin Clark in the women's lightweight double sculls at the [[1985 World Rowing Championships]] was the first gold medal for a British women's crew at any championships. She represented [[England at the 1986 Commonwealth Games|England]] in the lightweight single sculls, at the [[1986 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teamengland.org/commonwealth-games-history/edinburgh-1986/athletes|title=1986 Athletes|website=Team England}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/50118|title=Athletes and results|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706221128/https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/50118|url-status=dead}}</ref> She represented Great Britain at three Olympic Games and eight World Championships in total.<ref name=RS/>

==Club rowing== As Beryl Martin she won the coxed fours with Janis Long, Ann Shackell, Margaret Goodsman and [[Di Ellis]], rowing for the St George's Ladies crew, at the inaugural [[1972 British Rowing Championships|1972 National Rowing Championships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS102070006/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=1d4b1833|title="Rowing." Times, 22 July 1972, p. 6|website=Times Digital Archives}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1972-2/|title=THE FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS|website=Rowing Story |date=22 March 2017 }}</ref> She won the coxed fours at the [[1975 British Rowing Championships|1975 National Championships]] and the while rowing for the St George's Ladies Rowing Club she won the coxless pairs with Lin Clark, at the [[1977 British Rowing Championships|1977 National Rowing Championships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS117801202/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=e235369d|title=Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 18 July 1977, p. 7|website=Times Digital Archives}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

At the [[1978 British Rowing Championships|1978 National Championships]] when rowing for the [[Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club]] she won the coxless pairs title with Clark and one year later at the [[1979 British Rowing Championships|1979 National Championships]] she was part of the composite crew that won the quadruple sculls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1979-world-rowing-championships/|title=NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (20-21 JULY 1979)|website=Rowing Story |date=16 January 2018 }}</ref> She was the single sculls champion, at the [[1981 British Rowing Championships|1981 National Rowing Championships]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS235243764/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=5061c9be|title=Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 20 July 1981, p. 14|website=Times Digital Archives}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and the [[1982 British Rowing Championships|1982 National Rowing Championships]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1982-world-rowing-championships/|title=NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (17-18 JULY 1982)|website=Rowing Story |date=21 February 2018 }}</ref> Also in 1982, when women's invitational events were introduced to [[Henley Royal Regatta#Exhibition races|Henley Royal Regatta]], Mitchell won the inaugural [[Princess Royal Challenge Cup|single sculls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rowinghistory.net/HRR%20US/hrr_1946-2000.htm |title=Henley Royal Regatta Results of Final Races 1946–2003 |accessdate=29 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161931/http://www.rowinghistory.net/HRR%20US/hrr_1946-2000.htm |archivedate=16 July 2011 }}</ref>

A third consecutive single sculls title was won at the [[1983 British Rowing Championships|1983 National Rowing Championships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS319655154/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=ffb637a1|title=Railton, Jim. "Problems for British selectors." Times, 18 July 1983, p. 19|website=Times Digital Archives}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> She was part of the double sculls crew with Lin Clark that won the national title in a dead-heat with [[Bradford Amateur Rowing Club]], rowing for [[Sons of the Thames]], at the [[1985 British Rowing Championships|1985 National Championships]]. The race was the first dead heat for winners since the start of the Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS487952628/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=2f1bc2d0|title=Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 20 July 1985, p. 29|website=Times Digital Archives}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS419926262/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=d35f6c00|title=Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 22 July 1985, p. 25|website=Times Digital Archives|access-date=3 August 2020|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803115234/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GDCS&u=oxfshlib&id=GALE|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Teaching and coaching== Crockford trained as a dance teacher at Chelsea College of Physical Education Eastbourne before turning to physical education, teaching and college lecturing even during her competitive career.<ref name="Grdn"/> She was the first female member nominated for membership of [[Leander Club]] when the club voted in April 1997 to admit women members (after 179 years a male-only club).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regatta.rowing.org.uk/99-leander.html|title=Leander votes for women|work=Regatta Online|date=June 1997|accessdate=29 August 2016|archive-date=27 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212305/http://www.regatta.rowing.org.uk/99-leander.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 1990s she coached [[Lady Eleanor Holles School]] to be the most successful junior women's rowing club in the country,<ref name="Grdn">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/19/beryl-crockford-obituary|title=Beryl Crockford obituary|last=Dodd|first=Christopher|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 September 2016|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> and in 2013 she was reported to be coaching the Ancient Mariners squad, a masters crew who row from the [[Drummoyne Rowing Club]] in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-02/ancient-mariners-show-age-not-an-issue/4727886|title= Ancient Mariners rowing club shows age not an issue|first=Lucy|last=Carter|date= 2 June 2013|work= www.abc.net.au|accessdate= 11 September 2016}}</ref> For a number of years before her death she was the head coach of rowing at [[Sydney Boys High School]] and coached the school's 1st VIII.<ref>[http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/publications/high-notes/vol16no7 SBHS 2015 publication]</ref>

==Death== On 11 September 2016, Crockford succumbed to injuries she sustained after crashing into a parked car whilst cycling in the precinct of [[Sydney Olympic Park]].<ref>Hansen, Nick. (12 September 2016). [http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/beryl-crockford-rowing-champ-loses-fight-for-life-after-bike-crash/news-story/73af98b4eb5167061bdfe582ade2dd09 "Beryl Crockford: Rowing champ loses fight for life after bike crash"]. ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]''. Retrieved 12 September 2016.</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{World Rowing|7430|Beryl Mitchell}} * {{Olympics.com|beryl-mitchell|Beryl Mitchell|org_archive=20210110075126}} * {{Olympedia|37180|Beryl Mitchell}} * {{CGF|50118|Beryl Crockford|archive=20220706221128}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crockford, Beryl}} [[Category:1950 births]] [[Category:2016 deaths]] [[Category:British female rowers]] [[Category:Olympic rowers for Great Britain]] [[Category:Rowers at the 1976 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Rowers at the 1980 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Rowers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:World Rowing Championships medalists for Great Britain]] [[Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for England]] [[Category:Rowers at the 1986 Commonwealth Games]]