# Beryl Crockford

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British rower

Beryl Crockford Personal information Born Beryl Martin (1950-06-26)26 June 1950 Died 11 September 2016(2016-09-11) (aged 66) Westmead Hospital, Sydney Spouse Duncan[1] Sport Country Great Britain Sport Women's Rowing Club St George's Ladies RC Thames Tradesmen RC Sons of the Thames RC Leander Club Updated on 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.[2][3] In 1985 she married Duncan Crockford and competed as Beryl Crockford afterwards, previously she had competed under her divorced name of Beryl Mitchell..[4]

## Representative rowing career

She was part of the coxed four at the [1975 World Rowing Championships](/source/1975_World_Rowing_Championships) in Nottingham, the crew finished 9th overall after a third-place finish in the B final.[5] In the [1976 Olympics](/source/Rowing_at_the_1976_Summer_Olympics) she rowed with [Lin Clark](/source/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](/source/1977_World_Rowing_Championships) in Amsterdam.[6][7]

At the [1980 Olympics](/source/Rowing_at_the_1980_Summer_Olympics) and the [1984 Olympics](/source/Rowing_at_the_1984_Summer_Olympics) she rowed in the women's single sculls.[8] Her silver medal in women's single sculls in the [1981 World Rowing Championships](/source/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](/source/1985_World_Rowing_Championships) was the first gold medal for a British women's crew at any championships. She represented [England](/source/England_at_the_1986_Commonwealth_Games) in the lightweight single sculls, at the [1986 Commonwealth Games](/source/1986_Commonwealth_Games) in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh), [Scotland](/source/Scotland).[9][10] She represented Great Britain at three Olympic Games and eight World Championships in total.[4]

## Club rowing

As Beryl Martin she won the coxed fours with Janis Long, Ann Shackell, Margaret Goodsman and [Di Ellis](/source/Di_Ellis), rowing for the St George's Ladies crew, at the inaugural [1972 National Rowing Championships](/source/1972_British_Rowing_Championships).[11][12] She won the coxed fours at the [1975 National Championships](/source/1975_British_Rowing_Championships) and the while rowing for the St George's Ladies Rowing Club she won the coxless pairs with Lin Clark, at the [1977 National Rowing Championships](/source/1977_British_Rowing_Championships).[13]

At the [1978 National Championships](/source/1978_British_Rowing_Championships) when rowing for the [Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club](/source/Thames_Tradesmen's_Rowing_Club) she won the coxless pairs title with Clark and one year later at the [1979 National Championships](/source/1979_British_Rowing_Championships) she was part of the composite crew that won the quadruple sculls.[14] She was the single sculls champion, at the [1981 National Rowing Championships](/source/1981_British_Rowing_Championships)[15] and the [1982 National Rowing Championships](/source/1982_British_Rowing_Championships)[16] Also in 1982, when women's invitational events were introduced to [Henley Royal Regatta](/source/Henley_Royal_Regatta#Exhibition_races), Mitchell won the inaugural [single sculls](/source/Princess_Royal_Challenge_Cup).[17]

A third consecutive single sculls title was won at the [1983 National Rowing Championships](/source/1983_British_Rowing_Championships).[18] 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](/source/Bradford_Amateur_Rowing_Club), rowing for [Sons of the Thames](/source/Sons_of_the_Thames), at the [1985 National Championships](/source/1985_British_Rowing_Championships). The race was the first dead heat for winners since the start of the Championships.[19][20]

## 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.[21] She was the first female member nominated for membership of [Leander Club](/source/Leander_Club) when the club voted in April 1997 to admit women members (after 179 years a male-only club).[22] In the 1990s she coached [Lady Eleanor Holles School](/source/Lady_Eleanor_Holles_School) to be the most successful junior women's rowing club in the country,[21] and in 2013 she was reported to be coaching the Ancient Mariners squad, a masters crew who row from the [Drummoyne Rowing Club](/source/Drummoyne_Rowing_Club) in Sydney.[23] For a number of years before her death she was the head coach of rowing at [Sydney Boys High School](/source/Sydney_Boys_High_School) and coached the school's 1st VIII.[24]

## 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](/source/Sydney_Olympic_Park).[25]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Vale: Beryl Crockford"](http://www.rowingnsw.asn.au/news/1433/670/Vale-Beryl-Crockford.html). Rowing NSW. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Beryl Mitchell"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160924045522/http://www.worldrowing.com/athletes/athlete/7430/). *RowingOne.com*. [World Rowing](/source/World_Rowing). Archived from the original on 24 September 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Beryl Crockford"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160924045615/http://www.worldrowing.com/athletes/athlete/35023/). *RowingOne.com*. [World Rowing](/source/World_Rowing). Archived from the original on 24 September 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RS_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RS_4-1) ["Profile"](https://rowingstory.com/people/beryl-crockford/). *Rowing Story*. 31 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Railton, Jim (1 September 1975). ["Rowing"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS118324513/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=92051b4c). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. p. 7 – via Times Digital Archives.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Railton, Jim (29 August 1977). ["Rowing"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS185041181/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=5b12a1c6). *The Times*. p. 11 – via Times Digital Archives.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["1977 World Rowing Championships"](https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1977-2/). Rowing Story. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; [Mallon, Bill](/source/Bill_Mallon); et al. ["Beryl Mitchell"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200418040543/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/beryl-mitchell-1.html). *Olympics at Sports-Reference.com*. [Sports Reference LLC](/source/Sports_Reference). Archived from [the original](https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/beryl-mitchell-1.html) on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["1986 Athletes"](https://teamengland.org/commonwealth-games-history/edinburgh-1986/athletes). *Team England*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Athletes and results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220706221128/https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/50118). *Commonwealth Games Federation*. Archived from [the original](https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/50118) on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [""Rowing." Times, 22 July 1972, p. 6"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS102070006/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=1d4b1833). *Times Digital Archives*.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["THE FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS"](https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1972-2/). *Rowing Story*. 22 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 18 July 1977, p. 7"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS117801202/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=e235369d). *Times Digital Archives*.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (20-21 JULY 1979)"](https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1979-world-rowing-championships/). *Rowing Story*. 16 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 20 July 1981, p. 14"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS235243764/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=5061c9be). *Times Digital Archives*.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (17-18 JULY 1982)"](https://rowingstory.com/year-by-year/1982-world-rowing-championships/). *Rowing Story*. 21 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Henley Royal Regatta Results of Final Races 1946–2003"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161931/http://www.rowinghistory.net/HRR%20US/hrr_1946-2000.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.rowinghistory.net/HRR%20US/hrr_1946-2000.htm) on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Railton, Jim. "Problems for British selectors." Times, 18 July 1983, p. 19"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS319655154/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=ffb637a1). *Times Digital Archives*.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 20 July 1985, p. 29"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS487952628/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=2f1bc2d0). *Times Digital Archives*.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 22 July 1985, p. 25"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210803115234/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GDCS&u=oxfshlib&id=GALE). *Times Digital Archives*. Archived from [the original](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS419926262/GDCS?u=oxfshlib&sid=GDCS&xid=d35f6c00) on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Grdn_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Grdn_21-1) Dodd, Christopher (19 September 2016). ["Beryl Crockford obituary"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/19/beryl-crockford-obituary). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved 20 September 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Leander votes for women"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212305/http://www.regatta.rowing.org.uk/99-leander.html). *Regatta Online*. June 1997. Archived from [the original](http://www.regatta.rowing.org.uk/99-leander.html) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Carter, Lucy (2 June 2013). ["Ancient Mariners rowing club shows age not an issue"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-02/ancient-mariners-show-age-not-an-issue/4727886). *www.abc.net.au*. Retrieved 11 September 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [SBHS 2015 publication](http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/publications/high-notes/vol16no7)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Hansen, Nick. (12 September 2016). ["Beryl Crockford: Rowing champ loses fight for life after bike crash"](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/beryl-crockford-rowing-champ-loses-fight-for-life-after-bike-crash/news-story/73af98b4eb5167061bdfe582ade2dd09). *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney))*. Retrieved 12 September 2016.

## External links

- [Beryl Mitchell](https://worldrowing.com/athlete/7430) at [World Rowing](/source/World_Rowing)

- [Beryl Mitchell](https://olympics.com/en/athletes/beryl-mitchell) at [Olympics.com](/source/International_Olympic_Committee)
- [Beryl Mitchell](https://web.archive.org/web/20210110075126/https://www.olympic.org/beryl-mitchell) at Olympic.org (archived)

- [Beryl Mitchell](https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/37180) at [Olympedia](/source/Olympedia)

- [Beryl Crockford](https://web.archive.org/web/20220706221128/https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/50118) at the [Commonwealth Games Federation](/source/Commonwealth_Games_Federation) (archived)

v t e World champions – Lightweight women's double sculls FISA championships 1984: (Elisabeth Fraas, Kirsten Jensen-Plum) Official world championships 1985: (Lin Clark, Beryl Crockford) 1986: (Chris Ernst, Carey Sands-Marden) 1987: (Janice Mason, Heather Hattin) 1988: (Laurien Vermulst, Ellen Meliesie) 1989: (Carey Sands-Marden, Kristine Karlson) 1990: (Ulla Jensen, Regitze Siggaard) 1991: (Claudia Waldi, Christiane Weber) 1992: (Claudia Waldi, Christiane Weber) 1993: (Colleen Miller, Wendy Wiebe) 1994: (Colleen Miller, Wendy Wiebe) 1995: (Colleen Miller, Wendy Wiebe) 1997: (Angelika Brand, Michelle Darvill) 1998: (Christine Collins, Sarah Garner) 1999: (Constanța Burcică, Camelia Macoviciuc) 2001: (Janet Radünzel, Claudia Blasberg) 2002: (Sally Causby, Amber Halliday) 2003: (Marie-Louise Dräger, Claudia Blasberg) 2005: (Daniela Reimer, Marie-Louise Dräger) 2006: (Xu Dongxiang, Yan Shimin) 2007: (Amber Halliday, Marguerite Houston) 2009: (Christina Giazitzidou, Alexandra Tsiavou) 2010: (Lindsay Jennerich, Tracy Cameron) 2011: (Christina Giazitzidou, Alexandra Tsiavou) 2013: (Laura Milani, Elisabetta Sancassani) 2014: (Sophie MacKenzie, Julia Edward) 2015: (Sophie MacKenzie, Julia Edward) 2017: (Ionela-Livia Lehaci, Gianina Beleagă) 2018: (Ionela Cozmiuc, Gianina Beleagă) 2019: (Zoe McBride, Jackie Kiddle) 2022: (Emily Craig, Imogen Grant) 2023: (Emily Craig, Imogen Grant) 2025: (Zou Jiaqi, Fu Ling) Since 1996, this boat class has been an Olympic event; see Olympic champions – Women's lightweight double sculls

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Beryl Crockford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Crockford) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Crockford?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.