Appleton Academy, Bradford 

Civic Honour for Dragons

A team of kayaking enthusiasts made up of staff from Appleton Academy and Doe Park Water Activities Centre have put the city of Bradford on the map as first time winners of the National Dragon Boat Championships.

Dragon Boat racing is an increasingly popular amateur watersport with its roots in ancient China.  However, British participation is a relatively recent phenomenon, with the first competetive race taking place in the UK in 1980.

The team, consisting of 16 crew from across the two organisations, entered the national event following a training session with a Dragon Boat team from Liverpool and, despite being first time entrants and only having one training session, became the first team from Yorkshire to win the event, the sports' Blue Ribbon competition.

In recognition of this amazing achievement, the team were rewarded with a Civic Reception and met The Lord Mayor of Bradford at City Hall earlier this month.

The team now hopes to bring Dragon Boat racing to Bradford, with the team captain and Appleton PE teacher, Mrs Hebron explaining: "We want to get everyone in the community involved and we hope we will have a junior team with us next year".