The Committee
Team Captain/Manager: Paul Robinson
Like the British Dragons, time flies, and it’s been over 7 years since I joined the team and started dragon boating. With every passing year, I enjoy being part of the team and taking part in this sport more and more. This is due in no small part to the fact that the British team has such great people and that our paddling skills and technique are constantly improving. I’m proud and honoured to lead both the committee and the team, it’s a tough role with tough decisions to be made, however always with the interests of the team at heart. The British Dragons is one of the most culturally diverse teams on the water, with some 16 nationalities currently paddling with us. We have won many medals in Singapore and overseas, and have gained the respect of other teams both for our paddling prowess and team values. We live up to our motto Party Hard, Paddle Harder! which we followed through our 10th anniversary year and will continue beyond…
If I’m not dragon boating then I’m usually travelling & working for www.privatehomesandvillas.com which allows me to visit fantastic holiday rental homes across Asia. I also like a party and can often be found mixing my drinks (why-o-why?) and misbehaving with friends around town!
Men’s Captain: Andy Langton
As a Project Manager by day, this is eclipsed once I hear the call for “Paddles Up” and put on the dragon boat battle dress (and I’m not talking men in skirts, though it has been known). As a proud member of the British team since 2007 I have won medals and friends and had some fantastic times outside of training and racing. The team is a genuinely friendly and approachable bunch of people that will welcome you!
menscaptain@britishdragonboat.com
Ladies’ Captain: Nicky Marsh
I’ve been a proud paddler with the great British team since January 2009. My husband and I started paddling with the Brits just 2 months after moving to Singapore and have had THE BEST time ever since. The team has such a great spirit which I love being a part of.
I am proud and honoured to have been voted in as Ladies Captain this year. I look forward to everything that the role brings and can feel already that 2011 is going to be GREAT for the British Dragons Ladies! And for the guys too, of course 
In my spare time I work for an expat women’s association.
ladiescaptain@britishdragonboat.com
Coach: Jason Chen
If you know the number of years in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, then that is the number of birthdays I have spent in the wonderful sport of Dragon Boat racing. The moment I was exposed to the sport, I started racing competitively and was forever imprinted with the dragon boat tagline “eat, sleep, breathe, dream, S%$#”. I started in a polytechnic with a strong racing background, after which I was invited to paddle in an elite veteran’s club, before finally representing the Singapore Armed Forces (SAFSA) and wearing the national colours. Once I had achieved all I felt I could from paddling, I branched out into coaching. At the same time I assisted in setting up a Dragon Boat company. At that moment my life took a turning point giving me the opportunity to see Dragon Boat in a totally different light. Through this phase, I was exposed to organising international dragon boat races, managing dragon boat products from all over the world, conducting coaching seminars and corporate team building events. This interesting path made me understand a lot more about the sport than anyone could ever have taught me. I have learnt that our wonderful sport of dragon boat racing not only brings people together, but it changes their lives as well.
My inspiration comes from; the teams I coach, people like you reading this, people who never thought they would want to get down, dirty & wet at the Kallang River (instead of staying home and watching TV). It’s only when you decide to be there in the boat that you will realise how much you have achieved in just one training session. You train, you race and you fight hard with the team behind you.
Out of it all I can assure you one thing – training is not easy, but when I hand you your first medal you know you have made the right choice!
Secretary: Phil Morgan
I’ve lived in Asia for over fifteen years working in Broadcasting and Digital Media. I joined the British Dragons in 2009 and despite the fact that it was my very first experience of team sports I soon grew to love paddling with the team. Since then I’ve participated in many races in Singapore and even ventured to overseas events in Boracay, Okinawa and Putrajaya. It’s certainly exhilarating to be part of a crew on race days and great when your efforts are rewarded with a medal too! The British team is very welcoming to all newcomers (of any nationality, shape or size!) and it’s a great way to get fit, push your limits a little and make many new friends.
When I’m not Dragon Boating I enjoy volunteering, cooking, cycling, collecting books and travel.
secretary@britishdragonboat.com
Treasurer: Melanie Highfield
Following my arrival in Singapore in July 2000 my only regret is not having found the team sooner; I did not try dragon boating until 2004! I have been an active member on the Committee for 5 years. In between dragon boating I manage to fit in a love of red wine, eating out, painting, cooking, catching up with friends, cinema and travel. My more serious role (well the one that pays the bills anyway) is as a Financial Controller for an advertising agency.
treasurer@britishdragonboat.com
Assistant Treasurer: Mifie Gunawan
I first stepped into a dragon boat in Sept 2007 and still very much enjoy dragon boating (in fact I also paddle with the Pink Spartans when needed). I joined the committee after 4 months with the team as the assistant treasurer and I can be seen at the weekend shouting “ten dollars, ten dollars, pay now!”
In my spare time I love to travel, eat and go to the cinema (horror movies are my favourite!).
treasurer@britishdragonboat.com
Social Secretary I: Pam Ooms
I started 2010 with the New Year resolution to stop lazing around and actually get some exercise. This resulted with me ending up in a British dragon boat on a Saturday afternoon and I nearly died…
Determined not to fail yet another resolution in the first week of January, I forced myself back to training the following week.
A year later I can say that was a pretty good decision. I have made some great friends, paddled many races both in Singapore and abroad (Malaysia, Japan and Thailand), won medals!! and of course had some great parties as well. Most of the time I’m no longer dying in the boat, even on Sunday mornings.
In 2011, I started the year as Social secretary of the team. I together with Amelia will make sure that the team continues to PARTY HARD! by organising many beach BBQ’s and a some great (after race) parties to celebrate our medals to be won this year!!
Now all you need to do is make sure to Paddle Harder
Social Secretary II: Amelia Austin
I joined the British Dragons in 2010 and within a year of paddling got roped into joining the committee. I do have the best job going though. Along with Pam I help organise the team’s social events to make sure we live up to our motto of party hard, paddle harder! We regularly have BBQs on the beach, post race celebrations and fun paddles. It’s no accident that we’re sponsored by a microbrewery and there’s always something for everyone in our social calendar.
Sponsorship: Michael Lim
Dragon boating never crossed my mind even back in school days as I had the impression that the people in it were a snobbish and obnoxious bunch. (Actually I think I was just jealous of how good they looked). It wasn’t until I paddled for my company in 2007 that I realised my impression was totally wrong and I slowly grew fond of the sport and decided to join a proper club.
I came to find out about the British Dragons through their coach Jason and that’s how I ended up paddling for the team. It has now been a good 3 years plus and the team’s paddling experience only gets better. I am really proud to be part of this ridiculously vibrant team and watching it grow more competitive both physically and mentally every year is just phenomenal!
When I am not dragon boating, I can also be found doing other sports races for the sake of nice goodie bags and finishers t-shirts.
sponsorship@britishdragonboat.com
Kit & Equipment: Kenny Bella
I joined dragon boat 2 years after my arrival in Singapore. It was at a time when I was getting bored with Singapore and was thinking about moving to another country. Joining the team changed my mind! After 3 years with the team I am still enjoying the activity. I love travelling and eating out as well as doing new things. When I am not dragon boating, I work in a private education institution.
International & Barbarian Rep: Ian Jones
After seeing the British Dragon Boat Team compete at Boat Quay in the Singapore River Regatta I knew that this was the team for me. They were very welcoming and spent time training and improving my technique until I was able to represent the team both locally and internationally. Now in my second year of paddling with the British Dragons it is my great pleasure to be part of the committee and serve my fellow paddlers.
To me, being International Representative for the British Dragons, is an opportunity to be the voice of the Team to the larger community, keeping both our paddlers and others informed of all dragon boat activities at home and abroad. In this capacity, I also arrange the team members entry into overseas competitions ensuring everyone gets to represent the British Dragons or Singapore Barbarians abroad.
international@britishdragonboat.com
Marketing & Advertising: Caroline Holt
It’s all Mr and Mrs Robinson’s fault!! It was my encounter with Paul’s parents at a work event in Xian that led me to the British Dragon Boat team. Having arrived in Singapore only two weeks earlier I was up for a challenge and keen to meet new people, so quickly found myself in a dragon boat one Saturday afternoon. It’s not a sport I’d ever imagined enjoying, but the team spirit and welcoming attitude of everyone involved is just incredible. My work as Marketing Manager for the Pacific Division of ABS sees me travel all over Asia, but when I’m not travelling I can usually be found with a paddle in my hand!!!
marketing@britishdragonboat.com
Back Room Boy: Phil Hayward
In early 2009 I was looking for something social and sporty (in that order) to do on a weekend and was fortunate enough to stumble upon dragon boating. Since then I have made many friends, competed in races around Asia and surprised myself with new found fitness.
Away from dragon boating and its website you may find me working on the internets or attempting photography.
