New management for GB BCP

The BDA has appointed a new management team for the Great Britain Breast Cancer Paddlers (BCP) squad.

The team, led by head coach John Percival, will guide the squad through its preparations for the 2027 World Championships in Hong Kong.

John has been involved in dragon boating for more than 30 years, as a paddler, coach and helm. His coaching experience includes working with crews at national and international level, including teams competing at World and European Championships. He brings a passion for helping paddlers develop their technique, confidence and teamwork, alongside a belief that every member of the boat has an important contribution to make.

John will be supported by Anthony Roberts as assistant coach, with Denise Percival as squad admin manager, assisted by Sonia Roberts.

Anthony took up dragon boating in 2022, joining Amathus shortly after his wife Sonia became part of the Pool of Life breast cancer survivors' club. He began working towards his coaching accreditation in 2023, with the aim of supporting Pool of Life and has since coached a range of crews from charity and corporate teams to competitive crews.

Anthony has paddled domestically and internationally and is committed to giving paddlers the freedom to blossom and to enjoy the journey to Hong Kong. For Anthony, the paddlers' success is the coaching team's success.

Together, the team will be responsible for developing and preparing the BCP squad, supporting athletes throughout the campaign to help them prepare to compete at the highest possible level.

The team welcomes expressions of interest from eligible breast cancer paddlers who would like to develop their skills and be considered for the Great Britain squad. John says: "Our aim is to provide a supportive environment and a fair, transparent approach to selection as we prepare for the 2027 World Championships in Hong Kong."

To register your interest or find out more about upcoming British National Training Squad (BNTS) sessions, please email gb.bcp@thebda.org.uk.

We wish John, the new management team and the GB BCP squad every success as preparations get underway for 2027.