Alliance board member, Di Ellis CBE, has been awarded the 2012 World Rowing Distinguished Service to International Rowing award at the FISA World Rowing Awards ceremony.
The ceremony took place in Limerick earlier this month and Di was chosen for the award by the executive committee of FISA– the international federation for world rowing.
Di Ellis has been chairman of British Rowing since 1988 and is also the rowing representative on the National Olympic Committee and a member of the BOA board.
The International Federation has described British Rowing's chairman since 1989 as "the backbone of British Rowing".
Di has been part of eight organising committees for world events from 1986 to 2011 and has been a vital cog in the growing success of British Rowing culminating in the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 – a team effort that encompassed the world of sport and beyond.
On learning that she had received the award Di said:
"Whilst I personally feel extremely honoured to have received this award, tributes must also be paid to the outstanding team I have had the privilege to work alongside."
Kate Burt, British Rowing's CEO expressed her delight on hearing the news.
"For Di Ellis to receive this prestigious award from our International Federation caps a spectacular year for British Rowing. 2012 has seen the GB Team finish as top Rowing Nation at the London Games, motivating thousands of people to take up rowing and our membership has reached over 30,000 for the first time this month.
"The strapline for London 2012 was 'Inspire a Generation' and Di has inspired generations of rowers and supporters of our sport. The award acknowledges her immense contribution to sport both in the UK and internationally."
Also honoured recently was former Water and Recreation divisional chair Rosemary Napp, who was awarded the Rowing Medal of Honour for Outstanding Service to rowing.
This is the highest acolade that British Rowing’s bestows on any individual and is not presented lightly.
For more information about the Sport and Recreation Alliance's board members, read their biographies here.
