Graham Dean - Derby Rowing Club
For 53-year-old Graham Dean, rowing isn't just a pastime, but a way of life.
For 38 years he has been a member of Derby Rowing Club, which relies entirely on volunteers, and he is one of a number of local people who gives up several hours a week to ensure it continues to thrive.
Having begun rowing as a schoolboy, Graham has always been involved in club life, as a committee member, serving behind the bar, helping to organise social functions, and more recently spends more of his time coaching other members - just as he was coached by existing members when he joined.
"The sport depends on volunteers," said Graham. "Rowing is one of the last amateur sports and only top internationals like Steve Redgrave get support. At club level it is purely amateur and relies on people bringing new people into the sport.
"I was coached by club members, and now I have taken up coaching myself. I enrolled on the UK Coaching Certificate Level 2 course earlier this year - at most clubs, people have received the benefit of coaching themselves and want to put something back.
"Sometimes we also find that parents or partners who have never rowed themselves get interested and become involved in volunteering, especially on the social side."
As well as coaching, Graham is club secretary, a role that includes attending committee meetings, liaising with the sport's governing body, and general day-to-day administration, as well as organising the annual Boxing Day races.
Graham spends at least four days a week at the club, and on a typical week heads straight to the club on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening after finishing his day job as a marketing manager, as well as spending Saturday and Sunday mornings at the club.
He said: "Even at club level, rowing is very competitive and it is more a way of life than an activity - athletes need to train every day to be successful.
"I go straight to the rowing club after work and do my training or coaching and get home about 7.30pm. You get used to it and fit it in. Some time is also spent on planning and putting together training schedules.
"It may seem a lot, but it's probably less than many people spend watching TV!"
The entire club is run by its members, with various roles such as president, treasurer, captain, facilities manager and bar manager all being carried out by volunteers.
Graham said: "There is no reward for any of us other than the satisfaction of doing it.
"We have a great facility with lots of resources, knowledge and equipment. Anyone who is disappointed with commercial gyms should go and see what local amateur sports clubs can offer.
"At our club everyone knows everyone else and there is a lot of team spirit with everyone working together for a common goal."
To find out more about the club, go to www.derbyrowingclub.com
Pictured above is Graham (left) coaching Alex Fedorov