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The five-times champion was back at Leander Club, where he trained throughout the majority of his Olympic success, to host a gala evening to celebrate ‘Join Leander’s Journey’ – a series of events designed to raise corporate funds to support the club’s ambitious rowing programmme.

Sir Steve was introduced by Mark Banks, the club’s chief coach and director of rowing, who paid tribute to those local and national organisations who had already come on board to lay the foundations of the next two Olympic cycles to 2020. They include Gant, the premium international clothing brand, as well as Brakspears Brewery and also Tesco, whose combined support helps fill the gap between members’ subscriptions and the cost of maintaining one of the most ambitious rowing programmes at any club in the world.

Another of Leander’s multi-medalled champions, Sir Matthew Pinsent, was also present, along with many of the club’s current world and Olympic medallists, all of whom took a keen interest in Sir Steve’s presentation, in which he took questions from the floor about his life, his career, and the sort of focus and determination required to reach the very top.

In answer to a question from Olympic silver medallist Alex Partridge Sir Steve gave perhaps the most telling advice of the evening to next year’s Olympic hopefuls.

“The important thing is not to come away from the regatta thinking ’if only I’d done this, if only we’d done that’. You have to focus on giving your all, and if you can finish your race in the knowledge that you have given absolutely everything in the pursuit of your goal, then that’s all that really matters” he said.

29 June 2011: Leander has announced another major milestone in its development programme Join Leander’s Journey. The most historic, prestigious and successful rowing club in the world has formed a new partnership with GANT, the premium international clothing brand, which has become gold sponsor of Leander’s campaign to develop the club’s international athletes of the future.

The announcement was made at Somerset House, London, on the eve of Henley Royal Regatta and included a guest appearance by the club’s rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent.

'We are delighted to announce the partnership between GANT and Join Leander's Journey. We feel that our brand values are a good fit with Leander and we look forward to developing our relationship over the coming years ‘ said Gant’s Managing Director, Tracey Stone.

Founded in the USA in 1949 GANT is proud of its association with the Ivy League universities, many of whom are regular visitors to Henley.

“We are inspired by our East Coast heritage and all that it represents, including that most graceful and elegant of all sports – rowing” she continued.

Sir Matthew Pinsent shared some details of his own Leander journey with the assembled media. “Leander is, and always has been, a reason to excel – as a Leander athlete you live the tradition of winning excellence” he said.

“Join Leander’s Journey is all about the next generation – this new relationship with GANT means a lot to Leander now and it means a great deal to GANT as we go forward together” he added.

"Leander Club’s development academy of high performance athletes is the constant focus of our attention, and demands excellence on and off the water. Our new relationship with Gant offers a perfect synergy as we continue to support our athletes in their quest to realise their dreams" said Jeremy Moore, chairman of the Leander sponsorship group.

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