Rooney Massara
Rooney Massara (born 22 January 1943 in Sutton, Surrey) is a British rower and sailor. Massara was educated at St Paul's School (London) and the University of London. He is married with three children.
Member of Leander Club (https://www.leander.co.uk/) & (Glyndebourne http://www.glyndebourne.com/).
Oarsman. Member of winning crew in Wyfold Challenge Cup (1967) & Grand Challenge Cup (1971) Henley Royal Regatta. Winning Tideway Scullers crew in the Head of the River Race for VIII's 3 times. Runner up British Amateur Sculling Championship, Wingfield Sculls 1968. Member of Great Britain rowing team 1969–1972. Represented Great Britain at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich (Munich Olympics – semi-finalist) ). Selector for British Rowing team 1973 to 1976 – Chairman in 1976. Captain of Tideway Scullers School Rowing Club 1969–72 .
Sailed in Flying Dutchman (dinghy) Olympic class dingy with Tim Lester at the helm 1973–1976 – shortlisted for sailing team for 1976 Montreal Olympics but not selected.
Appeared in a short "cameo" role in the Beatles film "A Hard Day's Night (film)" – he was the sculler in the water in the scene where Ringo Starr was walking along the towpath at Kew – very short clip – "come in no. 7 your time is up".
His business career started at British Motor Corporation in 1966 moving to British Leyland HQ Berkeley Square, London, in 1968 and then with British Leyland International. Export Manager Dunlop Sports Company (Dunlop Slazenger) 1977–1981. Marketing Manager Citroen Cars UK 1981–1984. Director JCB Sales (J C Bamford) 1984–1995. Joined JCB as Marketing Director and then ran their Middle East Africa operations and from 1992 to 1994 their Asia Pacific operation based in Singapore. Director & General Manager Stramit International 1994–1998.
In 1999 bought, with his wife Pat, the award winning Holiday Cottage complex, Beech Farm Cottages , in Wrelton North Yorkshire. Won the Yorkshire Holiday Cottage of the Year Award in 1993 & 1994. Sold the cottages in 2017 and retired. Hobbies : 4 pet Llamas, creating public footpaths, a 1973 MG MGB roadster.