Oxford Brookes University Boat Club Under Scrutiny Over Coaching Material

Oxford Brookes University has expressed its dismay, stating it is “appalled,” following the discovery of online content concerning its rowing team’s coaching methods. Complaints regarding the Oxford Brookes University Boat Club have arisen due to a WhatsApp message and images of a document referred to as a “toughness sheet.” British Rowing, the sport’s governing body, acknowledged its awareness of the issues brought forward and confirmed it is investigating the coaching practices at the club. The organization also indicated it is collaborating with both the club and the university to “understand and address” these concerns. British Rowing emphasized that “creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the rowing community is our priority.” It further stated that individuals with concerns are “strongly” encouraged to “speak up” and report them to either club welfare officers or the governance team of the body. While British Rowing declined to provide additional specifics, the BBC has viewed an unverified WhatsApp message, reportedly from a senior member, which mentions a “toughness sheet.” This message instructs someone to “own up” to posting a photograph of the document online, warning that failure to do so would result in them being “tracked down.” The BBC has additionally examined an unverified copy of a sheet that contains critical remarks alongside the names of rowers. These examples include phrases such as “Put the pies down,” “Get a haircut. Toughen up. Get serious,” “Stop asking so many questions,” and “Watching you row is like watching paint dry.” A spokesperson for Oxford Brookes University affirmed the institution’s dedication to “maintaining an inclusive and respectful culture in every aspect of university life.” The spokesperson further stated: “The material that has been circulated online has appalled us. We are taking the concerns that have been raised about coaching practices at Oxford Brookes University Boat Club extremely seriously, and we are working with British Rowing to investigate and address those concerns. We are writing to members of the boat club to provide support and encourage them to come forward and report any concerns they may have to the university.” The club, which operates from a substantial facility on the River Thames in Wallingford, has garnered significant achievements over recent decades, including earning medals at the Paris Games. For updates, BBC Oxfordshire can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC, with all rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites and provides information regarding its approach to external linking.