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UCBC newsletter TT22

The Headship winning W1 crew with their boat, Minnie Coleman

The first Univ Women’s Headship in history!

I thought we might as well just open with that, as it is kind of a big deal. If you were ever looking for an example of what is so great about this club, I would recommend that this Summer Eights would be a good place to start. W1 taking headship is undoubtedly one of the greatest achievements of the boat club and is a testament to the state that the club is in, with a fantastic program under head coach Jono, and our ever-improving fleet.

If asked to describe the ingredients required for winning a headship, one might naively suggest it requires a large helping of Blues, with a side of school rowers and perhaps one seat of college talent to finish. W1 proved that while a load of Blues might be nice, home-grown Univ talent is also more than up to the task. The amount that W1 achieved this year, off their own hard work, dedication and training, has been nothing short of a privilege to watch (and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t incredibly jealous). The headship also marked the end of outgoing President Hannah Farley’s decade long career at UCBC, and I don’t think there could’ve been a more Hannah way to end it.

While, spoiler alert, there was no headship to report on the men’s side this year, the same hard work and dedication was present. I’m confident that next season, we’ll finally have some bumps results to show for it, but I’ll leave it up to the Men’s Captain’s report to detail some of the highs and lows of this term.

Another great success of this season is the depth now present in the club, with UCBC both fielding and qualifying, 4 men’s and 4 women’s boats for Summer Eights. This, combined with the relatively low numbers of leaving members, means that the club is in a very exciting position for next year. I’m confident that our incoming Vice-Captains can replicate this year’s excellent novice intake, although, where we are going to do with all these new novices, I have no idea (10 boats in summer eights next year?).

As always, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported this club, in any capacity, over this last year (including but not limited to the: Senior Members, FoUCBC, Coaches and College). It has been an amazing season for all of us who have had the pleasure to enjoy it, and none of it would be possible without the support we receive, so on behalf of us all, thank you.

I think this is probably enough overviewing from me, please read on and enjoy the much better, more detailed and far more eloquent reports from our stellar new committee, as well as an inaugural report from the Martlet Club (details for joining should be available on the website, if not also elsewhere).

Andy Bridger – President 2022-2023

From the Women's Captain

From the Men's Captain

From the Women's Vice-Captains

From the Men's Vice-Captains

From the Social Secretary

The Martlet Club

Univ's University Rowers

UCBC Alumni Ironman in Memory of James Townley

On Friday 21 September 2012, our dear friend James Townley died whilst serving in Afghanistan on his third tour. James was a much loved son, brother and friend and approaching 10 years since his passing we all still miss him terribly. James read Engineering and Computer Science at Univ before joining PWC and then the Army where he was commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers.

All those that knew James will know how much he loved his sport and competition. He enjoyed a wide variety of sports including rowing, skiing, mountain biking, kite surfing and sailing. He was exceptionally good at all of them too!! During his four years at Univ he rowed for UCBC and inspired a whole generation of rowers at the club.

James had entered an Ironman and was due to compete himself after returning from his tour in Afghanistan. To mark the 10 year anniversary of his passing UCBC old members Neil Slinger and Pete Smith have decided to compete in the Barcelona Ironman on 2 October 2022 in his memory.

Upon consultation with his family, Neil and Pete have decided to raise money and awareness for the charity Combat Stress. They are the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. For over a century, they’ve helped former servicemen and women deal with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They’re on a mission to raise awareness that invisible injuries can be just as hard to cope with as physical ones. So when a veteran is having a tough time, they’re there to help them tackle the past and take on the future.

Neil and Pete have setup a GoFundMe page for anyone interested in making a donation – it will be updated further over the coming weeks.

More updates to come including training preparations as they build up to the event.

Visit the new UCBC website at univboatclub.com

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Published: 12 July 2022

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