SUMMARY
The University of Bristol Boat Club are seeking donations towards purchase of a secondhand pair for our aspiring GB athletes to train and trial towards a place at the European and World Championships in 2024 and 2025.
Who are WE?
One of Bristol’s largest sports clubs, UBBC is also one of the UK’s best academic rowing programmes. Most recently, the club were champions in the intermediate category (Open 8+) at BUCS Regatta in 2022 and broke into the championship category in 2023, winning silver at BUCS Head (Open 4+).
OUR story
An inclusive and welcoming club, the programme caters for everyone from complete newcomers to rowing to serious student athletes. More recently, however, the club has pushed to provide greater support and access for athletes looking to compete on an international level.
Selection for the Team GB rowing squad relies on an open trials system to select crews for events including European & World Championships as well as the Olympics. Most recently we have had success in supporting Robbie Prosser (BSc Anatomy, 2023) to selection for the U23 European and World Championship Open 4+. As part of the latter he won a gold medal for GB with a record-breaking time.
The trial system, however, requires athletes to race in single (1x) and double/pair crews (2x/2-). Practically speaking, this limits the number of athletes we are able to support through trials, as we have only one single boat in our fleet suitable for training and racing at an elite level. This is despite our squad having expanded in terms of size and ambition over the past couple of years, with an increasing number meeting the timed erg standards dictating eligibility for national trials.
With this in mind, we are looking to purchase a suitable pair (2-) that will allow two more athletes to train and compete in trials. Not only will this increase UBBC and, as a result, the University of Bristol’s rowing profile, but the increased availability of boats will also allow other senior athletes to train and compete in more boat classes at BUCS and Henley Royal Regatta qualifiers.
Where will the money go?
We are looking to raise £2,500 to contribute towards an estimated cost of £10,000 - £12,000 to a nearly new pair boat.
We hope that the rest of the cost will be met by other regular club fundraising activities but we would welcome any donations past our target to help us purchase the boat sooner.
We are well aware that rowing is an expensive sport, and that many of our athletes are only able to participate with the generosity of our alumni and the University. Any funds raised in addition to our pair boat cost will be used towards our commitment to improving access to all levels of the sport for students from all backgrounds.
Rewards
£100 and up: a sticker of your name or your company/organisation can be placed on the boat we eventually purchase, and a personalised thank-you card from the squad
£250 and up: all of the above, a metal Nonesuch Rowing Foundation pin and an invitation to alumni and supporter events.
£1,000 and up: all of the above, and we will name the boat after the lead donor (or any name they would like to nominate as a substitute)
Find us here
Follow us on X (Twitter) and Instagram at @uobboatclub to follow our campaign and the squad's season.
Help us succeed!
Even if you aren't able to support us financially, please do share our campaign on your socials and to your family and friends to get the buzz going.
