And just like that we find ourselves well into the swing of the 2023/24 rowing season. Whilst there hasn’t been much in the way of competition this season due to event cancellations, opportunities will be forthcoming as we approach the business end of head season with haste. That being said, though we can expect certain crews to remain at the pinnacle of the men’s student rowing scene, there are others that will be looking to return to the fore and challenge the existing victors. Across sweep, and sculling disciplines, I’ll highlight a number of crews from each that will contest them strongly.
Oxford Brookes University BC
You can’t mention student men’s rowing without talking about Oxford Brookes University BC. Having performed at the highest level for the best part of a decade, any club with an ambition for the top spot in student rowing will share a common adversary in their Head Coach Henry Bailhache-Webb and Director of Rowing Richard Spratley. Having won each of the student events at Henley Royal Regatta, Oxford Brookes will be looking to not only continue, but expand their dominance throughout the domestic and international club competitions. It’s testament to the development of their programme that Brookes continue to return year on year defying the gauntlet that is placed before them.
Newcastle University BC
Coming off of the back of a difficult few seasons, it may seem absurd to mention Newcastle University BC in the same breath as Oxford Brookes. There is, however, a glimmer of hope for those who don the Blue Star. Rutherford Head of the River, one of the few races to have gone ahead so far this season, displayed with good reason why Newcastle University deserve to be mentioned. Beating Molesey BC to victory, along with Edinburgh University BC and Durham University BC, it was a statement of intent from Head Coach Angelo Savarino and his men’s programme. Looking to return to their former heights and challenge Oxford Brookes, Newcastle University appear to have found some early speed that they will hope to replicate on the tideway and beyond as the season progresses.
Queen’s University Belfast BC
Queen’s University Belfast BC, Ireland’s sole representative in the BUCS scene, continues to excel in all aspects of the sculling discipline. Though domestic, there is something that could be perceived as distinctively international about their competition with rivals Bath University BC, home to the Great Britain performance development academy. Undoubtedly well-drilled, Queens University Belfast continue to perform strongly as demonstrated by their high placings in the Victor Ludorum at BUCS events. Unlikely to return to the national scene before BUCS Head, they will do so with the aim of upsetting the best that England has to offer once more.
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