Concerns over university boat club 'toughness sheet'

A university has said it is "appalled" after seeing material online relating to the coaching of its rowing team.

A Whatsapp message and pictures of a so-called "toughness sheet" have sparked complaints about Oxford Brookes University Boat Club.

British Rowing said it was aware of the issues raised and was looking into concerns around the club's coaching practices.

It also said it was working with the club and university to "understand and address" the concerns.

British Rowing, the governing body responsible for the sport, said "creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the rowing community is our priority".

It said anyone with concerns was "strongly" encouraged to "speak up" and report them to club welfare officers or the body's governance team.

It would not give further details, though the BBC has seen an unverified WhatsApp message from a senior member, which references a "toughness sheet".

The message asks someone to "own up" for sharing a photo of it online, otherwise they will be "tracked down".

The BBC has also viewed a copy of a sheet, also unverified, which includes criticisms next to rowers' names.

Examples include "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 said the institution was "committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful culture in every aspect of university life".

They added: "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 has a large base on the River Thames in Wallingford, has achieved notable success in recent decades, including medals at the Paris Games.

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