Henley triumphs
Brookes has become a regular winner of the top events at the most important regattas and head races, including the iconic Henley Royal Regatta
11/4/20241 min read
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club won no less than 13 titles at Henley Royal Regatta across the last two years. In 2024, that included the three university events AND the three most presitigious 'open' sweep boat titles, the Grand, Remenham and Stewards' Cups. No other club has aver achieved that feat - but how has Brookes achieved this level of success?
One key factor is the Brookes culture and how the club has combined intense internal competitiveness alongside strong club spirit. Every training session and race feeds into the relative ranking and hierarchy of athletes within the club, and crew selection for major events is made late in the day. So everyone is trying to push themselves up the ranking into a better crew. (Except those at the top, who simply want to hang on to what they have got!) That ‘push’ from below drives everybody onwards and upwards. (Photograph ©Peter Smith)