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The University
The University of Warwick consistently ranks among the top universities both globally and in the UK, and is also a member of The Russell Group of leading British universities. Located on the outskirts of Coventry in the West Midlands, the campus is home to over 26,000 students participating in undergraduate and postgraduate courses across 35 departments. It was placed 7th in the UK for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 4th in Europe for its teaching and learning environment, and across the University there is a strong emphasis on innovative research in all subjects. Students benefit highly from this well-established international reputation, as Warwick is the 3rd most targeted university by the top 100 employers and its graduates have the 6th highest earnings in the UK.
The University is home to students from 147 different countries, with all first-year undergraduates guaranteed accommodation on campus where they have easy access to learning facilities and various cafes and bars. Also located on campus is the new Sport and Wellness Hub opened just last year, which boasts a 230-station gym, 25m pool and dedicated rowing studio complete with air-conditioning, new Concept 2 rowing machines and mirrors. There are over 250 societies and 65 different sports to get involved in, alongside academic opportunities to extend your degree off-campus through a placement year, summer internship or year abroad in one of 40 different countries.
Find out more on how to apply here.
The Boat Club
The Boat Club is based just a 20-minute drive from central campus, or 15 minutes from Leamington Spa where most students live in their 2nd/3rd years. From here, the Boat Club has near-exclusive access to a 3km stretch of the River Avon, which provides flat, sheltered water for training.
UWBC is one of the largest sports teams on campus, and includes those who learnt to row/cox at the university and those with considerable prior experience at school and clubs. The club is predominantly focused on sweep rowing, but there are opportunities to scull, particularly in the summer regatta season.
The Novice program at Warwick is going from strength to strength, and allows anyone new to the sport the opportunity to learn in a fun and supportive environment, before going on to compete in the spring and summer. Meanwhile, Senior athletes compete year-round, and participate in a challenging strength and conditioning program with Warwick Sport High Performance coaches. Both Novices and Seniors also have access to the rowing studio for erg training, as well as circuit sessions once a week. Coxes are also optionally welcome to join these sessions.
Being entirely student-run, the club is incredibly tight-knit and enjoys weekly socials together to relax and unwind. These range from nights out in nearby Leamington, to more casual events such as bowling and dinners. Undoubtedly though the highlight of the year is the Annual Ball in February, alongside attending Henley Royal at the end of the academic year.
Coaching
In previous seasons, UWBC’s Senior Men were coached by Carl Willott, while the Senior Women’s squad was coached by Nathan O’Reilly. However, following the sad departure of these coaches, the Senior Men, Senior Women and Novice Men spent the 2019/20 season with a group of dedicated student coaches, all with prior experience rowing or coxing for the club. The Club is now in the process of recruiting a new Senior coach and Novice Men’s coach for 2020/21 season and onwards, following the graduation of these students.
Our Novice Women’s squad is coached by Phil Costen, who has been at Warwick since 2016 after coaching at both Surrey and Queen’s Belfast. He takes particular pride in the Novice program at Warwick, and has enjoyed introducing over 2,000 people to rowing since he began coaching.
Achievements
- 1st place in the Women’s Beginner 1k, the Men’s Beginner 1k and the Mixed Relay at BUCS Indoor Rowing Championships 2019 in Sheffield.
- A/B semi-finals at BUCS Regatta in 2019.
- Qualification for Henley Women’s Regatta in 2018.
- Top-80 placing at HoRR and Top-45 at WeHoRR..
- Wins at Quintin Head, Cambridge Winter Head, Huntington Head and Reading Regatta.
Facilities
- A complete fleet of boats for all squads, including Hudson and Filippi 8+’s for its senior squads as well as a shared Hudson 4+, another shared 4+ and a range of small boats for both sweep and sculling.
- A brand-new ergo suite in the Sports and Wellness Hub on campus.
- Access to Warwick Sport High Performance strength and conditioning training with a dedicated team of coaches in the new gym.
ANECDOTES FROM PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS
“UWBC is a strong community of fun and driven people. For me, it combines a supportive yet challenging atmosphere where you can push your rowing to a new level, and I can’t wait to see what heights we achieve in the years to come.”
Martha, Senior Women’s Captain
“Joining the club as a novice cox, UWBC’s friendly and encouraging atmosphere really made me feel part of the community straight away. The incredible guidance and training I gained through their novice programme has equipped me with invaluable skills and made me the confident cox I am today. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Boat Club continues to get even stronger in the future!”
Ami, Coxswain’s Captain
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