Oxford Brookes Boat Club caught up in controversy
Leaked online material linked with the Boat Club sparks an official investigation by the university.
Oxford Brookes Boat Club has come under fire after a leaked document appeared online, seemingly evidencing coaching staff’s inappropriate criticisms towards members of the rowing team.
The unverified document, which has been described and reported by the BBC as a “toughness sheet”, has the Boat Club labeling rowers with criticisms such as “Watching you is like watching paint dry” and “Get a haircut. Toughen up. Get serious.”
The Sun also reports that the document ranked members’ rowing abilities by using inappropriate innuendo.
In a statement to us, Oxford Brookes University said it “is committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful culture in every aspect of University life.” The statement continued: “The material that has been circulated online has appalled us.”
The university, whose rowers brought home both Gold and Bronze medals from the Paris Olympics earlier this year, said they “encourage” members of the Boat Club to “come forward and report any concerns they may have to the University.”
Oxford Brookes University has teamed up with British Rowing to investigate members’ concerns which have been raised since the document was leaked online.