There is a little known piece of University property in a playing field on the banks of the River Hull. This is the University Boathouse, a small, squat building, and not much to look at, but for a hardy bunch of students it can seem like they spend more time in this building than in their own homes. Every year a new group of eager young men and women, most of who have only seen a rowing boat on
ITV during the Boat Race, start on their journey to become University of Hull Rowers. These complete beginners soon learn that to compete against the big rowing universities of the North East, Durham and Newcastle, will take dedication and commitment. However, each year these new rowers are
given the opportunity to join the oldest sports club in the University – so old the Boat Club pre-dates the Athletics Union – and compete for the University.
This year has been a bumper year for the Boat Club with 30 returning members and 50 new members wishing to contend for the opportunity row in a University of Hull boat at the biggest race of the year, our Boat Race, BUSA Regatta.
Following the success of the past couple of years, with many wins at races all over the North of England and silver at BUSA Regatta for Emily Walzcak and Carrie Fuller, there are high hopes the year ahead. Unfortunately, the excitement for the coming year is now mixed with some trepidation. The reason for this has to do with that little known piece of University property, The Boathouse. It needs a great deal of TLC, and with no toilets, hot water or showers, the University is rightly reluctant to
let students participate in a water sport without these basic requirements, and can not spend the £20,000 needed to bring up to standard for the benefit of the 80 rowers. So as of January 2009, the doors to the Boathouse may close forever, bringing to an end 150 years of rowing on the River Hull.
At first glance the outlook for the Boat Club may seem dire. However, this has spurred the Athletic Union (AU), the Alumni Association, the University and the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) into action, working in partnership with the Boat Club committee to find a secure future for the club. A number of options are now being explored. The first, supported by the ARA, is to open a new public rowing club in Hull, based in the old University Boathouse. The University Boat Club would, at the beginning, run this new club, although this would put extra pressure on the Boat Club committee. The second is to take the Boat Club members to another rowing club, based in Lincolnshire, where the club would row under a new name except in BUSA and BUCS events.
Staying or moving will both provide unique challenges during the coming months. However, one thing is for sure – Hull University Boat Club is here to stay and there will be rowing offered as a sport at the University for the next 65 years. The Boat Club is always looking for enthusiastic new members; if you would like to try rowing please contact Laura Bennett (VP Sports and Leisure) in the AU office or
contact the Boat Club President Tom Crossland by email on trcrossland@bluebottle.com.

Tom Crossland

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I started work in late June, and have been in Hull throughout the summer ready to make this a great year for sports at Hull.

Here at Hull we have a fantastic range of sports to get you active, with over 50 clubs ranging from the more adventurous such as sub aqua, sky-diving and ten pin bowling, to the more traditional such as Hockey, Football and Netball, so there is no excuse for you not to join and get involved in the AU!

Getting involved in the Athletic Union is one of the best ways to make the most of your time here in Hull. Not only are you keeping fit but you are making friends and many a memory along the way. Aside from keeping fit and getting active, we also have a great range of social events throughout the year, where you get a great opportunity to meet new people, and get to know other people throughout the AU.  We have an AU ball which usually takes place in November, a naked calendar shoot to help raise funds for the AU, sports tour over the Easter holiday where we go to destinations such as Spain or Italy, and not forgetting of course the weekly Wednesday AU night in the Johnny Mac and Asylum, which is the biggest night at the Union.

This year I have lots of exciting plans for the AU. We are hosting Varsity this year on the 8th October, so I have been working hard to ensure that this is the best Varsity yet, and so that we can win it! There are about 12 different sports taking place, and it will all be hosted over at the Sports and Fitness Centre, both on the fields and pitches and indoors. I have organised a limited edition t-shirt for those spectators who want to come along and get in the varsity spirit. These will be available in the AU office around Varsity time.

I am also in the process of creating more intra-mural leagues with the help of Steve Curtis, our new sports development manager. We are starting up new leagues in netball and ladies football, so that there is something for the girls to get involved in. Details will be up soon so go and have a look and create a team with your friends.

I have also been busy working on plans with Scarborough. We are holding a big sports day on the beach so that freshers can get involved with the teams, and to help raise the profile of sport at Scarborough Union. This year I will also be in Scarborough every other Wednesday to support the teams on their BUCS match days (formerly BUSA), and the Wednesdays that I am not there I will be out and encouraging other people to come and watch all the matches that we have here in the day.

Aside from all the new plans there is plenty of the same going on, with BUCS matches every Wednesday to get involved in and watch, the AU Ball and naked calendar shoot, and not forgetting preparation for Tour next Easter!

My office is located on the first floor of the Union, so come and pop along if you have any queries.

Laura “Benno” Bennett

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