An ugly feud has erupted ahead of the Boat Race after three Cambridge rowers were blocked from competing amid what has been branded “a desperate ploy from Oxford to gain an upper hand in the most slimy way”.
Three post-graduate teacher training students have been ruled ineligible for the men’s and women’s races less than a month before the annual showdown on the Thames between Britain’s oldest universities.
The decision has provoked dismay and no little fury among current and former Cambridge Blues, including reigning Olympic lightweight double sculls champion Imogen Grant, who won the women’s race in 2017, 2018 and 2022 during what has been a seven-year winning streak for her university. Cambridge have also won five of the last six men’s races.
Grant posted on Instagram: “Oxford have barred PGCE students this year from Racing the Boat Race.
“As you can imagine, I’m seething. This is an insult to teachers everywhere and a desperate ploy from Oxford to gain an upper hand in the most slimy way.
“I don’t believe this reflects on the current Oxford squad, who have also had to train among this uncertainty all year. I believe this is entirely down to select individuals amongst the alumni who have a narrow, outdated view of who rows boat races.”
Cambridge alumni and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Cath Bishop wrote: “Utter madness in the Boat Race world… and a new low in relations between Oxford and Cambridge boat clubs. A crying shame for any student who has trained their heart out to be a pawn in the petty disputes that the clubs consistently fight in order to get one up on each other. The best students should race to create the fastest boats and fight it out on the water!”
The inclusion of former Olympians in The Boat Race has been a familiar sight in the past, with James Cracknell, the 2000 and 2004 coxless four gold medalist, becoming the oldest participant in the men’s event in 2019 at the age of 46, 13 years after his competitive retirement.
The three Cambridge rowers ruled out are Matt Heywood – who won an Under-23 men’s eight world title in 2022 – as well as 2023 and 2024 women’s reservist Molly Foxell and lightweight cox Kate Cowley.
The decision, which appears to be a move to prevent elite-level ‘ringers’ from participating, has sparked a major row over what Annamarie Phelps, the chair of Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC), told Telegraph Sport was the interpretation of a long-standing Joint Agreement with Oxford University Boat Club (OUBC) that states those competing in The Boat Race had to be studying for a “degree level qualification”.
That followed a statement issued on the matter by Phelps, who is also a former Olympic rower and chair of British Rowing and a current vice-chair of the British Olympic Association.
She said: “Cambridge University Boat Club is deeply disappointed by the news that our PGCE students have been classified as ineligible to race in The Boat Race. There is no question academically about the standing of the PGCE course, which is highly valued and operates at a postgraduate level. This decision comes despite the University’s advice on the PGCE’s standing and despite the precedent set by PGCE students from both Oxford and Cambridge being allowed to race in preceding years.
“Following The Boat Race this year, it is in everyone’s interest for the two Clubs to sit down and agree the eligibility criteria for future races.
“We would also like to clarify that the Joint Agreement only pertains to whom can race in The Boat Races, so all affected students are still eligible to row in other events this year. The Club is supporting affected athletes through this difficult time and is considering ways to honour their achievements.
“We stand firm in our commitment to all Club members who studied for the PGCE and we would like to reassure our alumni that their race results and resulting ‘Blue’ still stands. We thank all previous PGCE students for managing to balance significant academic commitments alongside the rigorous training needed to compete in The Boat Race.”
Heywood, a 2022 World Championship silver medalist, wrote on Instagram: “I began this year with the genuine and legitimate aim of competing in the 2025 Boat Races based on precedent as recent as last year that PGCE students have raced for both clubs. OUBC challenged the eligibility of PGCE students this year and the subsequent decision has ruled myself and two other athletes ineligible.
“It’s safe to say that this decision doesn’t align with any values of sportsmanship or race spirit that I have known in rowing, and that I feel disheartened by the wider implications of this decision on my future vocation.
“I applied to the PGCE because I am passionate about inspiring and supporting young people. I want to be a teacher. I’m excited to start that career in September and am looking forward to what the future holds.
“This was meant to be my last race. 15 year old me, who grew up by the Thames and learned to row at his local club, could never have dreamed of how fortunate he would be to experience some incredible moments thanks to this sport. It’s a shame it’s ending this way, but I have a lot to be grateful for.
“To the current squads at CUBC, thank you for your unwavering support. It has blown me away. We, as a team, can hold our heads high, continue to have fun, and leave any competition to where it belongs, on the water. You are all epic people and Kate, Molly and I will be behind you on the day whatever happens.”
The Boat Race Company and Oxford University Boat Club have been approached for comment.
