THE BOATHOUSE
We are delighted to announce that building work is well underway for our first ever Boathouse. After years of renting facilities, we are excited to be building HSOBC’s Boathouse, wet dock and boating pontoons in Long Wittenham in Oxfordshire and our aim is to be rowing there from September 2023.
Rowing was first introduced at Headington School in 1991 by Tom Collins and John Broadhurst. Since then the Boat Club has grown to include all years in the school and become one of the largest, most admired and successful school Boat Clubs in the UK.
HSOBC - Why do we need a Boathouse?
HSOBC - Why do we need a Boathouse?
Henley Royal Regatta - Join us for Drinks!
Caroline Jordan, Headmistress, will be hosting Drinks and Canapés for all those with a connection to Headington School who are attending Henley Royal Regatta on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July 2023 from 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm. The Headington marquee will be pitched at the Henley Cricket Club, Matson Drive, Henley-on-Thames (a five-minute walk from Henley Bridge).
Please sign up on Eventbrite if you would like to join us on either or both days so that we can cater accordingly.
We look forward to seeing you at Henley Royal Regatta and if you have any questions, please get in touch with Emily Whiteley emwhiteley@headington.org.
Celebrating 30 years of HSOBC
In November, it was lovely to have the opportunity to welcome so many people who’ve been involved with shaping the Boat Club over the last 30 years to our 30th anniversary of HSOBC. Current and former rowers, parents and coaches came together to celebrate and enjoyed hearing how HSOBC started from John Broadhurst (Co-Founder of HSOBC), Hilary Smith (Headington’s first rowing coach) and Tania Gibson (one of Headington’s first rowers). Guests also heard from Head Coach, Mr Ryan Demaine and Head of Rowing, Mr Chris Hermes about how HSOBC has now become one of the largest, most admired and successful school Boat Clubs in the UK.
HSOBC’s first squad, all class of 1993: Nadine Al Said, Jude Powell, Shamsi Kabarra, Tania Gibson (née Smith), Ruth Lewis (née Philips), Lucy Duncan, Camilla Brand (née Moore), Jessica Broadhurst, Jenifer Wager (née Lambert). Fah Sakaret couldn’t make it on this occasion, but she was there in spirit and in cardboard cut out form!
To read more and see the pictures from the 30th year anniversary celebration please take a look at our 30 years of HSOBC site
HSOBC’s first squad, all class of 1993: Nadine Al Said, Jude Powell, Shamsi Kabarra, Tania Gibson (née Smith), Ruth Lewis (née Philips), Lucy Duncan, Camilla Brand (née Moore), Jessica Broadhurst, Jenifer Wager (née Lambert). Fah Sakaret couldn’t make it on this occasion, but she was there in spirit and in cardboard cut out form!
To read more and see the pictures from the 30th year anniversary celebration please take a look at our 30 years of HSOBC site
“It has been 30 years since we left Headington and dare I say it doesn’t feel that long ago as it was lovely to spend time with most of the original rowing crew. Amazing how a team sport re-unites a crew!
Inspiring to think that in true Headington style, one question we asked was “What stops us from setting up a Rowing Club?”. With the help of some very determined and enthusiastic parents (Tom Collins and John Broadhurst) who carried on the dream long after their daughters left, a great sense of humour, determination and grit, it’s incredible to see what has been achieved.
The HSOBC set up 30 years ago has now become an international success with plenty of girls getting in a boat/competing as well as more than 120 rowing for GB and three rowing in the Olympics. Headington is known as one of the “best rowing schools in the world” - a far cry from the heavy wooden boats and no kit we started with! Everything has to start somewhere and it's great to be part of the story.
Let’s support HSOBC in funding their own boathouse, a place to be proud of and giving the rowers space to train on the river and the opportunity to tell their individual story of success whatever that might mean to them.”
Tania Gibson (née Smith, Headingtonian 1993)
“It has been 30 years since we left Headington and dare I say it doesn’t feel that long ago as it was lovely to spend time with most of the original rowing crew. Amazing how a team sport re-unites a crew!
Inspiring to think that in true Headington style, one question we asked was “What stops us from setting up a Rowing Club?”. With the help of some very determined and enthusiastic parents (Tom Collins and John Broadhurst) who carried on the dream long after their daughters left, a great sense of humour, determination and grit, it’s incredible to see what has been achieved.
The HSOBC set up 30 years ago has now become an international success with plenty of girls getting in a boat/competing as well as more than 120 rowing for GB and three rowing in the Olympics. Headington is known as one of the “best rowing schools in the world” - a far cry from the heavy wooden boats and no kit we started with! Everything has to start somewhere and it's great to be part of the story.
Let’s support HSOBC in funding their own boathouse, a place to be proud of and giving the rowers space to train on the river and the opportunity to tell their individual story of success whatever that might mean to them.”
Tania Gibson (née Smith, Headingtonian 1993)
Will you be
IN THE CREW?
It is only with the generous support of Headingtonians, parents and the wider community that we will be able to build a Boathouse HSOBC can call home.
Donations of any size will make a real difference in helping us to achieve our ambition. To thank our supporters' generosity, donations of £250 or more will have their name recognised in the Boathouse.
