Cambridge University rowers have accused Oxford of using desperate and “slimy” tactics to prevent a star rower from competing in the Boat Race as a row erupted over eligibility rules.
As one of the most intense rivalries in British sport, the Boat Race is keenly fought in the River Thames but has now moved off the water.
Students in post-graduate teaching training have been banned from competing in the race for the first time in its 200-year history, for the reason that the PGCE is not a “degree-level qualification”.
The move appears to be aimed at preventing elite “ringers” being brought into racing squads to boost performance.
It means that three Cambridge rowers across the men’s and women’s eights will not be able to compete.
Former rowers for the university said they were “seething” and accused Oxford University Boat Club (OUBC) of using the rules to try to gain an edge after years of losses.
Cambridge crews have won five of the last six men’s races and all of the last seven women’s races.
Imogen Grant, the reigning Olympic lightweight double sculls champion and Boat Race winner with Cambridge in 2017, 2018 and 2022 told The Times she was “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“I believe this is entirely down to select individuals among the alumni who have a narrow, outdated view of who rows boat races.”
Cath Bishop, a former Cambridge student and 2004 Olympic silver medallist, described the row as a “new low” in relations between the two clubs.
She added it was a “crying shame” that any student was being made “a pawn” in “petty disputes”.
The fallout between the teams began after the names of their crews were exchanged and OUBC raised concerns over three Cambridge rowers, including Matt Heywood, a two-time winner of the Under-23 men’s eight world title.
Oxford escalated the complaint to the independent “interpretation panel”, comprised of a chair, two representatives from each club and two academics.
OUBC argued that the PGCE is a “certificate” or diploma, and not a degree, while Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) pointed out that the University of Oxford’s Education Faculty states its PGCE is an “M level” or “level 7” qualification.
The gov.uk website also classifies master’s degrees as “level 7” qualifications.
CUBC also claimed that no concerns were raised last year when two PGCE students raced in the Cambridge reserve boat crew.
Both clubs are advised that recruiting elite athletes is potentially “inconsistent with the spirit of the race”, but many former Olympians, including double gold medallist James Cracknell, have raced in the explicitly amateur event on both sides.
Rules have been tightened in recent years to prevent students who are attending the universities on exchange programmes or part-time courses from taking part in the contest.
The Boat Race Company, which runs the event on behalf of the clubs, said: “Both clubs agree to the existence and ultimate authority of an independent interpretation panel to provide rulings on any disputes, or to clarify rules where necessary.
“The clubs are signatories to a joint agreement and agree to be bound by a ruling of the interpretation panel with no further recourse.
“We hope that any decision of the interpretation panel is respected and accepted, and not debated publicly, particularly since the [panel’s] remit was agreed by the clubs.”
The first Boat Race took place in June 1829 at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, organised by two friends.
Cambridge have an overall lead in the competition with 87 victories compared to Oxford’s 81.