The ULBC development squad is open to any student of the University of London that has never rowed before. Led by Tom Cross, it is the beginner rowing wing of the wider University of London Boat Club and serves to fast-track athletes into the world of high-performance sport. ULBC is a GB Rowing High Performance Academy under the Olympic Pathway.

The programme teaches athletes to row and gives them racing experience. It will introduce you to the world of rowing, and set you up for many years in this sport. Each season the development squad targets the beginner events at British University Championships (BUCS) Regatta and the British Rowing Senior Club Championships. After their beginner year, athletes feed into the senior ULBC squad, forming part of the crews that go on to race at the major domestic elite races and trial for international U23 and senior teams.

Training takes place at the University of London Boat House in Chiswick, and consists of 5-8 sessions a week, comprising a mix of physiology development on the land and technical development on the water.

Last year saw the ULBC beginner women’s double win a bronze medal at the British Championships. This year’s development squad has begun training, but is still open to applications.

If you’re interested please email Tom on development@ulbc.co.uk or fill in the joining form.