2023-24 RUBC committee
Below are the current coaches and committee members of Reading University Boat Club.
Will Rand – Director of Rowing
Will is the Director of Rowing at RUBC, and has been the backbone of RUBC since he joined the coaching team in 2004. Will studied Environmental Science at Reading University, he rowed alongside his degree and captained the squad before graduating in 1998. His successes include winning at Henley Royal Regatta in the Wyfolds in 2001 with Leander and he reached the final of the Visitors Challenge Cup in 2007. He came back to Reading to join the coaching team, which has gone from strength to strength ever since. He has a calm and relaxed approach whilst he oversees the running of club on a day to day basis. His coaching experience is paramount to the club and he enjoys coaching the whole squad from the novices to GB trialists - he’s also our resident boatman and trailer driver of the club. He plays a huge part in the organisation of our head race and regularly communicates with the students’ union and the university.
Chris Bartley – Performance Coach
Two-time Olympian Chris has been an invaluable member of the coaching team since he joined us as Performance coach in October 2016. Straight off the back of an incredibly successful rowing career himself in the lightweight men’s coxless four, where Chris picked up an Olympic silver medal (London 2012), a world gold medal (Karapio 2010), and a u23 world gold medal and world record in the lightweight pair (Hazewinkel 2006) just to name a few. Previously coaching at Pembroke college (2007-2008) and Sir William Borlase (2008-2015) Chris brings a lot of knowledge and both rowing and coaching experience to the club. Chris has transformed the programme over the seasons he has been here and really helps to push the standard of the athletes. As a keen cyclist, he writes excellent rehabilitation wattbike programmes to ensure athletes maintain fitness and positive spirits during the tough time of injury. He is passionate about the sport and the club and supports every individual at RUBC, ensuring we are the best athletes we can be.
Simon Williamson – Assistant Coach
Simon joined the RUBC coaching team at the start of the 2022 season, but he first joined RUBC as a student in 2013. Simon studied a BSc in Chemistry and an MSc in Nutrition at Reading University, rowing alongside both of these degrees and acting as the club President for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. During his time rowing at RUBC he won multiple BUCS and EUSA medals across Champ, Inter and Lightweight categories. Before returning to RUBC, Simon spent a year coaching at Hereford Cathedral School (2017-18) before moving to London where he worked in the food industry whilst rowing at Thames Rowing Club for 3 seasons. In 2022 when Simon returned to RUBC to join the coaching team, he also took his passion for nutrition to another level, completing a PGCert in Applied Sports Nutrition at St Mary’s University alongside coaching. Simon uses this to give the athletes advice on how they can use nutrition to better their training, performance, and recovery, including providing weekly tips in ‘What to Eat Wednesday’.
Dan Oakley – President
Josh Lyon - Men’s Captain
Finnola Stratton - Women’s Captain
Jack Bates - Secretary
Katie Gould – Social Secretary
Ethan Walters & Jake Ingham – Press Officer
Ellie Cooke & Charlie Ingham – Recruitment
Leah Atkinson – Welfare & EDI Officer
Rosie Mammatt – Treasurer
Alex Grocock & Marlena Taczarek - Alumni relations & Fundraising
Jonjo Findlay - Kit Officer