Boat Race 2025: Olympic champion Imogen Grant ‘seething’ after Oxford University Boat Club block three Cambridge University Boat Club athletes from competing

The blue touch paper has been well and truly lit ahead of this year’s Boat Race after a trio of Cambridge University Boat Club athletes were blocked from competing.

In a move that has been branded “a desperate ploy from Oxford to gain an upper hand in the most slimy way” by one of Cambridge’s most famous alumni, three postgraduate teachers have been ruled ineligible with less than a month to go until the two rival clubs reignite their famous rivalry on 13 April.

Oxford are yet to comment on the matter, but their decision to veto PGCE students from featuring on race day – despite many having taking their places in both boats down the years – has been met by a combination of consternation and anger from Cambridge rowers past and present.

Imogen Grant, a three-time Boat Race winner and an Olympic lightweight champion, wrote 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“I believe this is entirely down to select individuals amongst the alumni who have a narrow outdated view of who rows the Boat Race.”

Molly Foxell – a reservist in 2022 and 2023 – and lightweight cox Kate Crowley are two of those that have been ruled out, as has Matt Heywood.

The Under-23 men’s eight world champion from three years ago 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.”

Cowley also added on social media: “This club is a lot more than just one race - it’s stays at the Simpsons, 5am trains for seat racing, crew dinners, Blondie jumpers, endless miles on the Ely straight, examining GPS data, CCCCCCCCC, telemetry that you spend hours setting up (and it still doesn’t work), trips to Drop Shot, clash practice, MILE!, Bonjour Putney bets, coxing meetings, training camps, launch rides, media days, fartlek, sweat downs, and so much more.

“Even so, it is absolutely gutting to have the race that you’ve dreamed of doing for years taken away from you, without getting any say in the matter. I haven’t fully come to terms with it yet, and I’m not sure that I will. The decision to exclude PGCE students is not good sportsmanship, and it does not do justice to the thousands of teachers and trainee teachers in this country who work unbelievably hard, every single day, to give all students the best education they can possibly have.

“But this decision is also only one part of my three years at this club. I am so proud, and so happy, to have been part of the story of this club, even if this current chapter is over.

“Thank you to everyone from CUBC, present and past, who has supported us. This experience has been completely changed by your unwavering support, and I am so grateful. I can’t wait to cheer you on this year, and watch you leave it all on the water. I am so proud to call you my team-mates.”

Meanwhile, in a statement, Cambridge University Boat Club chair Annamarie Phelp 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.”