Staff

Sean Bowden

Chief Coach

Sean has been Chief Coach since 1997 and is one of the most successful Boat Race coaches. His first win in 2000 put an end to Cambridge’s seven year winning streak and started a period of Oxford supremacy, winning 12 of the last 18 races.

Prior to joining Oxford, Sean had been the Head Coach of the successful British Lightweight Rowing Team and a Team GB Olympic coach. He also won two Boat Races for Cambridge in 1993 and 1994.

Brendan Gliddon

Assistant coach

Brendan joined OUBC in 2018 having previously coached on the Thames Tideway at Westminster School and Imperial College London. He is originally from South Africa where he was head of rowing at the University of Cape Town and SA College School. He is an International Rowing Umpire and has coached U23 and FISU teams for South Africa and Great Britain.

Austen Dorey

Boathouse manager

Austen started at OUBC in 2012. He was brought up on the River Thames and has been building and restoring boats since he could hold a chisel. He has developed an enviable skill base and is widely regarded as one of the finest boatmen in the country.

Prior to joining OUBC, Austen was boatman of Shiplake College for twelve years and Abingdon School for three years.

Caroline
Bramhall-Clay

Club administrator

Caroline began working for OUWBC in January 2017, and took over the administration of OUBC in May 2018. Not being from a rowing background, Caroline has been on a fast track learning curve to ensure she is up to speed with both the University, and the Boat Race.

Prior to joining the clubs, Caroline worked at The Football Association for nine years, working across both the men and women’s youth teams, and with the England Senior Women’s team for five years.

Dr Alex Bowmer

physical therapist

Alex joined OUBC in 2019. Having trained in athletic training, physical therapy, sports medicine and strength & conditioning, Alex brings experience from working within the NFL, NCAA and BUCS to manage the health of the squad. He has previously worked with rowers of all abilities in both the U.K. and USA, and adopts best practice from either side of the pond to develop sports medicine provision within the club.