APPEAL NOW COMPLETE - SEE HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!

Oxford Brookes are looking for financial support to see the boys fly through Henley Royal Regatta in the Temple Challenge for 2014.

So why this year?

Brookes are now finally after several years of building in a position where we have a squad strong enough to have a serious shot of Winning the Temple Challenge Cup 2014.

Last Year 2012-13 Results

1st and 2nd on Saturday and Sunday with two crews in Open Eights at Ghent Regatta. Never done before.
Winners of 7 out of 10 eights categories at Metropolitan Regatta over both days with the fastest time ever rowed by a Brookes Crew of 5:41.8
HRR Qualified 4 Eights in the Temple Challenge Cup.
HRR the 1st eight gave the winning Dutch crew the toughest race of the regatta at just under half a length.
From last year we have lost only 1 man from the 2013 1st eight and have gained a very very strong intake. In competitions pre Christmas and flooding they had dominated at every event.

This is the strongest squad since the temple winning crew in 2006, we must do everything possible to help this current group succeed.

This group of boys are thankful for what they have and appreciate the work that has gone in over the years from you all to make the Brookes system what it is.

In addition to our Taurus fundraising the temple squad are doing their best to help raise money for the boat themselves. On Thursday 10th April 2014 they are rowing 1,000,000m between 2-6pm on 25 rowing machines in the centre of Oxford.

Taurus would like to raise the funds to buy a new boat to ensure nothing prevents this years Temple Crew fulfilling their potential. Let's make it happen!

The new shell has been ordered and it is due for payment during the first week in May. The boat club have raised some of the funds to complete the purchase of this boat, but are around £10,000 + VAT short

If you can help please donate via the options below (a direct bank transfer saves the club 3.7% in credit card fees).

APPEAL NOW COMPLETE - SEE HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!

Oxford Brookes Temple Challenge Cup 2014 Training at Cholsey

Why this Boat?

The purpose of buying this shell is that this is the right size for the Temple Cup Eight this year. It is a 95 kg shell. We have negotiated a special purchase from GB Rowing of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Eight.

The new cost to purchase this would be £37,000. It is in immaculate condition.

We have negotiated a special purchase route due to our relationship with GB Rowing.

The shell has been ordered and it is due for payment during the first week in May. We have raised some of the funds to complete the purchase of this boat, but are around £10,000 + VAT short.

The purchase of this new shell will enable the current Second Eight Empacher shell (which is currently jointly shared between the Women's Group and the Men's Second Eight) to be dedicated solely for women's use. This women's boat is also in very good condition. Therefore, the purchase of the new shell will enable the Women's Group to have a dedicated Empacher Eight.

If we do not complete our purchase by the agreed date, the shell will be sold to another university.

During this current academic year I have successfully negotiated the purchase of 3 no. Empacher Coxless pairs, which the university purchased in September 2013. These are used in the GB trial process by the senior athletes.

In February 2014 I negotiated the purchase of 2 x 2008 Empacher Coxless fours, which were paid for by the university.

In July 2013 the university completed the funding for construction of a new boathouse facility for the sum of £600,000.

In this instance, because of all the recent purchases, the Sports Department have indicated that we would ideally wait for the next academic year before any further large purchases are made. This is understandable in all respects.

Everyone wants the Temple Cup Eight to row in this superb new shell and do not want to lose the opportunity of this purchase to one of our main rivals.

Richard, Henry & all of Taurus Committee hope that all of Taurus will support us in this special quick purchase.

Richard Spratley, Director of Rowing, Oxford Brookes