Landmark moment for Rowing at Cambridge

The new addition comprises women’s changing facilities as well as additional office space and training space for both CUWBC and CUBC. 

The current CUWBC and CUBC squads were joined at the opening by Heads of House, academics, donors to the project and alumni as well as representatives from the town boat clubs.

Robin Waterer, Senior Treasurer of CUBC, spoke about the development of the plans for this historic build and paid tribute to the hard work of Jerry Bailey (Goldie 78 and 80), the Architect and his commitment to not only this latest build, but the new Ely Boathouse project, which will see all three University Clubs have a permanent training base on the River Great Ouse.

Sarah Winckless, who the previous evening, been announced as the winner of the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration, at the prestigious Sportswomen of the Year Awards, spoke on behalf of CUWBC. Sarah, who was President of CUWBC in 1997 and went on to win Bronze in the double sculls at the 2004 Olympic Games, spoke of how important it was for the women to have this facility and how it will prove transformational in their preparation for their Boat races.

Guest of honour was the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz (pictured below). In his speech to the assembled guests he said: “We all know how important sport and extracurricular activities are for students to help give them a balance to their academic life and to provide much needed confidence and life skills for after university.

“The Goldie extension is a long overdue investment that focuses on giving the female students at Cambridge the same opportunity as the men and provides the women's boat club with a home for the first time in over 70 years.

“It will allow the men and women's teams to combine excellence in their studies with excellence in their sport and transform the way both train and work together. All those who have supported this project have shown real vision in helping to transform the way women's sport at Cambridge is viewed and I cannot thank them enough for their support."

In addition to officially opening the new extension, the historic Coaches’ Office was also officially named after Robin Williams MBE, the Cambridge Coach who won 7 out of the 11 Boat Races he coached and who, last year, coached Heather Stanning and Helen Glover to Gold in the coxless pair at London 2012.

Annamarie Phelps (Blondie 87), Chairman of CUWBC and in addition, Chairman of British Rowing, as well as one of the first women to medal for Great Britain (Gold, Word Championships, 1992) couldn’t attend due to unforeseen circumstances but sent this message:

“Sport plays an important role in the well-being of our students. Many who have passed through the University remember with fondness their time spent on the river and our excellence in rowing gloriously reflects our worldwide reputation in academia. 

“The opening of the Goldie extension, which enables CUWBC to land train alongside the men, is an important milestone in the progress of women’s rowing in Cambridge as we build-up towards the historic race on the Thames in 2015.”

The Vice Chancellor unveiled two Honours Boards, one commemorating the donors to the first Goldie Extension in 2003 and the 2nd to the donors to this latest project.

Presentations of Cambridge Blue Oar Plaques were made to donors, including St John’s College, the University and Dr Patricia Marsh who were present for the official opening. Other donors include Pembroke College Boat Club, Ilyas Khan (The Stanhill Foundation), Homerton College, St Edmund’s and King’s College as well as anonymous donors.