The Abingdon School Boat Club was established over 160 years ago. This proud fact ranks it as the third oldest school boat club in Britain (behind Eton and Winchester). Not only that, it is also one of the most successful school rowing clubs in the UK today. And we like to think that the Friends of Abingdon School Boat Club have made a major contribution to that success.
FASBC’s membership is drawn predominantly from the parents of rowing boys, but is called ‘Friends’ because of the significant number of OAs and parents of OAs who continue to support the school through their membership. To quote the Chair of FASBC, it is “the best camaraderie I have ever witnessed amongst parents and supporters”. As well as its enviable reputation for its fantastic regatta hospitality, FASBC contributes significantly to the Boat Club through its fundraising and by arranging a number of very successful annual social events.
Rowing is a very capital intensive sport: for example, a new single scull can cost up to £5000, a new “eight” up to £30,000 and a set of oars £8,000. Add in the cost of spares (riggers: £200 each; shoes: £60; seats £130 etc.) and the running costs of the launches and pick-ups, and the bill soon mounts up.
In The Abingdon Boathouse Appeal 2003, the inertia and spectacular financial input from FASBC – raising £65,000 towards the cost - resulted in the magnificent, award-winning Boathouse we have today. There are more examples below of what FASBC have donated.
The success of FASBC is recognised not only within Abingdon School itself, but also by other rowing schools and organisations. The recipe for success is quite simple. Mix together rowers’ parents, OAs, heaps of enthusiasm, lots of humour, great camaraderie and an exciting equipment wish list from the Master in Charge of rowing!
You can find more information in FASBC FAQs.
Help given
| 2011 | £10,000 towards a new eight |
| 2008 | Launch and new pair |
| 2007 | New pair |
| 2006 | £6,500 for a new Four |
| 2005 | New quad for the J14s |
| 2004 | £4,288 for 5 new ergos £500 for a second-hand ergo |
| 2003 | £8,528 for the purchase of ex GB coxless four - Peter & Elaine Hemsley |
| 2002 | Funds carried forward |
| 2001 | Funds carried forward |
| 2000 | £4,000 towards purchase of new coxed four - James Cobban |
| 1999 | £3,000 towards the purchase of a four from Shiplake - Anita |
| 1998 | £3,000 for various equipment |
| 1997 | £2,347 for the purchase of 10 blades for the 1st VIII |
| 1996 | £2,600 for the purchase of a second hand eight for J15 - Amici Societatis £2,000 for Grenoble rowing camp |
| 1995 | £2,000 for two second hand quad sculls and two sets of blades for J14/15 |
| 1994 | £873 Octuple Scull conversion |
| 1993 | £250 towards the Boat Club Easter Training Camp |
| 1992 | £10 Mower spare parts £45 Boat Trestles £1,000 Boat purchases |
| 1991 | £250 towards the costs of the senior coxed four representing England in the Home Counties Championships |