Reading University Boat Club strive to offer oarsmen every opportunity to achieve their goals. In many Reading University BC first VIII's and Henley crews over the years there have been members who had never touched an oar until arriving at the University. Of these, some have gone on to achieve national success and are now professional oarsmen. It has been proven many times in rowing that one's potential is sealed by only by the amount of effort and positive determination that one puts in.

We are fortunate to have the support of officers from the First Class Start programme, Richard Hamilton (Talent Development Officer BIRO) and Mark Earnshaw (Talent Development Coach Thames Upper) who test some of our new members at the beginning of the season and provide potential oarsmen for development. Richard and Mark will also provide occasional coaching and support to existing members of RUBC's senior squads on and off the water.

During the winter the senior squads will generally train on the water in the weekday mornings (except Wednesdays when the whole university dedicates the afternoon to sport) and do gymnasium-based training in the evening. Weekends are made up of double sessions finishing by lunchtime. In the summer, water sessions may also be conducted in the evenings as well.