British Rowing statement regarding Mr Richard Spratley: February 2026

British Rowing accepts the decision of the Case Management Group

On 17 September 2025, British Rowing published a statement announcing that Mr Richard Spratley had been permanently suspended from British Rowing activities. This reflected the decision of a British Rowing Case Management Group. The allegations against Mr Spratley concerned alleged failings during his tenure as Director of Rowing at Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, including as regards to the British Rowing Weighing Guidance.

Due to concerns regarding procedural irregularities and proportionality of the original decision, British Rowing referred the matter to an independent professional risk assessor, and separately to a newly constituted Case Management Group.

Following this process, the risk assessment found that there had “been no inappropriate conduct by Mr Spratley”. The risk assessment and the CMG have both recommended that Mr Spratley should not be subject to any suspension, nor sanction of any kind. British Rowing accepts this decision of the CMG and confirms that Mr Spratley is now free to take part in all activities under British Rowing’s jurisdiction.

British Rowing acknowledges the errors in relation to the initial decision and apologises to Mr Spratley for the distress and hurt caused by the publication on 17 September 2025.

British Rowing is committed to creating and upholding a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the rowing community. Mr Spratley strongly shares this concurrence. Though Mr Spratley no longer holds his role at Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, nor holds any other leadership role in rowing, he has recently undertaken the British Rowing-endorsed Safeguarding Workshop (as prepared and delivered by UK Coaching) as part of his ongoing commitment to developing his understanding in relation to safeguarding and best practice.