British Rowing statement regarding Mr Henry Bailhache-Webb: February 2026
British Rowing accepts the conclusions and recommendations of the Case Management Group and independent risk assessment
On 17 September 2025, British Rowing published a statement announcing that Mr Henry Bailhache-Webb had been permanently suspended from British Rowing activities. This reflected the decision of a British Rowing Case Management Group. The allegations against Mr Bailhache-Webb related primarily to an athlete feedback sheet (the ‘toughness sheet’) that Mr Bailhache-Webb circulated during his tenure as Head Coach at Oxford Brookes University Boat Club.
Due to concerns regarding procedural irregularities and proportionality of the decision communicated on 17 September 2025, British Rowing referred the matter to an independent professional risk assessor, and separately to a newly constituted independent Case Management Group. The independent risk assessment found that Mr Bailhache-Webb’s circulation of the toughness sheet “represents a serious but isolated boundary failure”. The independent risk assessment describes having reviewed evidence that demonstrates Mr Bailhache-Webb to be “an exceptional, respected coach who demonstrated strong professionalism, genuine care for athlete wellbeing, and a positive role in mentoring and developing athletes”.
Mr Bailhache-Webb has taken full responsibility for the “toughness sheet” and acknowledges that the language used in the toughness sheet was unprofessional. He is sorry for any hurt that it has caused. The independent risk assessment notes that Mr Bailhache-Webb “has demonstrated meaningful insight, clear accountability, genuine empathy, and credible commitment to safeguarding standards”.
The risk assessment and the independent Case Management Group both recommend that Mr Bailhache-Webb should not be subject to any suspension. Both recommend, however, that if Mr Bailhache-Webb elects to return to any coaching or leadership role under British Rowing’s jurisdiction, he should be subject to certain conditions during the first 12 months of taking the new position. British Rowing accepts the conclusions and recommendations of the Case Management Group and independent risk assessment. Mr Bailhache-Webb can therefore return to coaching and, should he decide to do so, the conditions will include periodic training, supervision, reporting and formal reviews. Mr Bailhache-Webb has indicated his full agreement to the proposed conditions. Mr Bailhache-Webb intends to undertake all of the recommended training and indeed he has already completed a UK Coaching Safeguarding course.
British Rowing acknowledges and apologises for the errors it made in relation to the initial decision against Mr Bailhache-Webb and we are thankful to him for his cooperation in resolving the situation.
British Rowing is committed to creating and upholding a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the rowing community. British Rowing notes that the use of the “toughness sheet” at Oxford Brookes University Boat Club was clearly not acceptable and does not have any place in our sport.
