Leander women athletes walk out over allegations against male rowers

LEANDER Club in Henley has been accused of failing to properly investigate allegations of serious sexual assault and harassment.

Last season, female rowers at the club staged a walkout over the club’s handling of a number of allegations against its male rowers.

ITV News reported two incidents in which male rowers at the club had been accused of offences against its female members.

One was accused of a serious sexual assault of a female squad member in 2022 but was allowed to keep rowing at the club. The Telegraph reported this as rape.

A second was suspended after being accused of harassing a female squad member before being readmitted following an appeal.

Both men deny the allegations.

According to ITV News, in the first case, the club determined there was “insufficient evidence” to initiate a full disciplinary process.

However, following an investigation into the second case, when the rower accused of harassment was reinstated, female rowers refused to train with their male teammates.

In addition to refusing to use the club’s gym at the same time as the men, they wore white ribbons on their kit to support the fight against abuse and violence against women in the sport and to protest at the club’s handling of the investigations.

According to the Telegraph, a rape allegation against the man in the first case, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was reported to the club in April 2023.

After a Leander social event in 2022 the man was accused of sexually assaulting a female club member, who was 18 at the time, at a flat in Henley.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that the women reported the rape allegation after informing Leander in 2023 but she later asked that her complaint was not pursued due to her mental health.

In October, 2023, 33 athletes, 18 female and 15 male, jointly wrote to the club’s committee calling on it to investigate “multiple, serious allegations” against the man.

The document claimed that in the aftermath of the allegations, the accused man was ‘‘permitted to train, eat and socialise in the same room as the victim as well as other members of the women’s squad”.

In continued: “All concerned were deeply uncomfortable in his presence. [...]

“[We] have taken the personal decision to take the risk of reprisals in order to make the club and rowing generally a safer place and to protect our teammates.”

The club said that no further action would be taken against the rower.

It said: “We recognise that there are certain very serious allegations contained in the accounts received but there is simply insufficient evidence to allow the matter to be taken further in a situation where the protagonist’s evidence is fundamentally different.”

The club confirmed it had informed both the police and British Rowing about the allegation.

It said it had facilitated a meeting between the police and the complainant and had provided her with professional counselling.

According to ITV News, the complainant said she did have several phone conversations with the police but did not meet officers in person to give a statement.

For mental health reasons she said she had to “stop the whole thing” and the complaint was withdrawn at her request.

Leander then dropped its investigation but said the accused rower had been reminded of his responsibilities under the club’s code of conduct.

The alleged victim later left the club and no longer rows there.

ITV News reported that a witness, who volunteered to give evidence to the investigation into the serious sexual assault, sent a statement to Leander about what he saw on the night of the alleged offence but he was not contacted or spoken to about any of the details in his statement.

At around the same time, the club also received a complaint regarding a second male rower, accusing him of harassment towards a female club member and former partner.

According to the Telegraph the man was accused of shouting at the woman in public places and intentionally cornering her in places in the club such as the gym.

The man admitted to harassing the woman and he was suspended by Leander before being expelled from the club.

However, following an appeal, an independent panel ruled in his favour and he was permitted to rejoin the club.

Leander Club told ITV News that it takes seriously all issues relating to the safeguarding of its athletes.

It said: “We have strict procedures in place to carefully examine any formal complaints and regularly review our club disciplinary processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, treating our athletes fairly and with respect.

“In addition to an updated code of conduct, we have partnered with a specialist external provider to ensure members of the club know without doubt the standards we expect and the ways to highlight any individual misconduct.

“When issues are raised, we will continue to take immediate action where necessary to protect the welfare of our athletes.’’

Pete Bridge, the club’s chairman, said: “The athletes in our squads are at the heart of this club.

“When safeguarding issues arise, as with any organisation, there is a strict and confidential process that is followed to protect those involved.

“We continually review our safeguarding measures and have updated these in line with our ambition to ensure rowing is inclusive and accessible for the next wave of athletes pursuing their dreams of international sporting success.”

Leander Club, which was established in 1818, is one of the world’s oldest rowing clubs.

It is known for producing Olympic talent and, last year, supplied Team GB with more than half of its rowers.

Its athletes won 16 golds at last week’s European Championships, to add to the 21 medals Leander rowers brought home from the Paris Olympics and Paralympics last year.