Trailblazing Sir Thomas Rich’s school rowers reunite 50 years on

A group of former schoolboy rowers have reunited – 50 years after they were last in a boat together.

The crew of eight had success in the late 1960s, winning the prestigious Boston Marathon in 1972, competing against international-level rowers for Sir Thomas Rich’s school in Gloucester.

Now in their 70s, the rowers returned to Gloucester Rowing Club on Saturday, where they trained, under the watchful eye of their original coach Graham Middleton.

Nick Cooper, one of the original crew members, said they are proud of their achievements raising the profile of state school athletes in what he described as public school dominated sport.

“We were a state school in what was then a sport very much dominated by public school rowing and we turned that on it’s head really.

“Locally, throughout the South West and the Midlands, we were a force to deal with.

“Certainly in 1970 we ran silver medal at the national school which was pretty remarkable actually.”

Mr Cooper said their original coach Graham Middleton, was instrumental in shaping the crew’s success.

“I can remember sitting in science labs reading books on a German crew to see how we could improve,” he said.

Mr Cooper said: “Places like Gloucester Rowing Club are doing a great job at bringing young people in.

“It’s a growing sport, but I’d love to see more of it happening in state schools,” he added.