OUWBC Appoints Ali Williams as Chief Coach

OUWBC is delighted to announce their new Chief Coach after the departure of Christine Wilson this summer.

After a competitive application process, Ali Williams will take the lead role having assisted Christine in The 2016 Cancer Research UK Boat Races campaign. Ali will look to continue the success that the Club has enjoyed over recent years, including 4 consecutive Women’s Boat Race victories.

Ali, who hails from Australia, will be going into her second season with the OUWBC (her first as Chief Coach) having previously been Head Coach at the Edmonton Rowing Club, the University of Alberta, Canada, and having coached the Canadian Junior National Development Team. Before turning her hand to coaching, Ali enjoyed a successful career as a cox for the University of Sydney and various New South Wales teams. Ali coxed Australian W8+’s at a number of international races and medaled in the Youth Olympics.

On her appointment, Ali says “I am very excited and hugely honored to be given the opportunity to lead this fantastic club for The 2017 Boat Race season. I hope to build upon the great success that we’ve seen recently that has allowed a number of our athletes to go on and represent their country at U23 World Championship level and the Olympic Games this summer alone. I’ve learned so much about the intricacies of this special Race and, whilst I have a lot to learn, I’m looking forward to putting this into practice for the coming season.”

The 163rd Boat Race and The 72nd Women’s Boat Race will take place on Sunday 2nd April 2017. The Cancer Research UK Women’s Boat Race will start at 16:35, with The Cancer Research UK Boat Race an hour later at 17:35.