Rowing: Head 2025-26

DATES

Saturday 28^th February and 1^st March 2026.

VENUE & ADDRESS

Tyne United RC/Tyne Amateur RC/ Newcastle University BC, Newburn Bridge Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE15 8NR

ENTRY OPENING DATE

Tuesday 20th January 2026

STAGE 1 ENTRY CLOSING DATE

Thursday 12^th February 2026 at 11:59pm – Institution Administrator (IA) Entry Deadline (Boats must be created/added (including reserve list boats) and a Team Captain appointed by this deadline)

Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 11:59pm – Student/Competitor Entry Deadline (Students must have joined their boat category by this deadline)

Thursday 19^th February 2026 at 11:59pm – IA Approval Deadline (Students must have sbeen approved/moved into their boat/squad on BUCS Play by this deadline)

Reserve competitors must be entered online via BUCS Play within the ‘reserve list’ boat before the entry closing date. 

There is no cost for submitting competitors to the reserve list. Institutions are strongly encouraged to fully utilise the submission of a reserve list.

ENTRY COSTS

£37.50 per 2-/2x Boat

£75 per 4s Boat

£150 per 8s Boat

(Coxes & reserve boats are free)

ENTRY ALLOWANCE

The number of boats accepted into the competition will be at the discretion of the BUCS Rowing Event Management Group (EMG).
If entries exceed this number priority will be given to:

• One boat entry per institution per category (prior to allowing a second boat entry)
• Championship categories (BUCS points eligible) 

Institutions may submit an unlimited number of entries onto the reserve boat which may be used for substitutions in advance of the competition starting.

ENTRY PROCESS

To apply for this competition:

1. Entries will need to be submitted via the team entries section of our online entry system, BUCS Play (Instructions on how to do this can be found here). University Institution Administrators (IAs) need to apply for all boats that will be competing. Students/Competitors will not be able to apply for their boat unless an Institution Administrator has entered the relevant boat on BUCS Play.
2. Please speak to your IA as they will need to enter the correct number of teams/ boats for you.
3. Competitors then need to apply for the respective event. (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
4. IAs must assign competitors to the correct team/ boat during the approval process. (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)

Any data will be handled in accordance with BUCS Privacy Policy

By participating in this event you agree to adhere to BUCS General Event Disclaimer

To check whether you are eligible to compete in BUCS competitions, please visit REG 4 Individual Eligibility.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

COMPETITION FORMAT

• Approx. 3,000m for beginner and small boat crews
• Approx. 5,000m for intermediate and championship crews.

The course is a tidal river. The course may be altered if inclement weather conditions are predicted or occur on the day.

The competition will consist of the following boat categories for open and women:

• Championship 2x
• Championship 2-
• Beginner 4x-
• Beginner 4+
• Beginner 8+
• Intermediate 4x-
• Intermediate 4+
• Intermediate 8+
• Intermediate Lightweight 4x-
• Championship 4x-
• Championship 4-
• Championship 4+
• Championship 8+
• Championship Lightweight 4-

N.B any category which does not receive at least 4 entries will not be held, and entries will not be charged for.

BOAT LICENSING

Licenses are not required for competition on the River Tyne.

BOAT HIRE

There is the opportunity to hire boats from the local rowing clubs.
These will be available on a first come first served basis. 

To hire a boat, or for further information, please contact Alex Leigh at Newcastle University Boat Club on [email protected].
 

PARA SPORT

Rowing encourages entries from all students and whilst there are no specific para / adaptive categories at BUCS Head – provision can sometimes be made for students to join crew boats. Please speak to your Institution in the first instance.

We are pleased to announce the introduction of new racing categories to the programme for the BUCS Head.

As part of our ongoing commitment to broadening opportunities within university rowing, we are adding Championship 2x (double scull) and Championship 2- (pair) events to this year’s schedule in Newcastle.

The Championship 2- category will offer BUCS points, in line with its inclusion in the existing small boats programme. The Championship 2x event will run as a pilot, and—subject to its success—BUCS points will be allocated from the 2026–27 season onwards.

We look forward to seeing these new categories enhance competition and participation across the BUCS rowing community.

WITHDRAWALS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Institutions can only make substitutions to their boats from competitors included on the reserve lists or included in another crew.

The reserve boat must be entered via BUCS Play before the entry closing date (Tuesday 17 February 2026 at 23:59). Institutions cannot make substitutions directly via BUCS Play.

Upon close of entries, club representatives (Coach/Captain/President) will be required to register for the competition management system where they will be able to administer their crews and make substitutions.

Withdrawal of boats after the entry closing date (Thursday 19 February 2026) will still be charged the entry fee as per our BUCS Withdrawal Policy.

Please note that all scratches / withdrawals must be made online by the institution rowing club captain or coach. Crews who do not withdraw, and do not compete at the event, will be classified as a ‘no-show’ and charged the entry fee and an additional £20 fine payable by the athletic union or students’ union as detailed in BUCS Withdrawal Policy.

If a crew wishes to withdraw on the day, they should scratch using the system a minimum of 60 minutes before the published start time of their division. Failure to do so may result in the boat being classed as a ‘no-show’ and the additional fine being imposed, as detailed above.

Competitors should also inform their institution they have withdrawn from the competition.

MEDALS AND BUCS POINTS

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishing crews in all boat categories.

The following BUCS points are available in Championship categories only (*please note this does not include trial categories eg. 2x):

• 1st:  12 points       
• 2nd: 8 points
• 3rd:  6 points
• 4th:  4 points                                          

As per Rowing (5) Multiple Championship entries are permitted from one institution/Playing Entity, with medals awarded to the top 3 crews as applicable, but only the highest placed crew will receive BUCS Points.

Overall team points are available for the top Open teams and Women’s teams based on an institution’s placing in the final respective Victor Ludorum (VL) standings. The following points are available:

• 1st: 20 points
• 2nd: 14 points
• 3rd: 10 points
• 4th: 7 points
• 5th: 5 points
• 6th: 3 points
• 7th: 2 points
• 8th: 1 point

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Media Accreditation Form prior to the event.

BUCS reserves the right to prohibit photography equipment being used at a BUCS event. BUCS reserves the right to request that the individual ceases to take photographs, deletes any images and, if considered necessary, leaves the venue.

If you wish to take photos or videos at this event, please contact the BUCS Event Lead. 

SAFEGUARDING AT BUCS EVENTS

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.

QUESTIONS

All questions should in the first instance should be directed to your Institution Administration.