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Friends of Abingdon School Boat Club (FASBC)
By joining this club, you have unlocked the ability to connect with fellow FASBC members through messaging, exchange information and ideas via the forum, stay updated on relevant news and events, and share photos from recent gatherings you've enjoyed together.
Your Club Ambassadors have been designated to oversee club activity and serves as your primary point of contact for any inquiries or concerns. You can view their details by scrolling down the page.
FASBC as it is known, was established to support the School Boat Club in every sense of the word. The membership is made up mainly of parents, but also OAs and former parents, keen to see the continuing success of the Club. The aim is to promote rowing to the pupils in the School, to encourage them to take up rowing, to raise funds to support the Club and to create a link between students, coaches and parents.
Abingdon School Boat Club is one of the most successful in the country, having won the “triple” in 2012. We like to think that FASBC have made an important contribution to that success, not least at Regattas, where the Abingdon tent is always well stocked with tea, cakes and good company. As well as this reputation for great hospitality, FASBC contributes significantly to the Boat Club through its fund raising. There are also a number of annual social events that unite parents, pupils and coaching staff. To quote a former chair, it is “the best camaraderie I have ever witnessed amongst parents and supporters”.
Over the years FASBC has raised funds for equipment to support the Boat Club. The award winning Boathouse is a result of a parental initiative in 2003. In 2020 we helped the boat club buy a new ‘eight’ for the J14s.
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Watch the Boat Club video, made by Tom Symington (OA 2020):
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Dear Parents, Old Abingdonians, Supporters and Pupils
I’m delighted to welcome everyone to the Friends of Abingdon School Boat Club (FASBC) section of the website!
What we do for the Boat Club
We are the official supporters of the Abingdon School Boat Club (‘probably the best supporters club in the world’, to quote a respected coach!) We support the pupils, coaches and parents on the riverside. We will send out useful information in advance of events so parents know what to expect. For regattas, we’ll get there early to put up the marquee, provide hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes, and generally provide a base for the whole day for a lot of loud cheering.
Fundraising
Funds are raised via Club membership, merchandise sales, donations, an Annual Dinner and Quiz evening in November. FASBC has been raising funds since 1991 and has recently purchased a leg press and enabled a new eight to be purchased for the 3rd and 4th year pupils.
A bit of history
FASBC was established over 25 years ago to support the Abingdon School Boat Club and its supporters. Its membership is made up of current parents, former parents and Old Abingdonians keen to see the continuing success of the Club. The aim of the Club is to promote rowing in the School, to encourage the pupils’ development, to raise funds to support the Club and to create a link between pupils, coaches, OAs, parents and supporters.
A bit about rowing at Abingdon
Rowing is unique in its ability to develop pupils; both as individuals and as part of a team. With huge camaraderie both in the boathouse and on the water, rowing brings discipline through focused training and creates huge pride and drive. The ethos of the Club is teamwork, commitment, discipline and fitness, all dusted with a sprinkle of magic. The Club is so much more than just pupils and boats and feels very much like a family, with everyone looking after each other. For the pupils, inspiration and motivation come from many places, from the coaches to OAs who have gone on to represent their country and University; from the 1st VIII to the coxes. The team and individual spirit lives on, with many OAs continuing to row after Abingdon or returning to row for Griffen, the OA’s rowing club. FASBC is unstinting in its desire and support of the ethos of the Club and the coaches who put in so much effort and time. Reputations endure and it is not surprising that FASBC’s support and hospitality at rowing events is legendary. To quote a former chair, ‘it is the best camaraderie I have ever witnessed amongst parents, boys and supporters.
Help us keep the welcome warm
I’d like to thank all the kind parents who help us put up and take down the tents and provide delicious food to supplement the FASBC spread.
Helping support the Boat Club is great fun but without continued commitment from parents on the committee we would not be able to keep the club going. We always welcome new committee members so if you could give a bit of time, please contact me at fasbc@abingdon.org.uk. By giving a small amount of time you can make a huge impact on the club.
If you would like to find out more or have any questions, please explore these webpages, or feel free to contact me. I hope to see you on a riverbank soon and wish you a fabulous time supporting your sons and the Boat Club throughout the season and during their years at Abingdon.
Chair FASBC
fasbc@abingdon.org.uk
If you have any questions, please contact the committee by email fasbc@abingdon.org.uk and include your year-group so we can forward the mail if necessary to the appropriate year-group rep.
If you want to find out more about joining our team of ‘customCollapseActive helpers’ (who help share the workload with things like: fundraising activities, marquee erection at regattas, catering, etc.), we’d be delighted to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to email us: fasbc@abingdon.org.uk
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