Former rowing coach's mental health suffered after wrongful ban

The allegations related to the practice of weighing rowers and coxes at the university ahead of taking part in competitions.

But concerns were raised regarding “procedural irregularities” in the investigation by British Rowing and “proportionality” of its decision.

The governing body then referred the matter to an independent risk assessor and a newly constituted Case Management Group.

Both cleared Mr Spratley, saying that “no inappropriate conduct” had taken place and that he should not have been subject of any suspension or sanction of any kind.

British Rowing “acknowledges the errors” relating to the initial decision and has apologised to Mr Spratley for the “distress and hurt caused”.

Mr Spratley, from Hambleden, said: “It has been a very difficult time for me mentally with everything that has been going on for the last few months.

“I’m just really glad that it is now all behind me.”

Mr Spratley served as director of rowing at Oxford Brookes for 33 years and is widely regarded as transforming the boat club’s fortunes both on and off the water.

Twenty-four of his athletes have gone on to win Olympic medals, some of them gold, and has overseen 64 wins at Henley Royal Regatta.

Mr Spratley had stepped down from his role at Oxford Brookes in May last year and then British Rowing published notice of the ban against him four months later.

He said: “I ran the rowing program and there were some discussions among some of the athletes about the weighing guidance from the booklet that was stating you get weighed on a periodic basis but that never involved me and I never weighed anybody in my life.

“As far as I know, there were no allegations made against me to British Rowing, either before, after, or up to September.

“No one made any contact with me at all from me stepping down at Oxford Brookes in May, to when the statement was published in September, which obviously I found quite shocking to hear.

“I had no option but to try to work out what had happened and defend myself, which is exactly what I have been doing since September.” Mr Spratley was born in Henley and raised in Fawley. He fell in love with rowing after his mother Margaret took him to a taster session at Henley Rowing Club when he was 13.

After attending Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow, he went to Reading College to do a diploma in building and civil engineering.

He moved from Henley RC to Leander Club when he was 18 and went on to row at regattas across the world. He raced on finals day at Henley in 1982, competing in the Thames Cup.

After enjoying nearly 10 years with Leander, he decided to stop rowing, believing he was not quite good enough.

Mr Spratley, a father of two grown-up children, has worked as a builder all his life. He launched Spratley Studios in 2003, now known as Spratley & Partners.

The firm helped design the headquarters of watchmaker Bremont and the current facilities for Oxford Brookes, which he joined as a coach in 1991.

Mr Spratley has recently received several requests to continue coaching but he is yet to make up his mind on the future.

A statement from British Rowing said: “British Rowing acknowledges the errors in relation to the initial decision and apologises to Mr Spratley for the distress and hurt caused by the publication on September 17, 2025.

“The risk assessment and the Case Management Group have both recommended that Mr Spratley should not be subject to any suspension, nor sanction of any kind.

“British Rowing accepts this decision of the CMG and confirms that Mr Spratley is now free to take part in all activities under British Rowing’s jurisdiction.”

Oxford Brookes University Boat Club did not respond to a request for comment.