Mark Fangen-Hall was once part of the coaching set-up at Cambridge University Boat Club – but now he is plotting how to beat them.
Fangen-Hall, who served as an assistant coach at Goldie Boathouse between September 2001 and July 2005, has been appointed the new men’s head coach of Oxford University Boat Club.
He will transition into the role from his current tutoring position at Eton College in time for the 2025 Boat Race season.
The former Australia Women’s Eight Olympic and Great Britain Under-23s coach will be looking to overturn Cambridge’s recent dominance of the men’s race, with Oxford having triumphed just once from the last six meetings on the River Thames.
Fangen-Hall said: “It’s an honour to lead the men's coaching team at OUBC.
“It is a very exciting time for the club as the Men’s, Women’s and Lightweight teams come together as a single club.
“I am looking forward to bringing my experiences from around the world to Oxford and plan to bring victory and enjoyment in equal measure.”
Anna Troup, chair of Oxford University Boat Club, added: “I’m delighted that Mark has accepted the position as men’s head coach and look forward to him joining the club in July.
“He has tremendous experience to share as we seek to reinvigorate the club’s success.
“With Allan French leading our women’s programme and now, Mark leading the men’s programme, our athletes have much to look forward to over the coming Boat Race campaigns.”
Meanwhile, Cambridge’s rivals have also appointed Harry Brightmore as the new assistant coach of the men’s and women’s programmes.
Brightmore, who will cox the Team GB Men’s Eight at the Paris Olympics, said: “The Boat Race is such a special event and the chance to help all the teams prepare for it is a challenge that seriously excites me. I can’t wait.”
