Who shapes the future of women’s rowing?

Lessons we can take away from the Eni Akulo – Ian Wright dispute

When Eni Aluko publicly called out Ian Wright for blocking women from getting opportunities in football punditry, it landed with force. Wright, widely seen as one of women’s football’s most consistent and genuine allies, was accused of “throwing her under the bus” after he failed to intervene to stop a wave of online abuse Aluko received. Some felt the call-out was poignant, maybe too poignant. But her frustration came from somewhere real.

Allyship in women’s sport can often appear solid, especially when the message is clear-cut and the stakes are low. But its strength is better measured in the quieter, more complicated moments, the ones that ask for discomfort, not just solidarity. That complexity doesn’t only surface the fabric of sport itself: in the voices we prioritise, the language we use, and how closely we’re really paying attention when women compete. 

Rowing, like many sports, isn’t immune to this by any means. 

From football to rowing: the commentary divide

Aluko’s experience speaks to a wider truth across women’s sport: men are often happy to stand beside women, until standing with them requires risk. That dynamic isn’t limited to public spats or online discourse; it shows up in quieter places too, like race commentary. In rowing, particularly at women-led events like Henley Women’s Regatta (HWR), the contrast in how men’s and women’s races are discussed is striking.

At Henley Royal Regatta (HRR), analysis appears more thought-out. It’s more analytically layered and specific – a blend of technical breakdowns, strategic calls, and insights into the mental edge needed to win. At HWR, coverage often slips into soft-focus sentiment; two of my favourites from HWR 2022 were “They’re rowing really well” and “What a lovely day on the water”.

Pleasant words, sure, but lacking the kind of insight that signals serious sport. Commentary that lacks specificity is more than just bland. It subtly downplays the athleticism and skill on display. And for many athletes, HWR isn’t just a milestone, it’s the pinnacle of their season. Shouldn’t the way we talk about it reflect that?

The power (and problem) of male voices

When I first saw the fallout between Aluko and Wright, I couldn’t help but look to rowing’s equivalents. Ian Wright, known for his vocal support of women’s football, has a huge presence in the sporting world. It would be almost as if someone were to level the same accusation at Martin Cross or Robert Treharne Jones in the rowing world, voices whose commitment to the sport, and to raising its profile, are hard to deny.

Men like Cross and Treharne Jones have been pivotal in making rowing commentary engaging and accessible. Their passion is undeniable, and experience adds richness. Speaking to an anonymous commentator, we discussed that many male commentators today may walk a fine line when commentating as a man on a women’s race. A fine line between offering insight and fearing they’ll be accused of overstepping. That it’s “too analytical”. That fear often results in commentary that is overly neutral, or worse, disengaged.

Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that we need more female pundits in commentary – and that the media industry must work harder to create spaces where women feel welcome, supported, and confident stepping behind the mic – I find it almost satirical when some suggest that men should be excluded from commentating on women’s racing. You wouldn’t dream of saying that women shouldn’t commentate on men’s sport. The principle has to be consistency and credibility.

In my view, good commentary isn’t about gender. It’s about knowledge. 

It’s about doing the prep, understanding the nuances of the sport, and having the ability to translate performance into language that educates, excites, and respects the athletes on screen. That applies whether the voice is male or female.

The problem isn’t that men are commentating on women’s rowing, it’s when they do it half-heartedly, vaguely, or with an outdated lens. And the solution isn’t to sideline them, but to hold them and all commentators, both male and female alike, to a higher standard. Because when someone knows the sport inside-out, puts in the time to understand the field, and speaks with insight and respect, that’s the kind of commentary that elevates the event, regardless of the voice it comes from.

Athletes want commentary that reflects the depth of their training, the stakes of the race, and the complexity of their craft. It’s not about having only women commentate on women’s rowing. It’s about having informed, invested voices behind the mic. When commentary is reduced to vague niceties or overlooks key moments, it signals that the sport – and the women in it – aren’t being taken seriously.

HWR: developmental or elite?

There’s an ongoing tension in how HWR is perceived. For some crews, it’s a stepping stone to HRR or later GB trials. For others, it’s the final, and most important, event of the year. When commentators unconsciously lean into that hierarchy, giving more focus to known programmes or dismissing some races as “developmental”, this reinforces the outdated idea that women’s sport is always building towards something else, rather than standing on its own.

Writer and coach Sam Mitchell has argued in his recent article, Stop watching in silence, men have a duty to speak out too, that HWR should be treated as a premier cultural and sporting moment in its own right. Thousands of athletes train all year to race there. If the commentary treats it as second-tier, that ripples through audience perception and athlete experience.

Solutions: commentary as respect

So what needs to change? First, preparation. Commentators should approach women’s racing with the same depth of research, enthusiasm, and insight they would for any elite sporting event. Male voices are welcome, but not if they sound like they’re playing it safe. Women’s voices need not just opportunity, but support and training to grow into analyst roles, not just descriptive ones.

Organisers, especially of women-led events like HWR, should invest in commentary teams that match the calibre of competition. Because the way we talk about sport becomes the way it’s remembered.

Allyship in sport isn’t just about standing beside women – it’s about speaking up with them, when it matters. And sometimes, it’s about handing them the mic.

About The Author