From training on the Thames to competing at the Olympics – Sam and Natasha Townsend share their story of going from teammates to soulmates.
Natasha and Sam’s love story began at the University of Reading, where they met through a shared passion for rowing. Now married with four children and successful rowing careers under their belts, they shared their memories with CONNECTED – from their time at University together to competing in the Olympics.
Almost love at first sight
It was 2004 when Sam and Natasha first crossed paths at the University of Reading Boat Club. Natasha was in her first year of studying fine art and had just began training with the team. Meanwhile Sam was balancing his degree in rural environmental science with full-time training and was already part of the World Class Start programme with British Rowing and training out of the University boathouse.
Although it was very much love at first sight for Sam, Natasha took some convincing. Sam recalled: “I knew I wanted to get to know Tasha after our first meeting. She had such a brilliant and fun personality.
I asked her out after training one day – she said no and pretty much ran off! Thankfully I asked again because, that time, she said yes and the rest is history.”
From early training sessions to nights out at the Students’ Union, their time at Reading was a well-rounded experience. Sam said: “Being part of the wider rowing squad at the Boat Club was great and we always loved representing the University whenever we could, particularly at BUSA [British Universities Sailing Association] Regatta, as it was then. We also managed to fit in good nights at the Union with friends alongside training.”
More than just a sport
Rowing was more than just a sport for Sam and Natasha – it was their passion and, ultimately, their career. Natasha, who began rowing at 11 inspired by her sister, has had an outstanding career. As a two-time Olympic finalist, Natasha represented Great Britain at Junior, Under-23 and Senior levels in the coxless four and women’s eight. She competed at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, achieving fifth place on both occasions, and won a World Championship bronze in 2011 in Slovenia.
She remembered: “Beijing was such a cool experience, being in a place so different and getting to explore afterwards.
The support we received in London was epic – it’s something I can’t imagine ever witnessing again.”
Sam’s journey has been equally impressive. Sam made history in 2013 as part of the team that won Great Britain’s first ever World Championship medal in the quadruple scull. He represented his country in the double scull at the London 2012 Olympic Games and in the quadruple scull in Rio in 2016, placing an impressive fifth on both occasions.
“The crowds in London were incredible,” Sam reflected. “Competing at a home Games is something I’ll never forget. The biggest highlights actually came in spending time with friends and family the week after and getting to watch some of the best athletes in the world compete in all manner of different sports.”
And the couple admits that it’s not just on the water that they’re competitive. Sam laughed: “We are quite competitive with each other. We do try to keep a lid on it but sometimes it just can’t be helped, neither of us particularly likes losing. We both avoid playing things that we know the other one is better at – not that we’d admit that to each other!”
Love and legacy
Over a decade after they first met at Reading, Sam and Natasha are still close to their rowing roots as they are both currently coaching the next generation whilst raising a family. Today, Sam is Head of Rowing and a geography teacher at Radley College, and Natasha leads a girls’ rowing programme at St Edward’s School. Sam and Natasha were lucky to find not just love at Reading, but also connections that shaped their lives. For both of them, the University of Reading Boat Club remains close to their hearts.
“The Boat Club was amazing,” Natasha shared. “They helped me keep up with my training and competing while studying. I was able to compete at GB trials and I also became U23 world champion whilst studying at Reading which is pretty cool and thanks to the amazing team and coaches.”
Sam agreed:
“I always felt immense pride in being part of the University of Reading Rowing Team and being supported by them and the University.
“I benefited from being granted extended time to complete my degree, as well as scholarships I was awarded which helped me balance the cost of being an athlete and studying.
“These Reading Boat Club and academic staff in particular – Will Rand, Ian Akhurst, Simon Mortimer, and Julian Park – were instrumental in helping towards my degree and facilitating me being able to train at a level that meant I competed for my country in all five of my years at Reading. I will always be very grateful to them for that.”
As they reflected on their own journey, they shared some advice for future student-athletes. Natasha said: “Ask for help if you need it, and enjoy both the training and the social side. Some of the best years of our lives were at Reading – as well as meeting each other, we’re also still in touch with our teammates 17 years later!”
Sam added: “Keep a balance in your life. Too much of one thing isn’t healthy. Treasure the friendships and opportunities that come your way.”
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