🎙️ To The Bar: Episode 111 – The Club Cup Revolution | Henry Woodason & Przemek Borak on Redefining Competitive Weightlifting | Strength in Every Story
Meet the visionary coaches shaking up UK weightlifting! Join Aaron and Jess as they sit down with Henry Woodason (Guildford Weightlifting Club) and Przemek Borak (Hampshire Barbell Club) to unpack British Weightlifting’s groundbreaking Club Cup—a grassroots initiative designed to smash barriers, fuel camaraderie, and build a brighter future for the sport.
Meet the Coaches:
- Przemek Borak: Polish junior European silver medalist turned master coach. Started lifting at 8 years old under his father’s guidance, retired to build Hampshire Barbell Club in 2017, and now mentors athletes who compete “purely for the love of the sport.”
- Henry Woodason: From rugby dreams derailed by injury to British Masters contender & Guildford WL founder. A CrossFit convert turned BWL Level 2 coach, he’s on a mission to make competitions accessible for every lifter—no elite totals required.
Inside the Club Cup Trial:
- What Is It?: A team-based league where 8 Southern clubs (Hampshire Barbell, Guildford WL, Woking WL, and more) battle across 4 rounds. Points are scored via Sinclair/Meltzer-Faber coefficients—no BWL membership needed, just passion!
- Why It Matters: “Most lifters never reach English Champs totals—this gives them a stage,” says Henry. Przemek adds: “It’s about community, not just kilos.”
- The Rules: 6 lifters per team (3M/3F), one referee, weigh-ins 1 hour before lifting. Top 2 male/female scores decide each round.
- Bigger Vision: Could this pilot spark a UK-wide league? The duo shares lessons from Round 1 (April 2024) and their push for regional/national expansion.
Why Listen?
- Coaching Wisdom: Przemek’s “old-school Polish rigor” meets Henry’s “compete early, compete often” philosophy.
- Grassroots Truths: Why 90% of new competitors vanish—and how the Club Cup keeps them hooked.
- Masters Magic: Both coaches (and their athletes) prove age is no barrier—Henry’s prepping for Worlds, Przemek’s lifters defy “retirement.”
👉 Watch the Full Episode Here: https://youtu.be/gnVDA_Et5kE?si=wXrxJng8tCXl2I9w
Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or Amazon—and tag #StrengthInEveryStory to shout out your club or debate the future of weightlifting comps!