Otago University Students Association president Edwin Darlow says it is "very disappointing" the Otago University Rowing Club has elected to boycott the annual Blues function.
The Otago Daily Times revealed yesterday the rowers were refusing to attend the sports awards tonight because they did not agree with a name change for the Blues.
Formerly known as the University of Otago Blues, they are now called the OUSA Blues, the relabelling reflecting the students association's input into the awards.
Darlow, in an email responding to questions from the newspaper, confirmed the name change happened last year.
The OUSA was disappointed rowing would not nominate athletes for Blues this year and was boycotting the function.
"The rowing club's decision is obviously very disappointing for OUSA," Darlow said.
None of the university's other sports clubs had indicated it was unhappy with the name change.
The OUSA executive had made an "appropriate" decision to rename the Blues, Darlow said.
The Blues are being presented at an awards dinner at the Otago Museum atrium from 6.30pm.
