It’s that time of year again where students gather from across the country to take to the gruelling 5km stretch of the infamous Tyne river, to participate in one of the biggest events in university rowing. With over 30 entries and plenty of last year’s top-spot holders returning – along with many new faces hoping to steal their glory – the Intermediate Women’s Quads event is set to be a fierce fight.
University of Birmingham Boat Club
First up, last year’s winners, University of Birmingham Boat Club, have two crews lined up in the hopes of taking home the title yet again. With only Erin Meredith returning from last year’s champion crew, it will be interesting to see if this new combination can match up. The club have pulled off their fair share of medal winning performances in sweep events in recent months, but limited information about this crew means their performance in this category is less predictable, but certain to be highly anticipated to see if BUBC can stay on top.
University of Bath Boat Club
After taking home a bronze medal in this event last year, University of Bath Boat Club have two crews entered in the hopes of occupying the top end of table again. Phoebe Horan returns to be joined this time by Hollie Creasy, Lottie Henden and Sienna Black making up the ‘B’ crew, whilst Sarah Pannell and Emma Leslie join Ella Fullman and Rebekah Court to form the A crew.
A new addition to the Bath team this year, Ella Fullman has already made plenty waves across the national and international scenes. Finishing as U21 runner up at the recent GB trials, Fullman finished off her junior career in spectacular fashion last year, with highlights including making her international debut for Great Britain at Munich Junior Regatta in May and bringing home a gold medal in the Junior Women’s singles at Coupe de la Jeunesse only a few months later. Rebekah Court has been an asset to Bath over the past few years, aiding them in securing gold in the quad at BUCS Regatta, as well as a position in the final of the Aspirational Coxless Quadruple Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta last summer.
If the apparent experience or their recent performances are anything to go by, Bath are set to give Birmingham a run for their money, and will certainly be in contention for medals in this event.
Newcastle University Boat Club
In need of little introduction, Newcastle University Boat Club are hoping to make the most of their home water advantage and top the table across this competition. Following last year’s silver medal performance, the Blue Star have three crews on this start list, and as the depth of the NUBC squad is no well-kept secret, it’s easy to assume that with their faster crews occupying the Championship categories, the door is open for that talent to shine through across these teams. No strangers to the Tyne, or a BUCS medal, many will be expecting impressive performances from all three of these crews, and multiple medals are well within reach.
Honorable Mentions
Crews from both Loughborough Students’ Rowing Club and Sheffield University Rowing Club have both seen recent success locally, with strong performances at Peterborough and Newark Heads, so they’ll be looking forward to seeing where they stand on the national stage. Another crew to watch is the team from Glasgow University Boat Club who have had a successful season so far, with wins at both Clyde Three Heads as well as the Band 2 Women’s Quads on this course at Rutherford Head.
Prediction
Spoilt for choice with crews who have potential to secure a win, predicting a winner is a tough call but top contenders are sure to be the crews from Bath and local university Newcastle; Birmingham also – despite not having many returners from last year’s winning boat – will be keen to keep a strong hold on that title.
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