Since the writing of this preview the Henley Fours and Eights Head 2025 has been cancelled. This preview was written with the assumption that the event would go underway.
With the start of the regatta season looming on the far horizon, the 2025 head season is well underway. This weekend brings 3000m along the infamous Henley-on-Thames stretch with 11 crews making up the Junior 16 women’s quadruple sculls event, with a number of talented crews.
Marlow Rowing Club
These athletes are no strangers to high-level competition, as proven by their outstanding set of previous results which solidify themselves as ones to keep an eye on in the future. At National Schools’ Regatta 2024, a Women’s Junior 15 coxed quad of Marlow Rowing Club rowers collected the second place medal, and then shortly after picked up another silver at the British Rowing Junior Championships – also in the coxed quads. Clearly, Marlow Rowing Club has an experienced and skilled bunch of scullers who are surely in the running to top their event this weekend.
Henley Rowing Club
Another club familiar with the racecourse, Henley Rowing Club, are among the favourites for the win at their home event, and they are known closely for their fiery competitive spirit and close rivalry with the other clubs competing this weekend. Reflecting on the past results of the Junior 16 women’s squad, Henley Rowing Club dominated the Junior 15 eights category at National Schools’ Regatta, sculled themselves to the bronze medal in the Junior 15 coxed quad at the British Rowing Junior Championships, and most recently celebrated a victory in the Women’s Junior 16 coxless quads at Henley Long Distance Sculls back in November. I am sure that this crew are more than capable of earning the top place on Saturday.
Molesey Boat Club
Just downstream of the course is the historical Molesey Boat Club whose juniors regularly make appearances at events including Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta, and the prestigious Coupe de la Jeunesse Regatta. Their quadruple scull crew will surely be fighting among the pool of talent, due to their strong performances at national events, including a third place finish in the C-final of the Women’s Junior 15 coxed quads at National Schools’ Regatta 2024. I am confident in saying that this Molsey Boat Club crew are strong contenders in the upcoming battle that we are likely to see in Henley.
Putney High School Boat Club
Priding themselves on being the first all female boat club on the embankment, Putney High School Boat Club are entering two crews into Saturday’s event. The boat club often impresses at national and international competition, with a Junior 16 appearance this year at the GB early ID trials, and past successes include wins at Teddington Head and a silver medal at Junior Inter-Regional Regatta in the Women’s Junior 15 coxed quads. Clearly, Putney High School Boat Club will have the win in their reach if they perform up to the standards shown in their previous medal-earning rows.
Prediction
After some consideration, I can predict that Henley Rowing Club will be triumphant this weekend, with Marlow Rowing Club narrowly taking the second-place spot, then followed by Molesey Boat Club and Putney High School Boat Club – all delivering a high quality performance.
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