Acting as the probable side-by-side debut for quite a few young scullers around the UK, the Junior Sculling Regatta is a relatively new – and well-received – addition to the competition calendar. With the National Schools’ Regatta a mere three weeks’ away – an event which operates at the summit of junior rowing in this country – this weekend’s racing should serve as a good indicator of who we expect to be climbing the podium steps at Dorney at the end of May.
Walbrook Rowing Club
With two boats entered, we can expect the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head winners to be on fine form. Their nominal ‘B’ crew won the open junior 15 category at Dorney in March, so they will be keen to stamp their authority on proceedings on water they clearly enjoy rowing on. As a club not always renowned for producing top-class talent, it is heartening to see not one but two boats from Walbrook (their other crew finished 19th out of 51 in March) and it is well-trodden punditry ground to suggest that a strong ‘B’ crew will make the ‘A’ boat faster.
Windsor Boys School
So often the dominant force in schoolboy sculling, the fact that the Windsor Boys did not claim the title at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head will have rattled them somewhat. I expect them to arrive at Dorney this weekend with revenge on their mind. Expertly coached as part of Mark Wilkinson’s extraordinary system of success, they are the current holders of this event and actually secured a remarkable one-two in 2023, meaning their top two crews lead out the time trial.
Grange School
It’s a throwback but under Matt Jump about a decade ago, Grange had a few years of real prolific success in schoolboy sculling. The Ozsanlav-Harris brothers were dominant forces and actually secured a string of national medals, so to see Grange return to the summit of schoolboy sculling would be cyclical and gratifying indeed. They were joint-third in March, some 22 seconds off the pace, so some work will have to have been done over Easter to close the gap.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Third at the Hampton Head in February was followed up by a slightly underwhelming 16th at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, a result that this ever-present centre of excellence will want to improve upon. Although Maidenhead rarely find themselves in true medal contention for the top prizes, they’re more often than not part of the chasing pack and to elevate themselves beyond the confines of that ranking will require a series of myth-busting performances. Perhaps this weekend is the start.
Hereford Cathedral School
One of the fastest-rising stars in our rowing galaxy, Hereford have enjoyed rich success since bursting onto the domestic scene some five years ago. Their rampant J16 quad in 2021 put them firmly on the map but this junior 15 crew will be looking to make profound steps forward from their eighth-placed finish in March at Dorney. I always enjoy seeing new acts make an impression and Hereford have certainly done that, building a robust programme from almost nowhere.
Henley Rowing Club
The indomitable Henley are a clinic in how to cultivate depth and consistency in a club setting. Although their senior squad may not be currently scaling the lofty heights we’ve become accustomed to, it is fair to say that the conveyor belt of talent coming through has not slowed down. This crew were seventh at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head and start fifth on the docket this weekend. An A-final berth, and a charge for medals, would represent a good innings.
Mossbourne Rowing Academy
When I first started JRN, I travelled to Hackney to interview school principal Peter Hughes and talk to him about his vision for elite rowing at a state school. Fast forward nearly ten years and Mossbourne are now firmly cemented as a staple of junior rowing. Although they may not yet have won any senior national titles, consistent elite success takes time and there is no doubting that they’ve built a strong foundation. This crew were ninth at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head but were only five seconds back on fifth, so an A-final strikes me as within reach.
Prediction
Despite the fact that Walbrook arrive as nominal national title-holders, it is the Windsor Boys School who I fear the most. Their nous in a side-by-side format combined with the incredibly impressive track record that Mark and his coaches have developed means they’re my tilt for gold. I expect competitive showings from Grange, Henley and Hereford in the fight for bronze.
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