The Schools’ Head of the River is the annual pinnacle of junior head racing, held along the 4.5-mile course between Chiswick and Putney Road Bridge. The Women’s Championship eight event looks as exciting as ever, marking the return to this competition after a two-year hiatus from the full-fledged and exciting competition it historically is. Within this event, there are ten crews racing which will hopefully give us some tense racing.
Henley Rowing Club
If there is one word to describe Henley’s performances in this year’s head race season it would be consistent. With wins in the eight at Quintin Head, Hammersmith Head and Henley Fours and Eights and three wins in fours and quads at fours head, there is no doubt in the strength of Henley this year. Henley have won these events by considerable margins, most recently by eight seconds at Hammersmith Head, showing their programme seems to be driving in producing these results and hence will arguably place them as favourites on race day.
Surbiton High School
Since becoming finalists at Henley Royal Regatta in the summer, Surbiton High School has continued to grow in strength. Placing second at Quintin Head and third at Henley Fours and Eights, the crew will be looking to close this gap between Henley whilst producing another confident performance. Furthermore, Surbiton are backed by a crew stacked with Henley Royal Regatta finalists and winners from the J16 four at Henley Women’s Regatta which provides vital experience in racing at a high calibre.
St Edwards School
Historically a smaller programme for girls rowing, this 2021/22 season has marked a new era for St Edwards School’s on the girl’s side with the re-emergence of a competitive eight for the first time since 2016. Despite the lack of rhythm in boating eights, they look a force to be reckoned with following a second-placed finish at Hammersmith Head, after placing fourth at Quintin Head in January (a significant margin reduction on contemporaries Henley Rowing Club). If this growing success and speed is anything to go by, this eight is one to keep an eye on coming down the track.
Headington School
Historically Headington School have a well-earned reputation of producing strong eights who know what it takes to win at the highest level. Coming into 2022, this unit are relatively unknown having not competed a great deal on the domestic circuit. Placing 3rd at Quintin by less than a second, the crew will be hoping to build on this performance and likely will be leaning on their winning crew members from the Junior Women’s Eight (now the Prince Phillip Challenge Cup) at Henley Royal Regatta to provide this experience.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
Another crew competing at the top end of this event will be the Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH). Under new management following the departure of Anthony Smith to the hot-seat at the University of London, they have shown their strong racing capabilities by placing second at the Fours Head and fourth at Hammersmith Head. Like many crews, LEH will be fighting to move further up the results table which, following a second successive victory in the Girl’s Championship Eight at the National Schools’ Regatta last summer, should provide some exciting competition
Aberdeen Schools RA
Unlike their competition, the eight from Aberdeen Schools RA have not had a chance to compete on this unique stretch of the Thames so far this season. Recent regional success shows a crew in form though, after picking up wins in both the Coxed Four and Coxless Quad at Aberdeen Fours Head. This group of girls hail from a program which consistently produces well-oiled, well-drilled athletes, who form crews that are often more than the sum of their parts. Indeed, two members of the boat raced at the GB Early ID Trials in November. This will arguably give added experience and strength to this eight coming into the race.
Wimbledon High School Boat Club
A new entrant to the top table of junior women’s rowing but a very welcome one at that. These girls took a few by surprise in winning the WJ Eight category at Hampton Head and their program looks to be picking up speed – in every sense of the word. They won two silver medals at J16 and J16 level at the National Schools’ Regatta in May last year and now are turning on the style at the business end of junior rowing. Can they topple the likes of Henley, Headington and Surbiton? It might be a step too far at this early stage (especially given how young this crew probably are) but certainly a name to watch out for moving forward.
Predictions
From their recent successes, it is no surprise that Henley RC look to be favourites for the win in the Women’s Championship Eights 2022. It looks to be an exciting fight for podium positions between the crews of Surbiton High school, St Edwards School, Headington School, Lady Eleanor Holles and Aberdeen Schools RA after their recent performances and reputation of the crews and clubs racing.
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