The official start to 2025 domestic junior racing is here, kicking off the campaigns for many crews leading into Henley Royal Regatta and the National Schools’ Regatta. On the prestigious Championship course, the Schools’ Head of the River is a prime place to test whether winter miles have paid off. Featuring some of the top crews from across the UK, the girl’s first Junior 16 eight is no different.
Putney High School Boat Club
After being unable to compete at Henley Fours and Eights Head due to its unfortunate cancellation, Putney High School Boat Club should now be gunning for a podium finish. With a respectable second and fourth-place finish in the women’s Junior 15 first/second eights at last year’s National Schools’ Regatta, I think this highlights their potential to be a competitive crew. However, like many of the crews racing in this category, the pressure of replicating their school’s previous success is on their shoulders. This eight’s predecessors were part of an outstanding pack of three (putting almost 30 seconds between third and the remainder of the draw) at last year’s Schools’ Head of the River. Despite this, I think this crew has what it takes to step onwards and upwards heading into Tuesday.
Kingston Grammar School Boat Club
Leading the pack down the iconic Championship course, this group of girls should be doing so with the utmost confidence. A constant A/B finalist crew all last season, I hope these girls have stepped up to Junior 16 level in style. Kingston Grammar School is a club that produces excellent crews in sculling and sweeping disciplines. One of these crews was on the podium at the 2024 Schools’ Head of the River, with less than a second separating them and the winner. After a long winter of cancelled events, these girls will be primed and ready to race hard. They will find very well-matched crews around them, leading me to predict some suspenseful racing and even closer margins.
Sir Willams Perkins School Boat Club
Another historically strong squad comes in the form of Sir William Perkins. Producing phenomenal athletes in both disciplines is evident in the form of the SWP athletes selected to represent GB at the U19 World Rowing Championships last summer. There is no doubt that this crew is full of outstanding rowers looking up to their older role models for guidance. However, due to the poor weather and flooding, it is difficult to find much information on what this crew has done so far this season. Though frustrating for crews who would have wanted to gain more experience before important events, it could lead to some exciting racing.
Notable Mentions
The field in this year’s event seems heavily stacked with strong contenders. This is seen in the Kings School Chester crew, who have previously placed sixth in the B-final of the women’s Junior 15 eight at last year’s National Schools’ Regatta. Emanuel School are another example, placing sixth in this race last season, demonstrating aptitude on their home course.
Prediction
Though many of these crews have a fighting chance this year, I think Putney High School Boat Club will take the eventual top spot. Similarly to last year, I think the following two crews of Sir William Perkins and Kingston Grammar will finish in quick succession, with the latter using their experience for good to clinch the silver medal. However, nothing is set in stone, especially with the unforgiven conditions of the Tideway playing a part.
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