It’s been a great start to the 2025/26 season, with GBRT Early ID trials demonstrating who is at the top of their game at the moment. These crews, whether they be underdogs or fan-favourites, are likely to bring a new kind of heat to junior racing in the UK this year.
Headington School – Junior 18 Eight
Arguably one of the most successful schoolgirl rowing establishments in the world, Headington has won three out of the past five Prince Philip Challenge Trophies at Henley Royal Regatta, most notably breaking the record this summer. Despite several of their rowers having left, we can expect another strong season from Headington, as shown by their performance at the inaugural Junior Fours Head, where both the coxless four and coxed four claimed gold.
Shiplake College – Junior 18 Eight
Shiplake have proved to be the rising star of schoolgirl rowing over the past couple of years, going from only qualifying for The Prince Phillip Challenge Trophy in 2022 to making it to the final in 2025 and winning the championship girls’ eight title at National Schools Regatta this year by seven seconds over Headington. With their rowing programme going from strength to strength, I think it’s fair to say that they have the potential to do great things this season.
Marlow Rowing Club – Junior 18 Quad
With three athletes from the 2025 U19 World Rowing Championships in Marlow’s junior squad, their first quad will be a force to be reckoned with, as shown by their result at Head of the Charles Regatta 2025, where they had resounding success over close rivals, Tideway Scullers, and international opposition. In addition, Marlow also triumphed over Wycliffe College and Scullers at Junior Fours Head. As shown by their performance in the final of The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup at Henley last season, Marlow are strong contenders for all the major titles this year. The question is, do they have enough to overcome the power of Wycliffe?
Glasgow Rowing Club – Junior 17 Single
Caitlin Warnock of Glasgow Rowing Club has had a fantastic J16 season, having come second at the British Rowing Club Championships 2025 in the women’s Junior 16 single and Junior Inter-Regional Regatta. She’s only built on this success by winning the Scottish edition of the November GB Trials. With Reynolds, formerly of Hartpury College, more likely to be racing in an eight this year due to having just moved to St Edward’s School, Oxford, Warnock has the potential to take her place as the fastest junior sculler in her age group.
