This year’s Bernard and Pauline Churcher Cup promises one of the most open and exciting races of Henley Women’s Regatta 2025. With 26 entries and the absence of Mortlake Anglian & Alpha, City of Oxford, and Upper Thames — the top three from time trials in 2024 — a door has opened for fresh talent and new names to rise to the fore in the aspirational single sculls.
Hartpury University & College
A Junior 17 powerhouse in her first eligible year to race this category, Matilda Hudson-Hulls may be one of the youngest in the field, but she brings a wealth of experience that should not be overlooked. She has ample sculling accolades, previously racing Henley Royal Regatta 2024 in a quad, whilst also winning the Junior 16 coxless quad event at National Schools’ Regatta and winning a bronze a few months later at British Championships – all in the same year. This year, she has also seen similar sculling success, obtaining a silver at the 2025 Oarsport Junior Sculling Head in a coxless quad and, notably, placing ninth at GB Junior Trials in April, indicating that her speed in a quad can be quickly translated to the single scull. Her youth belies her racing maturity, and she could be a serious threat.
Nottingham Rowing Club
Ella Weeks, although perhaps slightly more novice, shows extreme potential. This potential has been recognised as she is part of the British Rowing performance development academy. Although this means she has a more limited history of results, she did obtain a silver in the women’s beginner single at BUCS Regatta 2024, a fourth in the women’s intermediate single this year, and looks as if she will be showing off her improvements even further in this event. Just a month ago, she won at Nottingham spring regatta, so she looks to be on form. Nottingham was one of the only clubs in this lineup to reach the semifinals in 2023, and Weeks could push further through than this.
Reading University
Isobel Burridge is no stranger to Henley, having raced in the aspirational quad for The Chairman’s Trophy in 2023. Although she also appears to have raced in the intermediate quad this year at BUCS Head, her form in singles is solid enough, evidenced by a fourth-place time trial finish in the U23 single at The Metropolitan Regatta a few weeks ago. Confident and consistent, she may be one to glide quietly into the later rounds.
Vesta Rowing Club
Imogen Maxwell has her name out there this season. She won the women’s single sculls at the 2025 Scottish Rowing Championships by two seconds, obtaining the Amanda Cobb trophy. She seemed to be part of a development four that entered the Frank V Harry Cup at Henley Women’s Regatta last year, but looks to have made a smooth transition over to her single scull. This is confirmed by the fact that she placed fifth in the time trial of championship singles at The Metropolitan Regatta a few weeks ago, which suggests she’s well-placed to make a statement in Henley’s side-by-side format.
Llandaff Rowing Club
Ellie Postlethwaite brings versatile experience, having represented Wales at the 2024 Home International Regatta in both the women’s double and quad. It will be interesting to see how much speed she can produce in her single down the iconic Henley course, and whether she events in a single can become another feather to her bow. She also dabbled in offshore rowing – a sign of broad strength and adaptability that could serve her well over the 1500m.
Neptune Rowing Club, Ireland
Niamh Kilgallen is the only returning name in this lineup and therefore appears to have a point to prove. She finished fourth in the time trial and reached the quarterfinals in 2024, signalling even greater things to come this year. A proven Irish international and indoor champion, she will be eyeing a deeper run this time around and could be one of the top contenders if she utilises both her power and experience to her advantage.
University of Saint Andrews
Hansine Marshall appears to be a rowing scholar at St. Andrews, making her an immediate threat. This is supported by her standout performance at BUCS Regatta. She won the women’s beginner single by nearly 14 seconds out of 41 entries. She also won the beginner double and clinched bronze in beginner quads, making her the key component of a quick boat. Additionally, whilst she won the women’s novice single at the Scottish Spring Regatta this year, she also made a name for herself further down South by winning the senior women’s category at the Olympic Pathway Regatta in April. There is no doubt that she will be on the radar for many of the women set to oppose her during this event.
Sudbury Rowing Club
Sophie Brown brings valuable para-rowing experience, having represented England an astonishing eight times in the PR2 single. She won silver at the 2024 British Rowing Championships in the same event and is now taking on the Bernard Churcher Trophy for the first time. Her almost habitual ability to perform in high-pressure races could be an advantage.
Predictions
With an open field and no clear favourite, the 2025 Bernard Churcher Trophy is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable events of the regatta, making it one of the best by nature, with every stroke a single sculler takes having a significant impact on the outcome of the race. The standout women seem to be the likes of Hansine Marshall (University of St. Andrews), Imogen Maxwell (Vesta RC), and Niamh Kilgallen (Neptune RC, Ireland). However, with such a new range of clubs entering this event and the varied experience of the women within, this remains anyone’s game.
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