Metropolitan Regatta 2025 – Women’s Junior Eights Preview

After an eventful National Schools’ Regatta, the Women’s Junior Eights have had time to regroup and set their sights on Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. As part of the preparation, racing at the Metropolitan Regatta will be invaluable in terms of crew selection and trajectory for the summer. A notable absence this weekend is Shiplake College Boat Club, who took the top spot at the National Schools’ Regatta by six seconds. It will be interesting to see how other crews place without them.

Headington School Oxford Boat Club

After coming second in the Girls’ Championship Eights at the National Schools’ Regatta, Headington School Oxford Boat Club are the ones to beat this weekend. These girls will be drawing inspiration from last year’s success, after coming third at the National Schools’ Regatta, and peaking just in time for Henley Royal Regatta. If the strategy is similar, there is no doubt that Ryan Demaine’s crew will be battling for the win. Hopefully, they can put their wide range of international experience in the crew to use this weekend.

Henley Rowing Club

With Henley Rowing Club deciding to target the quad and coxed four at the National Schools’ Regatta, it will be interesting to see how they join together in their eight on the weekend. With an impressive third in the coxed four, and fifth in the quad, it is clear that Henley have the depth in their squad to put out an impressive eight. Their eight placed second at the Wallingford Regatta, and so it should be an exciting project for the squad.

Wallingford Rowing Club

After a punchy start to the season with a third place at Quintin Head, the progression of Wallingford Rowing Club may have slightly plateaued. With a fifth-place finish at the National Schools’ Regatta and fifth at Wallingford Regatta, this crew will be keen to make a leap in the run-up to Henley Royal Regatta, which can start this weekend. With the racing passion evidenced by their races early on in the season, if they manage to channel it this weekend, I’m sure they will produce a performance to challenge for a podium this weekend.

Tideway Scullers School

After placing second in the B-final in the eight at the National Schools’ Regatta, Tideway Scullers School will want to draw inspiration from their teammates, who won the championship quad at the same event. Having such a large squad will place the Tideway Scullers in a good position this weekend. After winning the junior eight pennant at the Women’s Eights Head of the River back in March, this crew will need to capture that energy in the race this weekend. They have the potential to go far, so hopefully racing at the Metropolitan Regatta will provide them an opportunity to test their limits.

Latymer Upper School Boat Club

After coming sixth at Wallingford Regatta and building on this to come fourth at the National Schools’ Regatta, it is safe to say Latymer Upper School Boat Club are looking to peak in time for Henley Royal Regatta. Seeing their efforts being rewarded after finishing only ten seconds away from a medal at the National Schools’ Regatta, Latymer Upper will be heading into the Metropolitan Regatta with a point to prove. If they keep building on their performances, there is no doubt in my mind that they will be at the front of the pack this weekend.

Prediction

Given that there has only been a week since the National Schools’ Regatta, I predict Headington School Oxford to win this weekend. I don’t think Henley or Latymer Upper will make it an easy fight, so keep your eyes peeled for potential disruption to the previous order.