National Schools’ Regatta 2025 – Girls’ Championship Doubles Preview

The National Schools’ Regatta is the epitome of high-standard domestic junior racing. This year, it has moved from the traditional Dorney lake to what some may argue is the rowing lake with the least predictable conditions in the UK: Holme Pierrepont. One of the most highly sought-after events is the championship girls’ doubles. It is a fast and punchy race, with all the athletes involved striving to lift the Beryl Crockford Bowl.

Rob Roy Rowing Club

Placing fourth in the B-final of last year’s double at this very event, I feel this National Schools’ Regatta will be an entirely different story for the Rob Roy Rowing Club crew. After climbing the standings to an A-final finish at the British Junior Championships 2024, these girls are heading onwards and upwards. Coming from a smaller, lesser-known club can always be daunting, especially heading into widely entered events such as the National Schools’ Regatta. One thing is evident, however, that these girls do not let this affect them or their racing. Recently, this crew have become the top competitor in this category. After losing out in a sprint for the line against the RGS crew at the Junior Sculling Regatta, I know these girls will want to build on their bronze medal and take it further heading into the final.

Yarm School Boat Club

Yet another J17 crew taking the leap into the championship category is Bell and White. A school based in the Northeast of England, Yarm School Boat Club has remained quietly at work over the years. These two have pushed hard over the past season, rising from a 16th-place finish in the time trial to a four-second lead in the final of the women’s Junior 17 double at the subsequent Junior Sculling Regatta. To make such a drastic change over one year shows pure grit and determination. If this is transferred over the rounds of racing these girls will face this weekend, they will surely make waves in the pack. It will be exciting to see the youngblood rise through the ranks and see if they have what it takes against incredibly experienced crews.

Wycliffe College Boat Club

This season has been like no other for the Wycliffe College Boat Club athletes. Though usually seen in the quad, these girls have branched out into the smaller boats and are gunning for a top spot. In bow, Smalley is only Junior 16 but is not to be underestimated. Competing as the single sculler for WAGS and Wales at the Junior Interregional Regatta, she has trained alongside and picked up much of the knowledge of the long line of talented scullers at her club. Whitehead is a new addition to the squad this season, coming into the programme after being a valuable member of the Welsh Junior eight at last year’s Home International Regatta. Together, these two make a strong double and coinciding with their top-tier training, I am sure they will be nipping at the heels of their opposition.

Royal Grammar School Worcester

When I saw that this pairing was entered, I knew the racing would be high-class. This RGS Worcester outfit is composed of Whiteley and Hodgson, two very talented scullers in their own right. This double should be heading into the weekend with one thing on their mind: the gold. Both these girls have great experience rowing in rough conditions, because of their many GB beach sprint vests, meaning they will be ready and raring for whatever wind or waves are thrown at them. Hodgson leads the charge from the stroke seat, who last summer didn’t just compete at the World Beach sprints but was also selected to be part of the U19 Coupe de la Jeunesse quad. These girls know how to race well, as shown by their many medals together, recently clinching the silver from rivals Rob Roy at the Junior Sculling Regatta. Having both the edge over the competition in adaptability and psychology, knowing they have beaten many of the crews before, I think these girls have a solid chance.

Honourable Mentions

The pair from Peterborough City Rowing Club placed sixth in the A-final of the Junior Sculling Regatta, with this feat already proving their competitive standing amongst some of the field racing this weekend. Another exciting prospect is the duo from Warrington Rowing Club. Stroke seat Fontana competed as the Welsh Junior ‘B’ single at the Home International Regatta, showcasing her sculling ability. She and her partner will be sure to give the rest of the entries a run for their money. Though both are racing in an age group up, the crew from Trafford Rowing Club is evidently up for the challenge. Placing sixth in the A-final of their category in the double scull at Junior Sculling Regatta a few weeks ago, they are prepared to make the step up.

Prediction

I believe it will be very much the Royal Grammar School Worcester and Rob Roy rivalry on display, sprinting to the line for that top podium position. I expect the latter will be bested again, and the girls from Royal Grammar School will take it. Though this may sound like it closes many of the podium opportunities, I feel the rest of the field will fight for the bronze, with the Wycliffe double just rising above them all.

This year, this event is dominated by many smaller clubs, which always adds uncertainty to my predictions; however, it also creates excitement. Will any of these fresh faces have what it takes to beat what seem to be the titans of the championship double, Royal Grammar School and Rob Roy?