National Schools’ Regatta 2025 – Girls’ Championship Pairs Preview

The time is finally here – National Schools’ Regatta 2025. This year marks the beginning of an exciting new era in Nottingham. With 22 crews fighting it out for the Leander Cup, a trophy renowned for bringing together large and small clubs from all across the country, I’m excited to see who will emerge victorious on Sunday, especially in a year with such fierce and talented competition.

Walton Rowing Club – Holly Weddell & Bella Hornzee

A pair packed with potential, Walton bring a wealth of race practice: from strong trials performances to a B-final at the 2024 National Schools’ Regatta and a Pairs Head win. With previous international representation in the GB France team, they’re not short on pedigree. More importantly, though, this looks like a well-matched and well-prepared crew who I’m sure will be desperate to cross the finish line first this weekend.

Nottingham and Union Rowing Club – Amie Page & Phoebe Forward

Returning to the pairs field after a strong fourth-place in the same event last year, the girls from Nottingham and Union bring valuable experience to the field, with GB trials and GB vs France experience. Though they’ve seemingly switched sides since last year, the continuity in their partnership remains a strength they have above their competition. If they have used the season well, there is every chance they will be in the mix for medals.

Wycliffe College – Bella McDonald & Georgina Joy

A name that needs little introduction, Wycliffe is renowned for their formidable sculling program, which has scored these girls a range of strong trial results and high-level finishes, including first in the A-final of the second quad at the National Schools’ Regatta last year. However, a sculling-heavy background does not always transfer to sweep, but we know to expect the unexpected from these girls. This pair is packed with power and experience—if they’ve nailed their technical cohesion in the pair, I expect them to be right up there with the top pairs in the A-final.

Kew House Boat Club – Charlotte Taylor-Aubery & Ava Thurnham

Kew House spotlights Charlotte Taylor-Aubery with notable sweep experience from the Kew first eight, who achieved a place in the B-final at last year’s National Schools’ Regatta. Alongside her will be Ava Thurnham, who wants to make an impression in a smaller boat after winning silver in the GB eight at the U19 World Rowing Championships. Charlotte’s 31st-place finish at November trials highlights her strength – and Ava’s quality speaks for itself – but the synergy between both athletes will define their result. With Kew’s girls’ squad in recent years proving their training out on the regatta courses, they’ve proven their competitiveness—now it’s about whether they can transfer their evident strength in the eight into the pair.

King’s School Worcester – Rebecca Nosworthy & Amelia Venables

This King’s Worcester duo were part of the A-final in the coxless four at last year’s National Schools’ Regatta, finishing sixth—a result that reflects not just talent but their ability to perform under pressure. Their background in a coxless four will serve them well in the pair, showing they can perform among the top crews. If their pairing has continued to develop technically, they could pose a real threat this year.

Canford School – Freya Coupe & Maddie Woodcock

Canford has a solid foundation in both sculling and sweep disciplines. Freya Coupe’s appearances at November and February trials show individual speed, while their collective effort in the B-final of the girls’ first eight at the National Schools’ Regatta demonstrates their crew cohesion. Though perhaps flying slightly under the radar compared to others, this duo should not be discounted. If they have gelled in the pair, they will definitely be in for the challenge for the top spot.

St George’s College – Lexie Cooke & Savannah

St George’s brings together two rowers with experience across multiple boat classes and proven success. Savannah Chowdhury notably won a bronze medal in the coxless four at the National Schools’ Regatta last year, whilst Lexie Cooke raced at November trials despite still being J16. Their combination of power and race experience will make them an exciting crew to watch. If they have clicked in the pair, they could challenge some of the more established duos in the field.

Predictions

A small boat category such as this never fails to bring together a variety of crews performing to the highest standard, so there is no doubt that the competition this year will be tough. I would not be surprised to see Walton near the top spots due to their obvious strength in this boat class, whilst I also think that Kew House have stacked their pair in the hope of winning gold. Similarly, with Nottingham and Union returning to this event, I am sure they will have put the hard training in to make it to the podium this year. Wycliffe also provides an excellent display of their strength in sculling. But the question is, can they transfer this into the pair?