Following the announcement of the race changes for Henley Royal Regatta (HRR) 2026, I spoke with Richard Phelps, Chair of the HRR Committee. We discussed the introduction of three new women’s events in quadruple sculls and the enduring ambitions for gender parity.
Since HRR 2025
There is little quiet time for Henley Royal Regatta.
Once racing finishes, Richard explained that efforts shift to “wash up mode.” This involves a review period, where everything from racing, to enclosures, facilities and parking are evaluated.
From assessments of the Regatta’s success, attention then focuses on an analysis of finances. Richard also discussed his ongoing involvement in conversations on sustainability, meeting with local MPs and attending relevant events.
It appears that, in reality, little to no quiet time exists after the final trophies have been awarded. Winter brings an essential period for setting agendas to realise HRR’s five-year strategy, as well as meeting with stewards at their October Forum to discuss proposed changes.
The addition of new events to the programme
Henley Royal Regatta 2026 marks the introduction of several new racing events. Three new women’s quadruple sculls will row the Henley course next year, in the Intermediate, Club and Student categories respectively. This means HRR now has 14 women’s events, with ten new events having been introduced since 2017.
Gender parity, Richard elaborated, has been an ambition for several years, first proposed in 2015. 2022 saw the addition of a sixth day to the racing programme, increasing capacity and enabling more women’s eight events, such as the Prince Phillip, Wargrave, and Island Challenge Trophies. The final step of the plan was to add additional women’s sculling events, which are now coming to fruition at next year’s Regatta.
Balancing the necessity for change with maintaining tradition and heritage
Richard acknowledged that “something has to give, to make space for something to come“.
For next year, this will mean the suspension of The Britannia Challenge Cup (O4+) and The Visitors’ Challenge Cup (O4-) from 2027. These are events which typically have lower entry numbers and will be adjourned to make way for more women’s racing.
Richard emphasised that “cutting anything [from the programme] is always difficult“. These decisions are made slowly and thoughtfully, alongside feedback from consultations with clubs, which have demonstrated clear demand for sculling.
As the press release outlined, these new events enable the long-term development of women’s sculling.
“If you are a junior female sculler, you can now leave your junior programme and go to a university or club and remain sculling and still compete at Henley Royal,” he said. “Not only that, you can progress through those categories and compete at an intermediary level too.”
With momentum from Britain’s rising success in women’s sculling, the announcement of these events marks an exciting progression, reflecting the ambition of HRR to broaden its appeal and establish itself as a premier international regatta.
HRR’s aspiration to achieve gender parity in racing by 2027
Achieving gender parity at HRR means looking beyond what is happening on the water. Richard was keen to emphasise that “ultimately, an equal number of events will lead to an equal number of competitors“.
Initiating a greater number of women’s racing events is not a quick-fix solution to the uneven numbers. Gender parity, as Richard highlighted, also means “equal membership to the stewards’ enclosure, coaching for crews and attendance at the Regatta.“
That said, he believes parity amongst competitors is a good place to start.
He said: “Our members come from our competitors, so the first step in that longer journey [to gender parity] is to make sure we have the events for women, so that more women are racing.”
The expertise of new stewards
Moving the discussion to the newly announced Stewards, Richard highlighted the capacities of both Dr Anna Watkins MBE and Matt Evans, and what they will bring to Henley’s organisation and operations.
Anna, Richard expressed, brings an integral athlete focus. As a former competitor with lots of knowledge and experience of high performance, her “deep knowledge of the athlete’s point of view” will support the competitors of HRR and ensure that the committee is continuously considering how the Regatta can be a premier event, and an experience for its athletes.
Matt Evans brings a wealth of planning experience to the HRR committee. Richard applauded his abilities, stating that his “experience of organising and delivering events is second to none.” In charge of running LA 2028’s Olympic Regatta, Matt will be a tremendous support in making HRR the best event it can be for competitors and spectators alike.
Reflecting on the role of Chair
Richard took over as Chair of Henley Royal Regatta this year and was quick to express his love of the role.
“It has to be most rowers’ dreams to be involved with Henley Royal Regatta,” he said. “To be on the committee is exceptional, to be chair is incredible.”
Acknowledging the inevitable workload a job such as his brings, we concluded the conversation by discussing the enduring appeal of HRR.
Keen to uphold the Regatta’s globalised identity, Richard delighted in the event and the part he gets to play in bringing it to life.
“Henley Royal Regatta is a globally iconic event – maintaining that magic whilst increasing the pace of evolution is a challenge, but a real joy.”
