Racing over 4,500m from Scotswood to Newburn, many women’s junior crews enter this race as one of the last opportunities to compete before Christmas. With only a couple of women’s junior events, we can expect some tight and competitive racing. For the junior women, there are the eights and two categories for the junior quads, U18s and U16s. We can anticipate these junior women’s events to showcase the best of northern rowing on the Tyne.
Women’s Junior Eights
With only five crews entered in this category, we can anticipate tight margins. Aberdeen School’s Rowing Association are leading the pack, hoping to finish on top. With very little made available about this crew, they cannot be underestimated, given their historic success at numerous national races. Additionally, three composite crews have been entered, showcasing the talent of many junior women as multiple clubs join together to field their best athletes. Additionally, a Queen Elizabeth High School crew has entered. When looking at their social media, we can anticipate this crew chasing down the crews ahead as they strive to showcase all the hard work they have put in this season so far. As many crews will use this race as a test of their endurance and winter training progress, it will be an exciting watch for spectators.
Women’s Junior 18 Quads
This category features more entries, divided into two bands of crews. This will be a thrilling spectacle for spectators as these crews take to the Tyne. Leading the pack for band one is Hexham Rowing Club, who hold the home advantage over the other crews. We can expect them to lead the local charge as they aim to finish ahead of the others. Hexham also has two boats entered in band two, showcasing the strength of their squad. Additionally, Yarm School, who are known for their disciplined sculling regime, will be chasing down Hexham and the composite GLW/SAN/SCP crew, making for a very competitive category. Also, I must mention the two crews entered from George Heriot’s School, both in band one, starting near one another. We can anticipate a competitive run down the track. Furthermore, many Tyne United athletes are entered with various athletes from other clubs, highlighting the depth of their squad, additionally with the help of the home advantage I think we can anticipate them to climb through the pack. Overall, I think both bands of the women’s junior quads make for a very competitive race, as all crews make their fastest run down the racecourse, we can anticipate close margins and competitive racing.
Women’s Junior 16 Quads
With seven crews entered in this category, this will be one of the first head races for some of these athletes, suggesting a competitive category. With Yarm School leading the pack, these athletes will strive to maintain a competitive edge down the course and stay ahead of the other entries. There are also two entries from Leeds Rowing Club, who enjoyed a successful season in 24/25 with GB trialists and success at various races. I am excited to see how these crews perform on Saturday. Additionally, starting third and fourth in the group is Lambton Rowing Club, a newly established club but with much recent success, including medals at the British Rowing Club Championships; these are definitely crews that spectators need to look out for. I think this Junior 16 category will be an exciting watch as these crews steer the racecourse and compete against each other.
Conclusion
Overall, I can not pick one single favourite in any of these categories. I think all of these entries demonstrate just how rapidly junior women’s rowing is growing and becoming increasingly competitive. I believe that Rutherford Head will be a fascinating watch for spectators as these crews take to the 4500m course on the Tyne, looking to showcase their winter training and speed before racing takes a brief hiatus for Christmas.
