On a scorching windless weekend in June (Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th June), the world descends upon Henley-on-Thames for the inaugural Henley Women’s Regatta.  This is the pinnacle of women’s rowing in the UK. Over the years the regatta has really grown with many top internationals cutting their teeth at this regatta. Some coaches have said that it can be considered a favourable regatta for rowing to the Henley Royal Regatta, which is held in a fortnight time.

This year BGS had an eight racing in the junior eights event, the Peabody Cup, which seemed to have a truly international flavour with only three crews from UK schools and six from the USA. The opportunity as a student to race against an international school is a fantastic experience, one which I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives. To add to the international experience for the BGS crew, prior to the race the umpire referred to the crew as Great Britain.

The BGS crew were paired up to race a very strong and successful crew from National Cathedral School, USA. BGS was on the more favourable Berkshire Station with Nat. Cat Sch taking up residence on the Buckinghamshire station. Both crews had a very powerful start showing their mettle early on. At the end of the island (300m) the Americans had taken a canvas lead (4 foot). By the barrier (600m) both crews were in a very solid rhythm. However, the American’s strength was showing and they had increased their winning margin to over a length (62ft).  At Fawley (1000m) the American’s had a commanding lead of just short of two and a half lengths (164ft).  The BGS Girls never gave up the fight and even though the American crew were up on them neither crew was able to slow.

On reflection, we tend to look through a list of wins and loses but sometimes we miss the stories behind each of the events and sports fixtures. For the fifteen girls involved in this event there has been quite literally blood, sweat and tears.  Well not blood but lots of sweat and tears! They have all committed time and effort to their rowing this year, sacrificing many social events for their training.  They have analysed their own performances, faced up their weaknesses and taken on the challenge to improve.  Sport is an honest test of what confidence you have in the work you have done.  The brutal gladiatorial nature of the Henley knock out system is that it is one versus one, you either the victor or the vanquished, there are no places in between.  This is possibly one of the many draws for sport and why we do it.  With a winner takes all end it can be seen as a loss as a complete failure.  This however was far from the truth with the girls taking both confidence and positivity from the way the executed their own performance at Henley.  This was because the girls were asked to focus on the process rather than the outcome, which has been our mantra this year.

But long before we raced on the Thames, on the famous 1500m boomed course the girls have both rowed many miles and learnt lessons on the way,  developing confidence, strength, endurance, team work, composure, concentration, coping strategies, self-belief, coordination, this list goes on and on.  To put this into context for every stroke taken down the Henley course each girl will have taken in training approximately 450 stokes, lifted around 1000kg and had at least one moment of utter panic and crisis. All the girls have gone through this process not just the ones in the crew. 

Although in an eight, there are only nine seats it is important to note that our eight was made up from lots of different parts.  As a result it is important for us to take opportunity to thank all the people involved with the girls this year.  There was the immediate team members who have rowed in the boat this year, those who have subbed in and helped to progress the crew.  Four of them making the trip to Henley to see the eight race.  These girls watched the full race from the Umpires launch which is as close as a spectator can get to the whole race and this was important that they were as involved as the girls rowing.  There are then the parents, friends and relatives of the girls who are the support network for the girls in their difficult times and there to celebrate the good times. Even though these are sometimes very sparse.

A special thank you to all the support staff who make such a difference to rowing at BGS and without whom the sport would not function.  From the equipment being in the correct place to the important paperwork being correct to ensure that the girls as able to compete safely.

The actual event was summed up by the girls has being a one of the best ways to end their rowing time at BGS.  However one girl did say that Henley was such an amazing place to row but I did feel that she more impressed with the facilities on offer at Beaconsfield services than she was at Henley. They were quite impressive.  

1616 Vs Nat Cathedral Sch, USA

SchG 8+ (Berks)

Emily Greene (Upper Sixth)
Grace Batten (Year 11)
Mia Armstrong (Upper Sixth)
Helene Broens (Upper Sixth)
Ellie Simester (Year 11)
Erin Knight (Year 11)
Emily Baker (Lower Sixth)
Lily Hudson (Upper Sixth)

Cox. Sophie Parry (Year 11)

Squad

Bella Trobe (Year 11)
Katie McDonagh (Upper Sixth)
Oliva Ames (Year 11)
Megan Harris (Year 11
Imogen Fereday (Upper Sixth)
Molly Garrigue (Upper Sixth)