National Schools' Regatta

National Schools' Regatta is the largest rowing regatta for junior rowers in Great Britain. Held annually in May, the three day regatta offers events for junior rowers between the categories J14 and J18.

National Schools' Regatta
National Schools' Flag
Frequency	Annual
Location(s)	Dorney Lake, Holme Pierrepont.
Years active	1947 – present
Previous event	24–26 May 2019
Next event	28–30 May 2021
Participants	approx 3,500
Website	nationalschoolsregatta.co.uk

History[]

The regatta was first raced in 1947 as the "Colts and Third Eights Regatta", when Desmond Hill the master-in-charge of rowing at St Edward's School, Oxford, invited the third VIIIs of Shrewsbury School, Bedford School and Radley College to race against St. Edwards in Godstow.^[1] The event was repeated annually at a number of locations in the Thames Valley, and then later at Pangbourne, until in 1963 when it moved to the Child Beale Trust Estate. With the growth of the regatta and the addition of many more events for junior crews the regatta changed its name to "The National Schools' Regatta" in 1964.

In 1973 the regatta moved to the National Water Centre, at Holme Pierrepont, due to the frequency of unfair weather conditions at the Child Beale Estate, and the ability to hold six lane racing at Holme Pierrepont. Weather conditions continued to be an issue for school rowing and the 2008 edition was cancelled after three 1st VIIIs, entered in the Childe Beale Cup, from The King's School, Canterbury, Bedford Modern School, and Shiplake College, swamped.^{[citation needed]} It was decided by the officials to completely cancel the rest of the racing for both the Saturday and Sunday. The officials were criticised for not cancelling the event earlier^[2] and led to calls for the regatta to be moved to Dorney Lake, where the 2012 Olympics rowing events took place, although it is just as much prone to wind problems.^{[citation needed]}

Owing to Holme Pierrepoint having organised a triathlon over the desired weekend, the organisers were forced to relocate the regatta to Dorney Lake in 2016, where it was held from 2017 onwards.^{[citation needed]} The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably in 2021 Eton College became the first boat club in recent history to win the 1,2,3 of 1st, 2nd & 3rd eight events. ^[3]

Events and Recent Winners[]

Queen Mother Challenge Cup (Ch.8+)[]

The Queen Mother Challenge Cup for championship eights is the regatta's premier event, featuring the first eights of the traditional, 'championship' rowing schools of England. The event attracts approximately 12 entries each year, with smaller schools usually entering the Child Beale Cup for School eights. The Queen Mother forms part of the title known as '', which also consists of Championship eights at the Schools' Head of the River Race and The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Due to the high level of competition, the Queen Mother Challenge Cup has only been won by nine schools and one club:

Eton College (19 wins), Abingdon School (6 wins), Hampton School (6 wins), Radley College (5 wins), Shrewsbury School (3 wins), St. Edward's School (3 wins), St Paul's School (3 wins), Westminster School (2 wins), Pangbourne College (1 win), Wallingford Schools Boat Club (1 win)^[4]

Winners[]

Non-Championship Eights[]

Non-Championship Eights (formerly the Child Beale trophy for First Eights) is an event for School and Club VIIIs and has traditionally been entered by smaller and less well established or funded schools. There is a similar event named First Eights at Schools' Head of the River. The Child Beale Trophy was last awarded in 2018 to Bedford School and the event is now renamed to 'Non-Championship Eights'. One month later at Henley, Championship and Non-Championship eights race together in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.

Recent Winners[]

• 2020 - Event Cancelled
• 2019 - Monmouth School
• 2018 - Bedford School
• 2017 - Molesey Boat Club
• 2016 - The London Oratory School
• 2015 - Shiplake College
• 2014 - Pangbourne College
• 2013 - St George's College
• 2012 - King's College School
• 2011 - St Joseph's College
• 2010 - Eton College
• 2009 - Bedford Modern School

The Aylings Challenge Cup (ChG.8+)[]

The Aylings Challenge Cup for Championship Girls Eights has become the blue riband event for junior sweep women, with increasing entries in recent years to match the increase of junior women's rowing across the UK. A notable success has been that of Headington School who retained the trophy for 9 consecutive years between 2009 and 2017. The Aylings Challenge Cup makes up one of the three trophies for the Junior Women's Eights Triple, including Girls' Ch8+ at Schools' Head of the River and the Peabody Cup at Henley Women's Regatta.

Recent Winners[]

• 2021 - Lady Eleanor Holles School
• 2020 - Event Cancelled
• 2019 - Lady Eleanor Holles School
• 2018 - Henley Rowing Club
• 2017 - Headington School
• 2016 - Headington School
• 2015 - Headington School
• 2014 - Headington School
• 2013 - Headington School
• 2012 - Headington School
• 2011 - Headington School
• 2010 - Headington School
• 2009 - Headington School
• 2008 - Racing Cancelled
• 2007 - Lady Eleanor Holles School

^[5]

Course Records[]

Event results do not currently include 2017 due to no public timing results.^[6]

See also[]

• Rowing (sport)
• Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup
• Schools' Head of the River Race

References[]

External links[]

• Official website