King’s rowers prepare for a historic day at Henley

After the break in 2020, Henley Royal Regatta is back in 2021 and begins on Wednesday 11 August. It
will be a historic day for the School, as both the Girl’s and Boy’s 1st VIII have qualified for the
Regatta.

It is the inaugural year of the Junior Women’s VIIIs event and King’s are amongst four Schools that
have qualified both a Girl’s and Boy’s VIII. To add to the history, this is also the first King’s School
girls crew to qualify in any event for the Regatta.

The Girls 1st VIII is lead by Matt Jump, 1st VIII coach. The VIII finished in a very promising 4th place in
the Championship final at the National Schools’ Regatta. The crew race Hinksey Sculling School on
Wednesday at 3:50 pm. The girls have prepared well on the River Dee in recent weeks, racing local
fixtures to prepare for the river racing ahead.

The boy’s 1st VIII is also looking to build on their National Schools’ Regatta performance. The crew
have also performed well in recent weeks on the River Dee in several private fixtures. Tommy
Reeves, the boy’s 1st VIII coach, has been able to use the extra time very effectively on the Dee. The
crew race Monmouth School on Wednesday at 9:45 am.

David Blackham, Director of Rowing said “I am so pleased that all 18 athletes will have the
opportunity to race at Henley after the break last year. For many of the team, this is the culmination
of 5 years’ work at the Rowing Club, for others, their first taste of racing at this level. It is a historic
day for the club and exciting for both crews, knowing that Wednesday will be the start of a new
chapter for the King’s School Rowing Club at Henley. The crews have shown great professionalism in
their preparation, and I have every confidence that each crew will represent the club with pride on
Wednesday.”