Rowing: North of England Head

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On Sunday, 17 March, the River Dee played host to the North of England Head, a local race for the King’s School Rowing Club (KSRC) but one that attracted competing crews from around the country.

More than 100 KSRC athletes raced in the competition with impressive wins for the J18, J16 and J15 girls’ VIIIs in their respective categories.

The boys also raced well with the J18 boys coming second in their category after losing by just one second to the Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club (RSSBC).

J16 boys were delighted to beat their RSSBC rivals but missed out on a category win to a strong crew from St Edwards College, Oxford. In the J15 category, the two VIIIs were separated by just two seconds over the 5,000m course.

Director of Rowing, David Blackham, praised the crews for their efforts on the Dee.

He said: “Huge congratulations to all of our crews today. With wins for the girls and impressive performances from the boys’ crews, it stands us in good stead for the upcoming Schools Head.”

Celebrations weren’t restricted to the river as athletes and their supporters enjoyed a superb barbecue hosted by the KSRCPA, and witnessed the naming of the Chester Schools Together boats.

The Chester Schools Together rowing programme launched in November 2023 and gives pupils from Bishops’ Bluecoat School, Chester Catholic High and Blacon High School an opportunity to try the sport of rowing at no cost.

The programme currently benefits 30 pupils and we are looking forward to welcoming a further ten pupils from Upton-by-Chester High School to the programme next term.

Structured, fully coached sessions take place at the King’s School Rowing Club on a weekly or bi-weekly basis with pupils making excellent progress and impressing their coaches.

The two Chester Schools Together boats purchased for the project were formally launched by Harrison Kendall from Blacon High School.

At the naming ceremony, Director of Rowing David Blackham and Director of Marketing and Partnership, Selena O’Donnell, both spoke passionately about the programme and benefits to the participating pupils.