Over the last decade, UK rowing schools have undergone an unprecedented period of rapid development, marked not only by the growth in numbers competing but also by a marked rise in performance. The introduction of professional coaches, world class training facilities and year round training has seen British school crews seize the initiative from their rivals in other countries.
The ultimate accolade for school crews is
undoubtedly a win at Henley. Henley attracts many of the fastest school crews in the world, with regular attendance by American and Australian teams in particular. Henley caters for junior men’s crews with two events; The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup (school eights) and The Fawley Challenge Cup (junior quads). Over the last eight years, both events have been dominated by British crews, who have taken fourteen of a possible sixteen wins. (Australian crews claimed the honours in the Fawley in 2010 and 2011). The previous eight years saw a 50-50 split, with eight wins each to overseas and British crews.