Regatta takes final step towards gender parity

THREE new women’s events will be added to Henley Royal Regatta from next year.

Quadruple sculls events will be introduced in the intermediate, club and student categories and it is hoped that it will create more equal opportunities for male and female rowers.

It also means that female scullers will be able to progress through the regatta from junior to the Olympic-level premier category.

The announcement follows the committee’s annual meeting in London where new rule changes were also approved.

This will allow for competitors who have competed for a national team more than five years ago to participate in the club category.

By 2027, the regatta will hold an equal number of open and women’s events, achieving gender parity for the first time.

It has 14 women’s events, 10 of which have been introduced since 2017. Richard Phelps, who chairs the regatta, said: “Achieving gender parity in our competition is an exciting and historic moment.

“The journey started just over 30 years ago and was dramatically accelerated under the leadership of Sir Steve Redgrave.

“This final step has been more challenging as it involves removing some of the open events, one of which is more than
150 years old, but the stewards have approved these changes, cognisant that our sport and the regatta is continuously evolving.

“We are aware of the impact that these three events will have on women’s rowing in the UK and beyond.

“Following our club consultations earlier this year, alongside British Rowing and Henley Women’s Regatta, we are confident these new events will be well received and further elevate the standard of women’s sculling in the UK.”

Naomi Ashcroft, who chairs Henley Women’s Regatta, said she was “delighted” with the move.

She said: “Not only will the introduction of the three new quadruple sculls events broaden opportunities for many female athletes, it will serve to drive the standard of women’s sculling even higher in what is Great Britain’s most successful boat class.”

Two new stewards have also been elected to join the royal regatta’s committee of management, along with the appointment of two Olympians.

They are Dr Anna Watkins, a former gold medallist at the 2012 Olympics in London and a bronze medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the women’s double sculls, and Matt Evans, a sports manager for rowing, coastal rowing and para rowing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Current steward, Sarah Cook, a two-time Olympic rower and the chief executive of rowing Australia, has been elected on to the committee of management while Sir Matthew Pinsent, four-time Olympic gold medallist, has been re-elected on to the committee for another six-year term.

Mr Phelps said: “I am confident the committee, working with the executive, will continue to bring innovative ideas and fresh thinking to the organisation, in order to deliver an unforgettable 2026 regatta.

“Together we will continue to foster the rowing community to provide an unrivalled competitor and audience experience, advancing our vision to be remarkable, forge bonds and create history.”