Ashcroft appointed women’s regatta chairman

HENLEY Women’s Regatta has appointed Naomi Ashcroft as its new chairman.

Ashcroft replaces Naomi Riches who stepped down after two years in the role in July.

Ashcroft is a longstanding supporter of the regatta both as athlete and volunteer. As an athlete she won 11 medals at the regatta during her successful rowing career, with other notable achievements including World Rowing Cup and World Rowing Championship gold in 2002 in the lightweight women’s pair, several National Championship titles, and more recently a string of medals at World Masters Regattas.

Ashcroft is a member of Upper Thames Rowing Club and is a chartered civil engineer.

Speaking of her appointment, Ashcroft said: “I would like to thank Naomi Riches for her stewardship over the last two years.

“It is a great honour to take on the role of chairman for Henley Women’s Regatta, a regatta that I have a long and fond association with, both as an athlete and volunteer. As an athlete, Henley Women’s Regatta was always a key focus of my racing season.

“I look forward to supporting and leading our great team of volunteers so that Henley Women’s Regatta continues to grow as a world class regatta, offering the very best racing experience and provides the arena for female athletes, at all stages of their rowing career, to fulfill their goals.”

Next year’s Henley Women’s Regatta will take place from June 21 to 23.