Henley Royal Regatta introduces The Bridge Challenge Plate

Henley Royal Regatta is proud to announce the introduction of a new Women’s 8+ event, “The Bridge Challenge Plate,” for the 2025 Regatta, taking place from Tuesday, 1 July to Sunday, 6 July. This will be the first ever Women’s event in the Intermediate category which is for crews below the top level, Premier category, but above the Club and Student categories. The announcement follows today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in London.

Supported by British and international rowing clubs and universities, the new event will follow the same qualification rules as the Men’s equivalent, “The Ladies’ Challenge Plate”, which dates back to 1845. This addition represents a significant milestone in the Regatta’s ongoing efforts to ensure more equal opportunities for male and female competitors.

The new event’s name, “The Bridge Challenge Plate,” pays homage to the tradition of naming events after iconic landmarks on the Henley stretch. It also signifies the event’s purpose — to ‘bridge’ the gap between Club/Student level and Premier Women’s events at the Regatta. The name further draws inspiration from the keystone sculptures of Tamesis and Isis on Henley Bridge, created by acclaimed sculptor Anne Seymour Damer. Celebrated for her strength and artistry, Damer’s legacy embodies the determination and brilliance of female rowers across all levels of competition.

As well as the introduction of The Bridge Challenge Plate event, five existing events at the Regatta have been adjusted to increase the number of Women’s entries. These are The Remenham Challenge Cup, The Wargrave Challenge Cup, The Island Challenge Cup, The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy and The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup.

Richard Phelps, Chair of the Committee of Henley Royal Regatta, remarked: “I am excited that we have created the first Women’s event in the Intermediate category. This initiative not only furthers our commitment to gender parity, but also provides a much-needed bridge between the top Premier events and our Club/Student events. Alongside this, we’ve also made important adjustments to several existing events, ensuring we create space for progress without compromising the competitive integrity of the Regatta. These changes reflect our pledge to open more doors for female athletes and I look forward to watching them seize these new opportunities and create their own piece of history.”

Furthering its commitment to innovation and excellence, Henley Royal Regatta has also announced two new Committee members and five new Stewards.

Alison Faiers joins the Committee, having had a breadth of professional experience in the rowing and sports sector working both as an Umpire and in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion managerial roles at England Hockey and Sport England. A former competitor at five Regattas, Alison first raced at Henley as an accomplished cox in 1994. Joining her is Tom James MBE, a two-time Olympic Gold Medallist in the coxless four at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games. Tom brings expertise in strategy, commercial planning, and digital transformation from his work with global consultancy, Oliver Wyman, as well as leadership roles in high-growth companies.

Alongside the two new Committee members, Ben Hunt-Davis MBE has been re-elected to the Committee. A Steward since 2002, Ben joined the Committee in 2011 and has been instrumental in navigating the Regatta through significant changes over the past decade, in particular the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The five new Stewards are Gerritjan Eggenkamp, Dr. Cameron Nichol, Grace Prendergast MNZM, Elise Sherwell and The Rt. Hon. the Lord Camoys.

Commenting on the new appointments, Phelps said: “I am delighted to welcome the new Stewards who will add to our deep pool of talent and expertise within the body of the Stewards. And I’m equally delighted that Alison and Tom will be joining the Committee; both of them will further strengthen the Regatta’s leadership team. All seven have unique strengths, fresh ideas and will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Regatta. Together, we look forward to delivering an unforgettable 2025 and continuing to advance our vision to be remarkable, forge bonds and create history.”

The AGM marks an opportunity for the Committee members to propose amendments to the event’s qualification and general rules, as part of the constant evolution of the event and in line with the overarching strategy and vision.

Henley Royal Regatta’s vision aims to broaden its appeal, establishing itself as the premier international regatta and an iconic British sporting event for both rowers and spectators alike. With a focus on gender parity, inclusivity and enhanced experiences, Henley Royal Regatta is poised to continue breaking barriers and redefining excellence both on and off the water.

Henley Royal Regatta chair discusses journey to gender parity

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