Rosa Millard and Thames RC set for a title defence at the British Rowing Club Championships

After winning the Mixed Eight amongst other events, Thames RC are back for more, and there are some brilliant prizes on the line

Almost 12 months ago, the British Rowing Club Championships delivered four days of unforgettable racing. With clubs and crews from across the country coming to race against some formidable opposition, it has quickly become a highlight for many athletes.

With less than a week to go until entries close, the event is ready to welcome a bumper entry that is set to grow considerably from last year. Event organisers are thrilled to unveil a bumper prize package with Dryrobe and Black Sheep Brewery.

Black Sheep Brewery will once again be donating prize packs to the winners of the Mixed Championship Eights and the Mixed Club Coxed Fours.

Dryrobe will support plenty of winners, with prizes awarded to victorious crews in the following events:

• Open and Women’s Championship Double Sculls
• Open and Women’s Championship Fours
• Open and Women’s Championship Lightweight Single Sculls
• Open and Women’s Club Eights
• Open and Women’s Club Single Sculls
• Open and Women’s Beginner Single Sculls

For Thames RC’s women’s captain, Rosa Millard, last year’s Club Championships was a great event for the club to travel north for. Millard was part of the Thames crew that won the inaugural Mixed Eight Event in July last year.

“I think the novelty of the new event, the Mixed Eight, was so exciting for all of us,” said the Boat Race winner.

“Having never previously raced in that boat class before, partially because for the women, it’s the fastest we’ve ever gone and rowing with men had lots of differences and different approaches. It was great to be in such proximity to that and learn from that first-hand was great.

“The event itself was such a good atmosphere and the volunteers were fantastic. Obviously, if you won you got a Dry Robe and I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t an incentive for us!

Speaking at Henley Royal Regatta, where the captain is racing in Thames’ top boat in the Wargrave Challenge Cup, Rosa was keen to stress the importance of the Club Championships in the summer racing programme.

“I think it’s great. While Henley Royal Regatta is fantastic, you do often get the same names again and again, Thames being one of them, Molesey, London you see them again and again so it’s good at British Champs to get more representation. For example, it was great to have Hinksey Sculling School racing us in the Mixed Eights and it’s a chance for other clubs to be in the thick of the action.

“It was fantastic because after Henley there was a massive lull, blue Monday, and it was great to compete at the Club Championships because we were propelled into training for the next thing. It was more relaxed and it was an opportunity to become more social. We don’t really speak to the men as much as we do to the other women.

With entries continuing to flow in, competitors and clubs must ensure that they are all paid up before the entries close to avoid disappointment. With more boats set to be racing, Rosa is excited to see the standard of racing go up a level.

“More competition would be brilliant, there were four entries in the Mixed Eight last year and it’s on the rowers and the clubs to spread the word, challenge each other and come after our Mixed Eight title. It would definitely make it more exciting  but it’s important to strike the balance between the regular winning and drawing away from other clubs too.”