Record number of young rowers get set for the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta
16 regions, 129 clubs and 2,000 athletes make up the record entry to this year’s Junior Inter-Regional Regatta
Credit: AllMarkOne
Destination: Nottingham
The National Water Sports Centre is primed to host the largest ever edition of British Rowing’s Junior Inter-Regional Regatta (JIRR), with 430 crews set to represent their regions this weekend.
The weekend’s racing is a special event for juniors across the UK. For many, it’s their first chance of representing their region, teaming up with athletes they might normally line up against. This year, the North West and the West Midlands are travelling en masse and will have the largest teams in attendance. With 90 athletes making the journey from each of those regions, there’s set to be some incredible support for all of the racing they are involved with.
Across all of the categories, Yorkshire will float the most boats. The region has entered an impressive 30 of the 32 slots, and all eyes will be on the points tallies, which count towards the trophies that are up for grabs on Saturday. Like all of the other 15 regions, Yorkshire have made the decision to enter two scullers into the Open J16 Single Sculls event, meaning it will be the largest event of the day, with 32 competitors entered.
Speaking of trophies, Scotland will travel south of the border looking to defend the silverware won last year. In just their second year of being part of the JIRR, the Scots won the Margaret Marshall Cup for topping the girls’ standings and also took the Barbara Wilson Trophy for Single Scullers.
Last year, Thames Upriver won the Boys, and Overall Victor Ludorum, and their girls won the CUWBC Rose Bowl for the Girls’ J16 Eights. This year, it’s all to play for after the region was split into three, tripling the racing opportunities for clubs in the Thames Upriver region, bringing the total number of racing teams to 16. Keep an eye out for Thames Upriver Central, Thames Upriver East, and Thames Upriver West!
Throughout last year’s racing, one of the most exciting regions to watch was the East Midlands. After some stand-out performances, particularly in the Boys’ J14 Double Scull, they won the Martin Humphrys Cup, awarded to the highest placed region across all events out of those which were placed between 7th and 13th in 2024.
“One of the really powerful things about the JIRR is the team element. Just like the Juniors, U23s and senior teams, when they travel together to represent the GB Rowing Team at an event, it requires more than just each individual athlete doing their own thing,” said Luke Dillon, Chair of the Junior Inter Regional Regatta.
“JIRR is a chance to understand the benefit of being part of a wider team, to learn from more experienced athletes and to support the other members of the region.
“One of the really powerful things about the JIRR is the team element. Just like the Juniors, U23s and senior teams, when they travel together to represent the GB Rowing Team at an event, it requires more than just each individual athlete doing their own thing. JIRR is a chance to understand the benefit of being part of a wider team, to learn from more experienced athletes and to support the other members of the region.”
Once again, not only will Nottingham host JIRR on Saturday, but come Sunday, the National Water Sports Centre will welcome athletes competing at U19 Trials and the Olympic Pathway Development Regatta.
With 16 regions, represented by 129 clubs and nearly 2,000 athletes, JIRR is set to be an electric day of racing, kicking off the 2026 British Rowing Championships season.
