Closing the Gap: Meet the quad from the GB South West Performance Development Academy
Recently featured in Henley Royal Regatta’s Closing the Gap series, we meet the ‘Girls from Bath’ who were talent spotted by the South West GB Performance Development Academy
Recently featured in Henley Royal Regatta’s Closing the Gap docuseries, meet the “Girls from Bath.” They are four University of Bath students whose rowing journeys began after being talent spotted by the GB South West Performance Development Academy.
The series follows the introduction of three new women’s events at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta, marking another significant step towards gender parity at one of rowing’s most prestigious competitions.
Pictured above, the crew of Rebekah Court (stroke), Toluwani “Tolu” Adelaja (three), Ella Fullman (two) and Freya Ridge (bow) are all athletes within the GB Performance Development Academy. The programme identifies and develops people with little or no rowing experience, with the long-term ambition of producing future Olympic champions.
Now, they are preparing to compete in the inaugural Queen Victoria Challenge Cup for Student Women’s Quadruple Sculls. For some members of the crew, it has been less than two years since they first picked up an oar.
“For me to be able to be part of that and hopefully race in this new women’s student event means so much”
For Freya Ridge, racing at Henley carries a special significance. Now in her third year of rowing, Ridge says her grandmother’s lifelong connection with the regatta has shaped what the event means to her. “My grandma grew up going to Henley every single year, and she’s seen the event evolve from one with only men racing to now, where we’ve got gender parity,” said Ridge. “For me to be able to be part of that and hopefully race in this new women’s student event means so much.”
Toluwani Adelaja only started rowing in October 2024 after being talent spotted by the South West GB Performance Development Academy. Less than two years later, she is racing in the inaugural Queen Victoria Challenge Cup.
“I was hopeless at the beginning,” Tolu laughed. “But luckily I don’t like quitting things. It was really fun to race and I thought, ‘I really like this.’ I was still bad, but the enthusiasm was there.”
Her progress has been remarkable. Since taking up the sport, Tolu has won a medal at BUCS Regatta, raced at Henley Women’s Regatta, and was invited to the GB Rowing Team Final Trials in April 2026. It’s an extraordinary achievement for someone so new to the sport.
In the stroke seat is Rebekah Court, one of the Academy’s more experienced athletes. In 2025, she won gold at the European University Rowing Championships in Duisburg, Germany, before finishing fourth at the World University Games. Earlier this year, Court and doubles partner Ellie Dash placed third overall in the Women’s Double Sculls at the GB Rowing Team Final Trials, a performance she attributes to “consistency and grit.”
Speaking during Closing the Gap, Court reflected on what the new event means for student women.
“Henley used to top off our year as a fun and exciting race to attempt, but we were never quite in contention. Now, being able to have a genuine shot is really exciting.”
All four athletes are coached by South West Performance Development Coach Tom Selby, who believes the introduction of the new women’s events represents an important step forward.
“There’s more of an opportunity for these athletes to feel like they’re competing on an equal stage,” said Selby. “It’s really nice to have an event they can build towards, knowing they have a genuine chance to compete.”
For 187 years, Henley Royal Regatta has been one of the most prestigious events in world rowing. This year, for the first time, student women’s quadruple sculls have their own place on its iconic course.
For athletes like Tolu Adelaja, the journey is proof of what is possible. Less than two years ago she had never rowed before. Now, she is racing on one of the most famous stretches of water in the world.
After being seeded in the draw, The University of Bath outfit start their campaign this week against Reading University ‘B’ on Friday, 3 July.
GB Performance Development Academies recruit individuals with no rowing experience and develop them into athletes with Olympic potential. Anyone who meets age and height requirements can test to join the Academy. Testing is open to individuals between the ages of 14-22 above 5ft 8in (176cm) for females and 6ft 2in (188cm) for males.
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