11 February 2025
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch on change and Henley.
Historically at least, Henley Royal Regatta has not been a model of democracy or openness. The nearly 7,000 Members of the Stewards’ Enclosure have no voting rights or control over how the regatta is run. The Stewards (currently numbering seventy-one) are a self-electing body who are mostly accomplished rowers but who also include some long-serving and successful administrators of the sport. However, the real power lies with the Committee of Management, currently comprising twelve Stewards, including the Chairman.
While Henley’s “unwritten Rule Zero,” previously interpreted by Rachel Quarrell as “the Stewards make the rules and can do what they like”, no doubt still stands, contemporary Henley thrives because it is now responsive to a fast changing world.
Today, most people cannot imagine that, in the 1960s and 1970s particularly, the regatta did not move with the times and some wondered if it had any future. Previously, even when there was some reform, it was done begrudgingly or defensively. Notably, when Henley finally allowed women to cox in 1975, the then chairman stated “I would emphasise that this is in no way the thin end of the wedge. It is not a triumph for women’s lib – or any nonsense of that sort.”
As late as 1989, then Chairman Peter Coni could say:
It is unfashionable these days to have people who believe that they know what is best and are not subject to everyone else telling them what they ought to do… the unique thing about the Regatta is that it is still run and controlled entirely by the Stewards… We take the view that if people do not like the Regatta that we provide….. then, it’s no skin off our nose if they do not come…. It’s not democratic at all…
To be fair to Coni, he did much to revive the Regatta’s fortunes.
While, in the past, the Committee had its share of ultra-conservative members resistant to change, this is no longer the case. The progressive nature of those who now run the regatta is most obviously seen in their attitude to social and political transformations. For example, in June 2020, following the killing of George Floyd, the Committee of Management released a statement on racial injustice, something that would have been unthinkable not so long ago.
The statement was a long way from accepting disguised crews from Apartheid South Africa or rejecting demands for women’s events. Indeed, the most obvious radical and practical change by Henley in recent years has been its move to gender equality by its introduction of women’s events and by the appointment of female Stewards.
The latest incarnation of Henley Royal Regatta’s increasingly responsive attitude to outside demands and wishes come in a statement from Chairman Richard Phelps issued on 7 February:
I write this on a bright, crisp, February morning; and looking out from Regatta HQ the Thames has, once again, dropped below the banks and some crews can be seen on the river. Despite the challenges of rain, wind and the odd storm, I hope your winter training is on track, and you’re all set for the final weeks of head racing before we dare think about the 2025 regatta season.
The Committee of HRR are also looking ahead to the regatta season, but in this instance the 2026 season and, specifically, the 2026 Henley Royal Regatta. As you may have seen, we announced a new event for the 2025 Regatta, The Bridge Challenge Plate, last December. This is part of a broader review of the racing programme at the Regatta with specific focus on the Intermediate, Club, Student and Junior categories.
As part of this review, the Committee would like to hear the views of rowing clubs across the UK. With this in mind, we are hosting a series of consultation events in various locations (see below) and hope that some of you will be able to join us to share your thoughts and for us to understand what underpins those thoughts.
The sessions are expected to last between 1.5 – 2 hours, will involve interactive polling and include time for open discussion. Due to capacity constraints, there is a limit of two representatives from each club. We hope there is a date and location that is convenient for you. Refreshments will be served prior to each event.
Register for the session that best suits you by clicking the link next to the event and HRR will be in touch with more details.
- Fri 21st Feb : Cheshire, Northwich RC (19.00): Register
- Sat 22nd Feb : Newcastle, Tyne ARC (18.00): Register
- Sat 1st Mar : City of Cambridge RC (clubs & schools) (13.30): Register
- Sat 1st Mar : City of Cambridge RC (colleges only) (16.00): Register
- Sun 2nd Mar : Nottingham, Nottingham RC (13.30): Register
- Sun 9th Mar : Oxford, St Edmund Hall (colleges only) (11.00): Register
- Sun 9th Mar : Oxford, St Edmund Hall (clubs & schools) (14.30): Register
- Sat 15th Mar : Putney Embankment, London RC (14.00): Register
- Sun 16th Mar : Henley, Henley RC (14.00): Register
- Sat 29th Mar : Bristol (venue and time tbc)
The 2025 Henley Royal Regatta runs from Tuesday, 1 July to Sunday, 6 July.
Hear The Boat Sing 