Join Royal Chester’s Senior Men’s Squad — One of the UK’s Leading Provincial Programmes
 

Royal Chester’s Senior Men’s squad is recognised as one of the top-performing provincial rowing programmes in the country. In both 2023 and 2024, our athletes claimed the Jackson Trophy at the Head of the River Race and currently hold the course record for the fastest provincial club. Racing as a Masters A crew in 2024, the squad also won the Vesta International Masters Head outright — setting a new course record in the process.

We regularly compete at major regattas including Metropolitan, Marlow, and Wallingford, and aim to field at least two crews at Henley Royal Regatta each year. Our recent Henley entries have included selected coxless and coxed club fours, with the senior men’s coxed four reaching the final of the Britannia Challenge Cup in 2024. Many of our athletes have represented Team England and Team Wales at the Home International Regatta, and several formed the backbone of the winning men’s crew at the inaugural Power8 Sprints.

Our squad is made up of committed athletes — many balancing full-time careers and family life — supported by Head Coach Jamie Leighton, a professional nutrition and training specialist. Jamie provides tailored programmes to suit individual goals, ensuring every athlete can train effectively around their personal commitments.

We welcome rowers at all stages of development. Our Learn to Row and Intermediate squads are thriving, and graduates are actively encouraged to progress into the Senior squad. Many go on to finish in the top 100 at the Head of the River Race, compete at multi-lane regattas, and qualify for Henley Royal Regatta.

Training takes place on the River Dee, a 10km navigable, well-sheltered tidal stretch — ideal for endurance work and Henley preparation.
If you’re looking to join a North West club with a proven track record and a supportive, high-performance environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Men's Captain, Ed Press:  menscaptain@royalchester.org

Vice Captain, Pete Dean: pjdean1988@gmail.com
Senior coach, Jamie Leighton: royalchestercoach@gmail.com