Head of The River (New South Wales) - NSW Schoolgirls Head of The River Regatta

NSW Schoolgirls Head of The River Regatta

The NSW Schoolgirls Head of the River was first raced in 1991. The inaugural Schoolgirls Head of the River Regatta took place on Middle Harbour Creek at Davidson Park, Roseville. In following years the event was held at Iron Cove.

The NSW Schoolgirls' Head of the River is now typically held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), in Penrith on the Sunday following the Schoolboys Head of the River. It is organised by the NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council (NSWCISSC) and is the culmination of the Schoolgirls' rowing season.

Unlike the boys race, all affiliated schools of the NSWCISSC, NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association (NSWCHSSA), and the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Sports association (NSWCCCSA), are eligible to nominate their students to compete in the girls regatta. As at 2008, ten of the thirty AHIGS schools, those being Ascham School, Canberra Girls' Grammar School, Loreto Kirribilli, Loreto Normanhurst, MLC School, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney, Pymble Ladies' College, Queenwood School for Girls, Roseville College, and Tara Anglican School for Girls, send their crews to the Head of the River, making up the bulk of entries. The regatta is becoming increasingly popular among girls crews from public and private non-AHIGS schools, most notably, St Paul's Grammar School, Kinross Wolaroi School, Sydney Girls High School, SCECGS Redlands, North Sydney Girls High School, Riverside Girls High School and Radford College.

The New South Wales Rowing Association (NSWRA) holds nine perpetual trophies in trust for competition at the Schoolgirls regatta:

1. the NSW Union of Ex-Oarswomen Rose Evans trophy for competition between schoolgirl first eights.
2. the University of Sydney Women's Sports Association trophy for competition between schoolgirl first coxed fours.
3. the Union of Boat Race Officials shield for competition between schoolgirl Senior coxed quadruple sculls.
4. the University of NSW Trophy for competition between schoolgirl open fours (not awarded in 2007 due to a change in program format).
5. the NSW Union of Oarswomen Golden Scull Trophy for competition between single scullers.
6. the Margaret Varady Trophy for competition between schoolgirl year 10 coxed quads.
7. the Betty Deer Rosebowl for the highest aggregate point score between competing schools.
8. the William McKeith Trophy for the Junior handicap point score.
9. the Carol Bowern Shield for the Senior handicap point score.