Rockhampton to host Queensland Schools Championship in 2024 & 2025
Published on 19 December 2023
Advance Rockhampton, through Rockhampton Regional Council is thrilled to announce that Rockhampton will play host to one of Rowing Queensland’s most significant events, the Queensland Schools Championship Regatta in 2024 and 2025.
Council has proudly committed to a two-year sponsorship for the event, which anticipates the participation of over 800 athletes hailing from all corners of Queensland, drawing more than 3,000 visitors annually.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said Rockhampton is renowned for its rich history in rowing, having hosted the Australian Rowing Team on numerous occasions, in addition to staging previous state and national rowing events, including the Queensland Schools Championships on seven other occasions from 2006 to 2021.
“In previous years this event has attracted 90% visitation from outside of the region, so this is a significant event for sporting tourism and its profound economic impact in the Rockhampton region.
“We are looking forward to welcoming rowers and their families from across the state and showing them the fantastic tourism experiences that we have on offer,” Mayor Williams said.
Rowing Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Matt Bialkowski said that he is looking forward to continuing a collaboration with Advance Rockhampton and Rockhampton Regional Council to make the 2024 and 2025 State Schools Championships in Rockhampton a tremendous success.
“The Queensland Schools Rowing Championships is the largest rowing event on the State’s regatta calendar, and the event saw remarkable triumph in Bundaberg last year attracting 48 schools from across the state and almost half of the 3,000 attendees stayed more than three nights.
“Rowing Queensland’s ambition is to foster regional growth by providing greater accessibility to our sport, all while promoting the region's tourism and leisure offerings to a wider audience,” Mr Bialkowski said.
Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford echoed the sentiment, emphasising the regional growth opportunities and community pride inherent in such events.
“These events bring an incredible sense of community pride, particularly among our local rowers, who dedicate themselves to rigorous training for competitions like these and now get to perform in front of family and friends,” Cr Rutherford said.
Advance Rockhampton Tourism and Events Manager Zac Garven emphasised the substantial economic boost this sporting spectacle brings to Rockhampton's visitor economy, as well as putting Rocky on the map for visiting families.
“The Explore Rockhampton Sporting Destination Guide, a comprehensive resource developed by Advance Rockhampton, has once again positioned the city as a preferred destination among state and national sporting bodies, simplifying the decision-making process for event managers,” Mr Garven said.
Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club President, Sarah Black said the Rockhampton rowing community is thrilled to have this premier regatta return to the Fitzroy River in 2024 and 2025.
“Rockhampton provides a great experience for visiting rowers and their families. We have a beautiful rowing venue centrally located near the heart of town, so it is fantastic news this major event is returning to the mighty Fitzroy River,” Mrs Black said.
The State Schools Championships are set to take place at the Rockhampton Ski Gardens during the September School Holidays in 2024 and again in 2025.
For more information about the State Schools Rowing, visit www.rowingqld.asn.au
For more information about Advance Rockhampton’s Sporting Destination Guide, visit https://www.advancerockhampton.com.au/Industry/Tourism-and-Events/Sporting-Events
ENDS