City of Bunbury Supports RWA Clubs

Rowing WA, in partnership with the City of Bunbury and Bunbury Rowing Club, is pleased to confirm a club participation incentive program for the 2026 Bunbury Big Boats Sprint Regatta, taking place on Saturday 18 April 2026 at Leschenault Inlet.

The City of Bunbury’s continued support is helping to reduce barriers to travel and encourage strong club participation at one of Western Australia’s most iconic regional rowing events. The incentive program has been designed to recognise clubs that make the commitment to travel with larger squads, while also encouraging growth in participation.

Supporting participation at a regional regatta

The Bunbury Big Boats Sprint Regatta is the only non‑metropolitan regatta on the Rowing WA calendar and plays an important role in strengthening connections between metropolitan and regional clubs. With funding support from the City of Bunbury, Rowing WA is able to offer a targeted incentive program that supports club travel and rewards increased participation.

While the overall incentive pool available in 2026 is smaller than in previous seasons, the program has been structured to ensure funding is distributed fairly, transparently and in a way that continues to encourage clubs to bring additional athletes to Bunbury.

How the 2026 incentive program works

The 2026 club incentive program is based solely on participation numbers at the Bunbury Big Boats Sprint Regatta and includes two components:

Base participation payment
Clubs that enter more than 30 athletes in the Sprint Regatta will qualify for a base participation payment. This recognises the commitment involved in travelling to a regional regatta with a larger squad.

Additional growth‑based incentive
Clubs that exceed the 30‑athlete threshold may also access additional funding based on growth in participation, measured by percentage increases in athlete numbers compared with previous Bunbury Sprint participation.

Both components are drawn from a fixed incentive pool. Payments will be calculated once entries close and may be pro‑rated depending on the number of clubs that qualify.

What clubs can expect

As a guide:

• Clubs just above the participation threshold can expect a modest base payment
• Clubs that show clear growth in athlete numbers can expect a larger combined incentive
• Clubs bringing significantly more athletes than in previous years will receive the greatest share of the available funding

Final incentive amounts will be confirmed following the close of entries.

A partnership delivering regional impact

The City of Bunbury’s support reflects a shared commitment to growing participation in sport and showcasing Bunbury as a destination for major sporting events.

By encouraging clubs to travel to Bunbury and compete at the Big Boats Sprint Regatta, the partnership helps generate economic and community benefits for the region, while continuing to build the profile of this historic event on the Rowing WA calendar.

Clubs encouraged to plan early

Clubs are encouraged to consider how they can maximise participation at the 2026 Bunbury Big Boats Sprint Regatta and take advantage of the incentive program.

Further details, including entry information, will be available via Rowing Manager and the Rowing WA website. For any questions regarding the incentive program, clubs can contact Rowing WA directly.