Bromley Fund Awards First 2026 Grants to Emerging Under 19 Pair

 Following the selection of the Australian Under 19 rowing team, the first Bromley Fund grants for 2026 have been awarded, with $7,500 presented to each athlete in the Under 19 women’s pair of Piper Hallam and Emma Peele.

The recognition highlights both rowers as outstanding emerging talents within Australia’s high-performance pathway.

Emma also comes from a strong rowing background—she is the daughter of dual Olympian Gina Peele (Douglas) and Australian lightweight representative Stuart Peele, and the granddaughter of 1968 Olympic silver medallist David Douglas.

The Bromley Fund has long played a vital role in supporting Australian pair-oared crews. Established in 1990 through the generosity of the late Ted Bromley, the fund was created to assist athletes selected by Rowing Australia to compete at the World Rowing Championships by helping defray international touring costs. Originally focused on senior crews, the fund’s scope was later expanded to include underage athletes, ensuring continued investment in the future of Australian rowing.

This year’s grants follow on from 2025, when six of Australia’s most promising young pair rowers each received $6,000 to support their international campaigns. The incremental increase in funding for 2026 reflects both rising costs and the trustees’ ongoing commitment to easing the financial burden on developing athletes.

Ted Bromley’s legacy within Australian rowing extends far beyond financial support. A distinguished athlete himself, he competed at an elite level from 1932—beginning with the New South Wales King’s Cup crew—through to representing Australia at the 1948 Olympic Games. His passion for the coxless pair, shaped by his own racing experience, drove his lifelong advocacy for the discipline. Until his passing in 2005, Bromley remained a dedicated champion of pair-oared rowing in Australia.

In recognition of his contribution, the Australian Men’s Pair Championship perpetual trophy bears his name and is represented by a bronze statue depicting one of Australia’s most successful pair rowers, Olympic champion James Tomkins.

Today, the Bromley Fund continues to uphold Bromley’s vision. Trustees John Coates AC, Andrew Guerin OAM, and Peter Antonie OAM oversee the annual allocation of grants, distributing funds at their discretion to support athletes’ international campaigns within the trust’s guidelines.

With the Under 19 grants now awarded, the trustees have indicated their intention to provide further support once the Under 23 team selection is finalised, ensuring that the next generation of Australian rowers continues to benefit from this enduring legacy.