Rowing Australia welcomes funding boost ahead of LA 2028

Rowing Australia (RA) has a strong platform to surge into the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic cycle thanks to a confidence-boosting Win Well high performance investment from the Australian Government.

The funding ensures the Rowsellas will be expertly supported in the critical high performance environment across the window from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, providing the backing they need to excel at the global level.

This is on top of a Play Well participation investment that has already seen RA offer new opportunities to enter the rowing pathway across Australia, including a groundbreaking program in the Queensland outback.

“We are grateful for the support of the Australian Government, Sports Minister Anika Wells and the Australian Sports Commission as we look cast our gaze towards Los Angeles in 2028,” Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook said.

“This guaranteed funding gives us the certainty we need to plan, prepare and make sure our Rowsellas have the tools, coaching and wider support they need to reach their full potential.

“We also welcome the increased funding from the Australian Government towards para sport. Our PR3 Mixed Double gold in Paris showed the power of the Paralympic Games and RA is proud to provide an inclusive ‘One Team’ platform for all our athletes.”

RA will start 2025 with new head coaches at its National Training Centres in Penrith and Canberra after the appointment of Chris O’Brien and James Harris after the Paris Olympics.

The funding to Rowing Australia is part of a record $385m investment announced by the Australian Government across able-bodied and para high performance sport.

“Rowing is ready to step up and play our part in this incredibly exciting period in Australian sport as we look towards LA in 2028 and a generation-defining home Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane in 2032,” Cook said.

“We are not only looking to surround our current athletes with world-class coaching, expertise and equipment but look to inspire and develop the next generation of champions who want to Win Well and Play Well.”