Rowing Australia Trophies

ROWING AUSTRALIA TROPHIES

Rowing Australia has a superb and historically significant set of perpetual trophies. The most loved and meaningful of them continues to be the King’s Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Trophy. Both have special meaning for the sport. On occasions, Rowing Australia receives kind offers to donate trophies for national events. Whilst welcomed, Rowing Australia reserves the right to approve such offers and also to name and allocate events to any proposed perpetual trophies.

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John Coates AC Cup Interstate Point scoreThis trophy was presented to Rowing Australia in 1999 by its then principal sponsor, Zurich Financial Services, for presentation to the State with the highest points scored from each Interstate Championship. The cup is one of only 500 made from sands collected by Olympians from every Olympic country. In 2024, the Rowing Australia Cup was renamed the John Coates Cup in honour of John's superb contribution to rowing.

John Coates AC Cup Interstate Point score

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King's Cup Interstate Men's EightPresented by King George V to the AIF No. 1 crew for winning the 1919 Henley Peace Regatta, this trophy was originally destined for the Australian War Museum. Captain Clive Disher, on behalf of the crew, petitioned the King, arguing 4,000 rowers had fought and many died, so it should belong to them. The King agreed, and the gilded, royal-embossed sterling silver trophy became the perpetual prize for the Interstate Men’s Eight Championship.

King's Cup Interstate Men's Eight

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Queen Elizabeth II Trophy Interstate Women's EightFollowing the first official Interstate Women’s Four Championships in 1920, a sterling silver trophy was created of South Australia’s Dorothy Arnold, stroke of the winning crew. She is depicted holding an oar, dressed in rowing attire of the time, and affectionately nicknamed “Bertha,” her middle name. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II consented to have the event named in her honour. The current holders of the trophy are New South Wales.

Queen Elizabeth II Trophy Interstate Women's Eight

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President's Cup Interstate Men's Single ScullsFollowing the formation of the Australian Amateur Rowing Council in 1925, the first President Mr E C Watchorn, a trustee of the Geo. Adams Estate controlling Tattersall's Sweep Consultations, donated the President's Cup as the perpetual trophy for the annual Australian Interstate Single Sculling Championship. It is a superb but simple sterling silver trophy. The current holders of the President's Cup is South Australia.

President's Cup Interstate Men's Single Sculls

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Nell Slatter Cup Interstate Women's Single ScullsThe Nell Slatter Trophy was presented by the Queensland Women's Rowing Association in 1963 to be the perpetual trophy for the Championship as a tribute to the then Queensland President Nell Slatter. The current holders of the Nell Slatter Cup is New South Wales.

Nell Slatter Cup Interstate Women's Single Sculls

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Penrith Cup Interstate Men's Lightweight FourThe Interstate Lightweight Four Championship was introduced in 1958 after a long history of lightweight rowing within Australia. The original Penrith Cup was presented to the Australian Amateur Rowing Council in 1958 by the Penrith City Council as the perpetual trophy for the event. It was subsequently replaced. The current holders of the Penrith Cup are Victoria.

Penrith Cup Interstate Men's Lightweight Four

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Victoria Cup Interstate Women's Lightweight Quad ScullsThe first Women’s Interstate Lightweight Four-Oared Championship was held on the Yarra River in Melbourne on 28 April 1968, with Victoria taking victory. Stroked by renowned oarswoman Margaret Agnew Mackenzie, the crew’s win marked the beginning of lightweight rowing as an annual event—thanks largely to Mackenzie’s efforts with the Women’s Rowing Council. The Victoria Cup, presented by the Victorian Ladies’ Rowing Association, is the perpetual trophy.

Victoria Cup Interstate Women's Lightweight Quad Sculls

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Yet to be Named Interstate PR3 Men's and Women's Single Sculls Commenced in 2016, these races were commenced as LTA (leg truck and arms) category but were changed to PR3 when the international categories changed. The races were initially raced over 1000m, the then international race distance. It was moved to 2000m in 2018.

Yet to be Named Interstate PR3 Men's and Women's Single Sculls

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Wilkinson Cup Interstate men's Youth EightThe first Championship was conducted in Victoria in 1974, and in that same year, the Council accepted an offer by Noel Wilkinson to provide a perpetual trophy for the event. This impressive trophy is the result. Noel was a great fundraiser for both Australian rowing teams and also for Australian Olympic teams. He was also a long serving Treasurer of the Australian Rowing Council.

Wilkinson Cup Interstate men's Youth Eight

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Bicentennial Cup Interstate Women's Youth EightThe women's youth event was commenced in 1988 in coxed fours. The event became an eight oared event in 1994 due the continued growth in women's rowing and the need to provide more opportunities for these athletes. The Cup was presented by the New South Wales Rowing Association and has the following words engraved on the Cup: For competition between Women's Interstate Women's Fours.

Bicentennial Cup Interstate Women's Youth Eight

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bob blake shield para point scoreIntroduced in 2001 as the point score trophy for para rowing racing at the National Championships. It was donated by the WA ‘Freedom of the River’ group and named in honour of Bob Blake for his work for para rowing nationally and in his home state of Tasmania since 1989.

bob blake shield para point score

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steve hinchy memorial trophy open men's single scullsIntroduced in 2020 to recognise the great work of the Late Dr Stephen Hichy OAM, past RA President, Councillor, rower, senior team manager and doctor, senior umpire and holder of most administrative positions in Queensland rowing. A man of great humour, passion for rowing, generosity and fairness. The nineteenth century sterling silver trophy was donated by Andrew Guerin, the wooden base provided by Tasmanian umpires and the accompanying medallion donated by Australian umpires.

steve hinchy memorial trophy open men's single sculls

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kim brennan cup open women's single scullsIntroduced in 2023 to recognise one of Australia’s greatest oarswoman, Olympic Champion and multiple World Champion sculler, Kim Brennan. Her wonderful career spanned three Olympic Games and included Gold in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro and two Olympic medals at the 2012 London Games. The century old sterling silver trophy was donated by Andrew Guerin to match his donation of the Hinchy trophy.

kim brennan cup open women's single sculls

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the margaret mackenzie trophy open women's quad scullsEstablished in 2024, this cup honours Margaret Mackenzie—champion rower, coach, and transformative administrator. She won six Interstate Fours as a rower and three as a coach, but her legacy lies in driving change. Margaret helped establish women’s rowing in New Zealand and the ACT, reintroduced it in multiple Australian states, and played a key role in the global recognition of lightweight and Olympic women’s rowing. The trophy comes from the Louis Petrin collection.

the margaret mackenzie trophy open women's quad sculls

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ted bromley memorial trophy open men's pairThis trophy honours the Late Ted Bromley, an Olympic pair oared rower, generous benefactor and supporter of rowing, and a person who has done much to support pair oared rowing in Australia. The bronze trophy sculptured by masters rower Peter de Garis, depicts three time Olympic Champion James Tomkins winning the 2004 Olympic Pair Oared Championship. It was donated by the then RA Bromley Trust trustees John Coates AC, Stephen Hinchy OAM and Andrew Guerin OAM in 2006.

ted bromley memorial trophy open men's pair

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the sarah tait memorial trophy open women's pairIntroduced in 2017, this unique and beautiful trophy was donated by the Outhwaite family in memory of their daughter and noted Australian rower Sarah Tait. Being a West Australian originally, the swan theme recognises her origins in the sport. Sarah sadly died from cancer which was detected less than a year after she was a medallist at the London 2012 Games. This trophy replaced the Carlton and United Shield which was first presented in 1968.

the sarah tait memorial trophy open women's pair

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bob aitken memorial trophy open men's fourEstablished in 2006 in memory of Bob Aitken, the first elected President of Rowing Australia, this trophy honours his legacy as a successful athlete, coach, selector, and administrator. He coached the 1956 Olympic bronze medal eight and led the sport through major reforms in the 1970s and 1980s, including appointing Reinhold Batschi and resisting the 1980 Olympic boycott. Bob’s intellect and deep rowing knowledge left a lasting impact on Australian rowing.

bob aitken memorial trophy open men's four

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herald and weekly times trophy open women's fourThis perpetual trophy was donated by the Herald and Weekly Times in 1968.

herald and weekly times trophy open women's four

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florence eaton trophy open women's eightFirst presented by the donor Florence Eaton in 1968. Florence was the then President of the Australian Women’s Rowing Council which was soon thereafter to be merged with the men’s association.

florence eaton trophy open women's eight

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Herald and Weekly Times Trophy open women's lightweight single scullsThis is the second trophy donated by the Herald & Weekly Times and was first presented in 1968.

Herald and Weekly Times Trophy open women's lightweight single sculls

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Lucerne Cup Open Men's Lightweight FourFirst presented in 1975, it commemorates Australia’s period of great success in lightweight rowing. This period commenced in Lucerne in 1974 with a men’s lightweight four winning the FISA Lightweight Four Championship. The members of that crew, Colin Smith, Geoff Rees, Andrew Michelmore and Campbell Johnson, donated this gilded trophy.

Lucerne Cup Open Men's Lightweight Four

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buckingham trophy open men's lightweight eightFirst presented in 2011, this trophy recognises the role of the Buckingham Rowing Club in the success of Tasmanian lightweight rowing. This unique trophy adds another style of trophy to the impressive national trophies.

buckingham trophy open men's lightweight eight

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yet to be named open women's lightweight eightFirst presented in 2025 with the introduction of this event, this cup provides a match to the men’s Buckingham Trophy.

yet to be named open women's lightweight eight

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australian federation of old oarsmen trophy under 23 men's eightIntroduced in 1982, this cup was donated by the national association of old oarsmen, whose membership comprised the state based organisations of similar names. These state organisations commenced in 1930s to provide a social outlet for past rowers and to support the organisation of the Interstate Championships when hosted in their State. They also arranged trips to the annual Interstate Championships and so were an important part of these events for many decades.

australian federation of old oarsmen trophy under 23 men's eight

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barrington cup schoolboy eightDonated by Rowing Tasmania in 1984 and first presented that year by Thomi Keller, FISA President. It recognised the world class course at Lake Barrington which went on to be the venue of 1990 World Rowing Championships.

barrington cup schoolboy eight

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yet to be named schoolgirl pointscore

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the brian vear memorial trophy interstate men's masters eightIn 2008, Rowing Australia approved the RA Masters Committee’s recommendation to name the Interstate Men’s Masters Eight trophy in honour of Brian. His widow, Julia, presented the trophy that year at Nagambie. Originally awarded to H.J. Whiting in 1904, it was won by Albert Park Rowing Club at the VRA Regatta. Donated by the Whiting family, the trophy now encourages interstate competition among Masters rowers across Australia.

the brian vear memorial trophy interstate men's masters eight

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interstate masters championship trophy interstate women's masters eightThis novel and interesting trophy was donated by Silvio Pradella, celebrating the success of the Qld women's eight crew Interstate Masters Champions 2002, 2003 and 2004. All the crew and coach came from Toowong Rowing Club.

interstate masters championship trophy interstate women's masters eight

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john whiting cup non-composite men's and women's club eights

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veterans cup interstate women's masters quad scullThis trophy harks back to the years when masters rowers were known as veteran rowers. The origins of the trophy are not known but it was a trophy used in the early years of national competition.

veterans cup interstate women's masters quad scull

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Interstate Masters Championship Trophy interstate men's masters quad scullThis trophy was provided by Rowing Australia to match the Veterans Cup for the Interstate Quad Scull.

Interstate Masters Championship Trophy interstate men's masters quad scull

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RUSTY ROBERTSON TROPHY TRANS TASMAN YOUTH POINTSCOREIn 1990 the Rusty Robertson trophy was inaugurated as the overall points score trophy for the Trans Tasman competition in memory of the late Rusty Robertson, famed coach of both Australian and New Zealand crews, who died in 1990. The trophy has followed the changes made to the Trans Tasman Series over this period.

RUSTY ROBERTSON TROPHY TRANS TASMAN YOUTH POINTSCORE