The Sunshine Coast's next generation of rowers has new equipment to take to the water, with Maroochy River Rowing Club officially launching their new EIGHT funded through Queensland Country Bank’s Good for Good Community Grants program.
The new scull represents an important investment in the volunteer-run, not-for-profit club, which is the Sunshine Coast's only youth-focused rowing club and provides pathways for young athletes from their first experience in a boat through to state and national competition.
Based at Muller Park at Bli Bli, Maroochy River Rowing Club has developed an impressive reputation for nurturing young rowing talent, with club athletes competing at Queensland and Australian championship level and earning selection in state pathways programs.
The new scull was officially launched at a special boat christening ceremony by the Maroochy River attended by dignitaries, club members, and Queensland Country Bank Maroochydore Branch Local Manager Mark Gielis and Personal Banking Specialist Mary-Anne Neilson.
For the club, the new equipment provides young Sunshine Coast rowers with quality equipment to train, compete and pursue their ambitions in the sport.
Maroochy River Rowing Club's President, Amanda Rukuwai Stoneman, said the new eight would make a significant difference for current and future athletes, for many years to come.
"An eight is nine athletes – eight rowers and a cox – learning to move together before sunrise, on a river that gives them something a screen never will. It teaches discipline: turning up when it's dark, doing the work when no one is watching, listening, committing to your crew, and understanding that the boat only moves well when everyone does their part," she said. "For many of our young rowers, it's about friendship, fitness, discipline, and having a reason to get up and outside – rowing gives them all of this."
"This boat won't just carry one crew. It'll carry every squad we put in it for years to come, and every young Sunshine Coast rower who steps into it long after this crew has moved on. Queensland Country Bank's support means one more generation of local kids gets to experience the discipline, camaraderie and simple beauty of rowing on the Maroochy!"
Queensland Country Bank CEO Aaron Newman said seeing Good for Good funding translate into tangible community outcomes was exactly what the program was created to achieve.
"Every community has passionate people working hard to make life better for others, and often all they need is a helping hand to turn a great idea into reality," Mr Newman said. "In this case, that means young Sunshine Coast athletes having access to equipment that helps them participate, develop and potentially progress through the sport."
"Our Good for Good Community Grants are about backing those people and those projects. Whether it's supporting grassroots sport, upgrading community facilities, improving health and wellbeing, increasing access and inclusion or investing in young people, we're proud to help communities thrive."
"As a customer-owned bank, our profits are reinvested back into products and services for our Members and communities," Mr Newman said. "These grants are one of the most tangible ways we can give back and create lasting local impact across Queensland."