The Federal and State Governments have announced they will provide a combined $3.2 million to Paddle Australia to support the hosting of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships at Penrith Whitewater Stadium in October next year.
The funding will be used by Paddle Australia for the organisation, staging, marketing and programming of the event.
Approximately 300 competitors from 50 nations will compete in the World Championships across ten events, supported by 100 coaches, officials and staff with an estimated 20,000 spectators expected to attend the Championships.
The World Championships will feature 10 medal events including Canoe and Kayak singles (C1 and K1), Canoe and Kayak Teams, and Kayak Cross, with Olympic Gold Medallists and local legends Jess and Noemie Fox scheduled to compete.
The State Government will also confirm today it is naming the island in the heart of Penrith Whitewater Stadium Fox Island.
The announcement follows the recent completion of a $3.1 million upgrade to Penrith Whitewater Stadium to enable it to stage the World Championships which included upgrades to the whitewater course and venue infrastructure, including new course gates and obstacles, a new timing system, refurbishment of pumps, stadium pathways improvements and canoe conveyor system upgrades.
“We are proud of our world-class sporting venues which have hosted some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the Penrith Whitewater Stadium and Sydney International Regatta Centre,” said Deputy Premier and Londonderry MP, Prue Car.
“The Fox family has made a tremendous impact to the local and paddling communities, and it is only fitting to have Penrith Whitewater Stadium become home to Fox Island.
“The 2025 Canoe Slalom World Championships will boost both the Penrith community and Western Sydney economy, and we look forward to hosting the world’s best paddle sport athletes and showing them some Penrith hospitality.”
Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, said the Paddle Championships is another major international competition on our green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games.
“This is a world class event that will help inspire our next generation of canoe and kayak stars while adding to our investment in two Rugby World Cups, Netball World Cup and Women’s Asian Cup,” she said.
“The Fox family are incredible ambassadors not just for their sport but for sport full stop and deserve the Fox Island honour for all they have contributed to Australia.”
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns will visit the Whitewater Stadium today to make the formal announcement.
“NSW is rightly proud of our Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship legacy, and we couldn’t be more excited to help host the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships in the heart of western Sydney,” he said.
“A large part of Australia’s most successful Olympics performance in history came down to two girls from Penrith, Jess and Noemie Fox who honed their skills through countless hours on the rapids here at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
“To recognise the significant contribution of the Fox family to Australian sport – from Jess and Noemie to their parents Richard and Myriam, we are very proud to also be naming the island at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, Fox Island.”
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.