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Hi Dragons Abreast Members!

What a fantastic weekend at the BCNA Field of Women at the MCG in Melbourne last weekend and a big thank you to DA Melbourne Pink Phoenix for organising the Saturday social paddle. It was wonderful to see so many on water and the grounds at the "G" in support of our breast cancer sisters.

We would like to thank Janelle Pritchard for assisting DBQ so they were able to receive a grant of $50,000.  More information further down in this newsletter how this benefits DAA QLD members. 

Congratulations to our Membership Director, Sharon Cooper who completed the Women Leaders in Sport training course with the assistance of a AusDBF scholarship.

Your Coordinators and Committees have been invited to join a zoom meeting on Monday evening. This will be a great time to let you know about Come 'n Try vouchers and further details about our 25th Anniversary Celebrations. If you would like to join this zoom please speak to your Coordinator.

The days are counting down for our 25th Anniversary 'Celebrate Life' in Penrith.  How time flies with only 35 sleeps to go!  Registrations are still coming in with the close by date being the 9th September. Hope you've registered your crews. 

Our thanks go to Merlin Gear and the great support they are providing in producing a new look DAA paddle as we mark 25 years of dragon boating in Australia.  More information below.

The Ord River organisers are working hard to provide us with information about this event and we'll let you know as soon as we hear from them. 

Until then, it's Paddles Up!

Pearl, Leonie, Sharon, Sue, Ann, Kellie

Register here 

https://www.revolutionise.com.au/dragonsaa/events/

Registrations close 5.00pm Saturday 9th September.

Individuals – register and pay using the RevSport link provided above.  You will then be put into a composite boats (Team Spirit, Team Hope or Team Inspiration).

Teams – register using the RevSport link provided. We will then send an invoice for payment to the Group.

Drummers and Sweeps - Please see changes to AusDBF Safety Rules under Racing DBNSW below.

Remember to get your Opal Card if you're travelling around NSW before or after the event. Your Opal Card lets seniors/pensioners/concession cards holders travel on all modes of public transport - metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail - throughout Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central coast, Hunter, Illawarra and the Southern Highlands.  It takes about a week to receive your Opal Card.  transportnsw.info/opal

A big thank you for partnering with DAA

Merlin Paddles

Bringing sexy back with new DAA paddles!

Will be on display at the Merlin marquee at Penrith.

These designer paddles will be available to order via Merlin's online store from the
1st September and can be collected
at the Festival. 

Merlin are offering DAA members a $15 discount when purchasing this designer paddle in recognition of the great work you are doing.

Online orders will be open on the 1st September.

• Fixed length with a Tee Bar handle - $325
• Fixed length with a Palm Grip handle - $350
• Adjustable length paddle (tee Bar only) - $360

Superior Quality Dragon Boat Paddles in Australia | Merlin Paddles (merlingear.com)

The Board of Dragons Abreast Australia are delighted to announce the inclusion of BCS 10's racing at Dragon Boat NSW regattas this coming season. DAA will be providing support to enter composite crews. Please follow the link to view available events. URGENT NOTE Registration for Round One closes today.

https://client.revolutionise.com.au/dragonsaa/events/overview/

As per DBNSW policy the entry fee for regatta is only payable once. Please choose and register with the correct option (DAA Only which is $41, or $0 if already paid and registered with a sports crew).

Please note that to run the category DBNSW require a minimum of three boats. The success of keeping this category is dependent on the support we as BCS paddlers put behind it. This is a fantastic opportunity to increase the visibility and participation of BCS in the sport of dragon boating. If you have a full 10's crew (including drummer and sweep who must also be BCS according to AusDBF/DBNSW rules) you are able to register direct with DBNSW by following this link. https://www.revolutionise.com.au/dragonsaa/events/

Travelling paddlers are welcome to join in the composite crews, so please make your members aware of this wonderful opportunity. This will also give us match practice to increase our confidence when paddling at the State and National Championships.

Volunteer Opportunities

We have had several queries about volunteering at the DBNSW regatta the day after the DAA's 25th Anniversary festival. Please register your interest by following this link.

https://www.dbnsw.org.au/surveys/4722/

Drummers and Sweeps - From 1st July 2023 it is mandatory for all drummers (or anyone sitting on the front of the boat) and sweeps to wear PFDs at training sessions and regattas.  AusDBF Safety Handbook - Section 3.4

Please note that if you are paddling on Sunday's Round 2, you will need to find your own way to Tench.

Earlier this year the Queensland Department of Sport & Recreation opened up an 'Active Industry Project Fund'. This grant opportunity was only open to state or nationally based sporting groups operating in Queensland. Organisations could apply for an individual grant of $20,000. However, when entities collaborated, then larger grants were available. 

It is with great delight the DAA Board advise that through collaboration Dragon Boat Queensland successfully gained a grant of $50,000. 

The $50,000 grant will be used to offer a range of training options and services open to members of any registered Queensland dragon boat club and includes invitation of all Queensland registered Dragons Abreast Groups and Individual Members residing in Queensland.

DAA have also provided further support to DBQ by providing them with Letter of Support to Dragon Boat Queensland's application for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund to purchase a 'Brooks - Photo Finish' timing system.  This timing system will be available for Queensland Clubs to use at regional regattas, and at DBQ events e.g. Coast to Coast in 10-11 November 2023 and State Championships. 

Over the past 18 months the Board of DAA have endeavoured to increase communication and collaboration with all State associations and AusDBF.  Increased communication and collaboration is vital to continue the growth and reach of the sport of dragon boat racing, and also open up training and other opportunities for DAA Member Groups and Individual Members. 

A big thank you to our Grants Officer Janelle Pritchard and Finance Director Sue Von Richter, for their work to assist Dragon Boat Queensland with their grant applications.  

Thanks to all paddlers who have expressed their interest in participating in this extr-ORD-inary challenge in the Top End! EOIs are flooding in and we have heard from the organisers that they will be releasing registration information shortly. 

DAA will contact all those who have expressed interest, so we can confirm availability of seating in a composite crew or a crew within a DAA group and the cost.  Stay tuned.

Fri 29th - 30th September

1st October

 7-14th October

 10-11th November

 16th November 2023

25th Anniversary Festival, Tench Reserve, Penrith, NSW

DBNSW Round 2 - Registration details above.

   Australian Masters Games, Adelaide

   DBQ Coast to Coast

DAA Annual General Meeting (Online)

6.30pm Brisbane

7.30pm Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania

7.00pm South Australia

4.30pm Western Australia

16-24th April 2024

2024 AusChamps will be held at Champion Lakes, Armadale, (Perth, WA).

9th June 2024

Ord River 55 km Paddle-Marathon,  Kununurra, WA

Paddles Up!

Pearl, Sue, Leonie, Sharon, Ann and Kellie

Connect.Move.Live.

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