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weekender
the western
The Voice of Penrith
Thursday, August 7, 2025
PANTHERS & PADDLERS W
ith the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships just over 50 days away, Paddle Australia has announced an iconic partnership that will showcase the best of the Penrith region to the world. In what’s being described as a “powerhouse move”, Paddle Australia is joining forces with the Panthers Group as a Platinum Partner of the World Championships, a collaboration that unites two of the region’s most successful sporting institutions and underscores Penrith’s place on the global sporting map. The Panthers Group will play a central
role in next month’s World Championships as the Official Accommodation Partner and Official Hospitality Partner, ensuring athletes, officials and fans experience the very best Penrith has to offer. Penrith has long punched above its weight in the sporting world, producing Olympic gold medallists like Jess and Noemie Fox, as well as the Penrith Panthers four-peat NRL Premiership run. The 2025 World Championships are set to further cement the region’s legacy as a home of champions, with more than 300 elite athletes from over 40 nations set to descend on the Penrith Whitewater Stadium from September 29 to October 4. “Paddle Australia is proud to be part-
nering with such an iconic brand in the Panthers Group,” Paddle Australia CEO, Kim Crane said. “This is more than a partnership – it’s a celebration of Penrith’s powerhouse spirit and our shared commitment to people, place and performance. Together, we are showcasing the best of Australia to the world and creating a legacy that will ripple beyond water. “We’re proud to welcome Panthers Group to the Paddle Australia team – a valuesaligned partner who understands that success is always a team sport.” Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said he was proud to support the event and to welcome the world to the Panthers Precinct.
“This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to positioning Penrith as a leading destination for international sport and entertainment, with the precinct offering world-class facilities, hospitality, and a vibrant community experience,” he said. Olympic champion Noemie Fox said she was “super excited” about the partnership. “I think it’s an incredible partnership… it feels like Panthers is trying to lift us up under their wing and that is just amazing to see,” Fox told the Weekender. “We are a small sport and we got a lot of hype after Paris – now a lot of people know what kayaking is, which is incredible.” Story continues on » p. 62
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NATHAN TAYLOR