Rockingham Beach Cup to receive $177k funding boost from City of Rockingham

The iconic Channel 7 Rockingham Beach Cup will return bigger and better this year thanks to a generous funding boost announced by the City of Rockingham.

A total of $177,500 in Iconic Event funding will be provided after the council voted in favour of the grant at its general meeting last Tuesday.

The annual event is on from November 11 to 12, with a community festival and a series of horse races to take place on the sand at the Rockingham foreshore.

Delivered by the Rotary Club of Palm Beach WA, the 2023 Rockingham Beach Cup will mark the fifth year the unique racing event has taken place.

Mayor Deb Hamblin said the council was pleased to provide this important financial support again.

“Over the years the Rockingham Beach Cup has consistently demonstrated that it is the type of event which can drive economic growth and enhance tourism in our City,” she said.

“The City hopes to see many locals and visitors from far and wide descend on the Rockingham foreshore and rediscover Rockingham this November when it returns.”

Last year, approximately 22,000 people flocked to the local foreshore to enjoy the two-day festivities, with more than 9000 visitors coming from outside Rockingham.

The event injected more than $1.5 million into the local economy and for every dollar of grant funding provided by the City, $5.51 in visitor expenditure was generated.

Rockingham Beach Cup committee chair Donna McDonald said the Rotary Club of Palm Beach was excited to present the event with support from the City.

“The Rotary Club of Palm Beach is delighted to again bring the racetrack to the seaside,” she said.

“The two-day event brings locals and visitors together to connect as a vibrant and active community and to rediscover Rockingham.

“We are very excited crowds will again have the opportunity to experience the magic of horses thundering down our beautiful foreshore.”