COMMUNITY STRENGTH THROUGH PADDLING
COMMUNITY STRENGTH THROUGH PADDLING
Forza Italia Dragon Boat Club was formed in 1991, primarily of members, family and friends of the Italian community of the City of Bunbury, Western Australia.
Forza first raced in the Novice Division and remained undefeated in all major Dragon Boat Regatta's of the Western Australia Dragon Boat Association Inc. (WADBA). During this first year of racing, Forza participated as a mixed team - maximum of 10 men and 10 women.
Forza joined WADBA as a full member in 1992 and moved into the Open Division of Dragon Boat Racing in Western Australia. Success was swift with wins in Western Australian regattas - Mandurah, Perth, Bunbury and the Augusta Marathon (8km). Success continued in following seasons with our ladies team winning the Western Australian State Championships and our men's team winning the coveted International Dragon Boat Festival of Bunbury in successive years - 1995 and 1996. Forza has also won the Western Australia State Masters (35 & over) Championships (1994,1995, 1996) and the Australian Masters Championship in 1996.
Season 1996/97 was our most successful season to date with wins at all WADBA regattas and success at the Western Australian State Championships with wins in both the Junior and Mixed divisions of racing. Consistency also meant that Forza was awarded the coveted Grand Prix Champion Club for 1996/97.
Forza has also competed internationally, being the only Australian team invited to compete at the Sixth Singapore World Invitational Dragon Boat Regatta 1996. Forza reached the World Mens Invitational Final finishing sixth - with a boat full of water!!!
Forza club members have also competed with success at National and other International events with both Western Australian and City of Bunbury International Dragon Boat Teams - Penang (1991/1992/1995), Sabah (1992), Hong Kong (1994), Macau (1994), Sydney (1992/1993) and Canberra (1994).
Send mail to fidbc@geocities.com .
This page remains the property of Forza Italia Dragon Boat Club.
Last modified: March 15, 1999