Record Entries and Extraordinary Talent: Public Voting Opens for the BMA River 2 Reef Ride Youth Jersey Design Competition
MACKAY, QLD – The artistic talent of high school students across the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions is being celebrated this week following the overwhelming response to the annual BMA River 2 Reef Ride Youth Jersey Design Competition.
The competition, which officially closed on Sunday, 22 February, provides local high school artists with a unique platform to showcase their creativity to the cycling world while building a burgeoning professional portfolio.
Now in its third year, the initiative has seen unprecedented growth. The number of design entries submitted for the 2026 event more than doubled compared to previous years, with the extraordinary creative calibre completely blowing away the event team, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Event Director Nikki Giles said the competition is achieving exactly what it set out to do: elevating the dreams of local youth.
"We are so proud of the real-world impact this competition is having," said Nikki.
"Our very first competition winner, Naiya, included her winning jersey design in her artistic portfolio and has since been accepted for an animation scholarship at Griffith University. That is exactly why we do this, to give our local youth a tangible stepping stone for their future careers."
The legacy of the winning artwork extends far beyond the festival weekend. The winning artist’s name and design are printed directly onto hundreds of event jerseys, transforming the region's cyclists into moving canvases.
"In the Mackay region alone, you don't go a week without seeing one of our past BMA River 2 Reef Ride jerseys out on the roads," Nikki added.
2024 Winning Youth Artist: Naiya Luczynski wearing her winning design.
"We still see jerseys from our 2011 event being worn by riders right across the state. Imagine the power and pride our young artists and their families will feel when they see their winning designs still being worn in 15 years' time."
Following the record-breaking influx of submissions, there are now four finalists vying for a prize pool that rewards their creative efforts. First place will receive $500 cash and the ultimate prize of having their artwork featured on this year's event jersey. Second place will receive $250 cash, third place will take home $100 cash and fourth place $50.
The four finalists are high school students representing the following schools:
· Mackay State High School (Mackay)
· St Catherine’s College (Proserpine)
· Mackay Christian College (Mackay)
· Whitsunday Anglican School (Mackay)
The competition has garnered an unprecedented amount of public interest in 2026, with more than 2,500 votes being cast by the public in just the first 24hours of the polls opening.
"We encourage everyone to get behind these talented students by casting a vote, and to further show your support by registering for the ride and purchasing this year's jersey. Every jersey worn is a celebration of our youth, and the profits from the festival are distributed directly to the local organisations that do so much for our region." said Nikki.
The public is invited to view the incredible artwork and vote for their favourite design to become the official 2026 BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival jersey.
Voting Details:
· Where to vote: Visit www.river2reefride.com.au/vote-now
· Voting Closes: Midnight on 16 March 2026
The winning jersey will be worn with pride at this year’s BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival, which will be held over the weekend of 15 and 16 August 2026. Official participant registrations for the festival will open on 18 March.
For more information on the festival, or to register for a ride, visit https://www.river2reefride.com.au/