The Rugby Club Foundation is both pleased and proud to announce that, during the financial year ended 30 June 2021, its Grants Program provided more than $450,000 in support of 26 grassroots Rugby endeavours across the State of NSW.

Notwithstanding the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation’s financial support, and its resulting benefits, has provided a much-needed boost in all corners of the game.

The beneficiaries of the Foundation’s 2020 – 2021 Grants Program include the Central Coast Junior Development Program, a Mid North Coast Girls’ Sevens competition, referees’ development, first aid and safety resources, the NSW Country Junior Championships, and the Australian Schools Rugby Carnival.

Since the inception of the Grants Program in 2017, the Foundation has now assisted 80 grassroots Rugby projects with grants totalling more than $1.25 million.

Paula Ward, Chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee said: “This year, the largest amount of funding the Foundation has been able to generate to date has contributed directly to the development and implementation of a range of grassroots Rugby initiatives across the state.

“That is more than $450,000 providing opportunities for male and female players, coaches and officials of all ages, abilities, and levels of experience, in all formats of Rugby.

“The Members of the Foundation look forward to seeing the outcomes of these initiatives within the grassroots Rugby community.”

The impact of the Foundation’s support is being widely appreciated within community Rugby, with a number of programs being conducted this year that were held over from the 2019-2020 financial year due to the global pandemic.

In a year of continuing hardship, the Foundation was able to pay the registrations for players competing at the NSW Country Junior Rugby Union Championships and the NSW Junior Rugby Union State Championships, thus relieving clubs and families of that financial burden.

Mid North Coast Zone President Peter Gerathy said: “We are thrilled that The Rugby Club Foundation has supported Rugby on the Mid North Coast.

“Thanks to their support of our new Girls Sevens’ initiative we estimate we have already gained 50-60 new Rugby players.”

Dan Andrews, Sydney South Rugby Referees Association Secretary, said the funding has led to substantial improvements within the refereeing sector.

“On behalf of our committee and members, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the generosity of The Rugby Club Foundation to help in the purchasing of referee communication equipment,” Andrews said.

“This equipment will help to educate, coach and develop the next generation of referees. Their ongoing support of referees in general and, through that, Junior Rugby in Sydney is greatly appreciated.”

Tim Richards, Executive Director of NSW Suburban Rugby, said the Foundation’s positive support is being felt across all competitions. Richards stated:

“Subbies has been able roll out an unprecedented multi-year, three-pronged suite of education initiatives covering match officials, coaches and administrators.

“The immediate on and off field benefits have been felt throughout the Subbies community and the Union expresses its sincere gratitude to The Rugby Club Foundation for its continued support.”

The positive feedback from the grassroots Rugby community reinforces the value of the Foundation’s approach to its Grants Program.

Angus Bruxner, the Foundation’s Chairman, said: “The Rugby Club Foundation is committed to increasing its financial support of grassroots Rugby as the primary component of its strategic vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’.

“By endorsing and continuing to support this strategic vision, the members of the Foundation can feel both proud and well satisfied that they are continuing to play an integral role in achieving the beneficial outcomes promoted by the Foundation’s grants strategy.

“The Foundation is grateful to everyone who participated in this latest round of grants, and I congratulate the successful grant recipients. I also again thank all Directors of the Foundation, and, more particularly, Paula Ward and her fellow Grants Committee members, Rob Bradley, Stuart Dickinson, Owen Finegan and James Maxwell, for the passion and dedication they bring to fulfilling their significant role in strengthening Rugby at the grassroots community level”.

Further information on the grants distributed in the 2021 financial year are available to be viewed by financial Foundation Members via the Members Portal. Please contact the office via admin@rugbyclub.com.au if you require the password.