NSWRU is pleased to be one of 26 recipients benefitting from The Rugby Club Foundation’s 2020 – 2021 Grants Program.

A major benefactor of community Rugby, The Rugby Club Foundation has extended its partnership with NSWRU by continuing to directly support NSW Rugby’s development programs and enhance the growth of the game across the State.

Support from The Rugby Club Foundation will allow NSWRU to employ additional Development Officers in metropolitan and regional areas.

With only one staff member previously dedicated to an area covering Forster to Tweed Heads, the engagement of an additional Development Officer on the North Coast will boost Rugby services, and presents a fantastic opportunity for the Mid and Far North Coast Zones.

Joey de Dassel has already commenced with NSWRU in this role, and brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and experience in rugby.

“As a long standing member of the local Rugby Community it’s an honour to be appointed as the Mid North Coast Development Officer. I’ve already hit the ground running and have held numerous skills and drills, coach mentor and education sessions at local schools and clubs to grow the game. The generous support of The Rugby Club Foundation has been warmly received by the Zone.”

Development Officers will also be appointed in Illawarra and in Sydney once the current public health orders are relaxed.

NSWRU Chief Executive Officer Paul Doorn expressed NSW Rugby’s gratitude to The Rugby Club Foundation for their ongoing support.

“We have seen our programs right across the State grow and benefit from The Rugby Club Foundation’s support. Their continued investment in the game will ensure that we are able to continue to best support community rugby in New South Wales, and reach communities across the State, in both metropolitan and regional areas” Doorn said.

“The Foundation’s vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’ defines the significant role it continues to play in spreading and strengthening the influence of the game in our State and around the country,” he said.

Paula Ward, Chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee said: “The Rugby Club Foundation has a continuing passion and commitment directed at strengthening Rugby at the grassroots community level. We are delighted to be able to continue to work with the NSW Rugby Union on our shared goals over the coming 12 months,” she said.

Angus Bruxner, Chairman of the Foundation’s, 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’.

“Development officers remain at the frontline of delivering programs that introduce, encourage and improve the skills of participants at this level of Rugby. By continuing to support NSW Rugby’s development officer program the Foundation is making an essential and measurable contribution to Rugby growing to its maximum potential, and prioritising the health and wellbeing of the Rugby community and, more specifically, the grass roots level of the game,” Bruxner said.