The Foundation Continues To Deliver Financial Support for Grassroots Rugby

It is extremely satisfying for The Rugby Club Foundation to announce that, during the financial year ended 30 June 2023, its Grants Program provided more than $500,000 in support of 25 grassroots Rugby endeavours across Australia’s eastern seaboard and, for the first time, in South Australia.

Since it launched its Grants Program in 2017, the Foundation has now assisted 141 grassroots Rugby projects with grants totalling more than $2.2 million.

The beneficiaries of the Foundation’s 2023 – 2024 Grants Program include the NSW Suburban Rugby Union, NSW Junior State Championships, Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s National League, South Australian Rugby Union Referees Association, Central West Rugby Union and Rugby Victoria’s Youth Girls Competition, in respect of a diverse range of programs including junior player recruitment and retention, volunteer coach education, referees’ development, and first aid and safety resources.

Paula Ward, Chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee, said: “We are delighted to have been able to, once again, provide over half a million dollars to initiatives directly benefiting grassroots Rugby.

“Our funding has had the greatest impact in NSW, although we have grown our support outside the State to again include Victoria as well as expand into South Australia. We've also provided direct support to Wheelchair Australia's National League to encourage more players to have the opportunity to engage in our great game.

“Our Board is immensely proud that we continue to be able to deliver meaningful financial support to grassroots Rugby which so clearly makes a tangible difference to growing the game”.

The messages of gratitude and encouragement conveyed to the Foundation by all grant recipients constitute tangible evidence of the fact that the Foundation’s support continues to be widely appreciated within community Rugby.

NSW Juniors Vice President Ben Gregory said: “I would like to pass on the thanks of NSW Juniors for your generous and continued support of grassroots junior Rugby.

“The 2023 NSW Junior State Championships, proudly supported by The Rugby Club Foundation was the largest since its inception in 1958. Boys and Girls from 200 teams ranging from U10 to U18 participated in this year’s tournaments. The quality of our referees and first aid this year was better than ever and this can be attributed directly to your support.

“The feedback from what was very large crowds at all venues was fantastic. Everyone was positive about the game and enjoying rugby in the manner it should be played. A number of patrons came up and thanked us on your behalf for your amazing support. It was wonderful to see the rugby population appreciating what the Foundation does for the game.”

David Gunning, President of the South Australian Rugby Union Referees Association, said: “On behalf of South Australian Rugby Union Referees Association I wish to express our sincere thanks to the Rugby Club Foundation.

“We are delighted to accept this grant and be partnering with you in Female and Youth Match Official Development going forward.”

NSW Suburban Rugby Union’s Executive Director Tim Richards: said “Suburban Rugby’s initiatives with match officials and coaches simply would not exist without the Foundation’s generosity. The Foundation’s focus on funding practical measures to help community rugby is very much appreciated.”

Angus Bruxner, the Foundation’s Chairman, said: “I again thank all Directors of the Foundation for the ongoing commitment and passion they bring to fulfilling their significant role in strengthening Rugby at the grassroots community level.

“As we approach the imminent 2023 Rugby World Cup, it is wonderful to observe a resurgence in the level of support for Rugby in Australia. This level of support should continue to expand as we approach the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“Whilst it is extremely gratifying to witness this uplift in public support for the elite level of the game, it is imperative that this enthusiasm and commitment is also directed at increasingly generating the desire amongst all Rugby supporters to be involved in the nurturing and expansion of the game at a grassroots level.

“Impressed and inspired by the number and variety of the applications made during this year’s grants process, the Board of the Foundation is extremely proud to be playing a significant role in developing Rugby at a community level, and looks forward to making further important decisions which will support grassroots Rugby through the Foundation’s ongoing vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’.”

Further information on the grants distributed in the 2023 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.