NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Program 2025/26 - Category 1

Category 1 – Infrastructure

Eligible applicants are: 

• Incorporated, not for profit rugby union clubs, associations, zones in NSW that are affiliated and have met compliance requirements by NSWRU and/or ACT&SNSWRU.
• Local Government Authorities in NSW

Category 1 – Infrastructure

Funds can be used for constructing new or upgrading existing Rugby facilities that demonstrate inclusive and accessible design and maximise community participation. 

Examples of eligible project types and project components include: 

• New or upgraded synthetic, hybrid or turf pitches, including improvements to pitch drainage, full resurfacing and irrigation. 
• New or improved field lighting.
• Upgraded or new amenity buildings such as gender neutral change rooms, canteen/kiosk, club rooms, grandstands, seating, shade/shelter, or storage spaces that are universally designed.

Staged components of a larger facility development are eligible, providing the stage being applied for meets the Program eligibility criteria.Acknowledging that many venues in NSW are used for multiple sports, facility development projects supported through the Program must demonstrate the primary benefit is to Rugby participants and stakeholders.

Investment will prioritise projects that target priority regions by addressing demand in vital areas for participation and population growth (priority regions) that address the key areas of priority identified in the Rugby National Facility Audit:

• Provide female friendly change rooms
• Improve the club rooms environment
• Adequate and sustainable lighting to provide safe environments and increase time to play

Projects should commence from June 2026 and must be completed by June 2028.

The project must be completed by 30 June 2028.

The objectives align with Rugby Australia’s strategy and NSW Rugby Union and ACT & Southern NSW Rugby Union’s strategy to - increase inclusion and boost participation in Rugby Union, specifically for under-represented groups, including women and girls, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, First Nations peoples and LGBTQIA+ people.

Ineligible applicants are any organisation types not listed in the ‘Eligible Applicants’ section for each respective category; and include (but are not limited to):

• Individuals, groups, Rugby organisations or deliverers who are not affiliated by NSWRU and/or ACT&SNSWRU and do not supply a letter of support from either NSWRU or ACT&SNSWRU as part of their application.
• These include but are not limited to: 
• Individuals 
• Private Rugby academies 
• Super Rugby clubs (men and women) 
• Schools, universities and TAFE’s 
• Parents and Citizens (P&C’s) Associations 
• Organisations named: (i) by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of institutions that have not joined or signified their intent not to join the Scheme; or (ii) in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has not yet joined the National Redress Scheme.

Examples of ineligible project types and project components include: 

• Facilities that are not primarily used for Rugby activities. 
• Facilities that are on private land unless there is clear public benefit to the community Rugby and have documented consent from the landowner. 
• Purchase or lease of land/facility.
• Costs associated with feasibility, design, or development stages including feasibility studies, business cases and masterplans. 
• Costs associated with preparing and submitting the application for funding under this program. 
• Items that do not meet relevant Australian standards. 
• General maintenance or repair of normal wear and tear of facilities, e.g. running costs and minor repairs to existing facilities. 
• Repair of facilities where the damage can be covered by insurance. 
• General administration or operating expenses such as rent or wages for administrative and/or executive staff. 
• Related to buying or upgrading non-fixed equipment (e.g. lawn mowers, portable scoreboards, goalposts or grandstands, cones, computers, office goods, clothing and footwear). 
• Retrospective funding, where projects have commenced construction or are completed prior to submission of your application. 
• Projects that have already been funded by the NSW Government unless significant new and additional scope is identified. 
• For the building or upgrade of licensed areas and gaming areas. 
• Project administration costs, such as project management administration staffing. 
• Ancillary infrastructure e.g. car park, access road.