Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $5,000 to $20,000
- Application opened: 15 December 2025
- Application closes: 16 February 2026, 1:00 pm
Program objective
The Program aims to improve Rugby facilities and support infrastructure, increase participation opportunities, and improve player pathways. It will support Rugby in all Rugby Australia and World Rugby game formats, at all levels through the construction or upgrade of community facilities, participation initiatives, leadership and development programs. These improvements will create a tournament legacy ensuring all of NSW is positively impacted from hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
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.
Category 2 - Participation stream - key objectives are to:
- Increase participation in Rugby with new or enhanced programs, competitions or tournaments
- Increase opportunities for participation in Rugby for under-represented groups
This program is administered by Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding, you must be;
- 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.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Category 2 - Participation
Funds can be used to support increased Rugby new or enhanced participation programs, competitions or tournaments.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- New or enhanced programs/competitions targeting participation increase for women and girls’ participation (e.g. girls leagues)
- New or enhanced programs/competitions targeting participation of under-represented groups and/or new markets e.g. First Nations or Pasifika groups
- New or enhanced non-contact programs/competitions to introduce new audiences to Rugby e.g. Tri Tag Rugby programs
- New or enhanced programs targeting introductory programs for children and young people e.g. Get into Rugby programs or Tri Tag Rugby programs
- Accredited coaching, officiating or inclusive education, leadership development or training to support new or enhanced programs/competition
When the project can start and end
Projects are to commence within 3 months of the notification and must be completed by December 2027.
The project must be completed by 31 December 2027.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
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.
Who can’t apply
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
- Local Government Councils (only for Category 2 - Participation streams)
- 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.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Examples of ineligible projects/project costs include:
- Subsidised membership or participation fees
- Projects that are not primarily for Rugby activities
- Projects that do not align with Rugby Australia and World Rugby game formats and introductory programs
- Food, drink, catering or hospitality
- Prize money, trophies/awards or attendance incentives not related to proposed activity
- Entertainment
- Events that are organised for the primary purpose of fundraising, including charity fundraising events
- Individual scholarships/sponsorships
- Subsidy for school sporting activities and events
- Programs/events that are one-off in nature and do not support ongoing participation opportunities e.g. a stand-alone gala day or ‘Come and Try’ event
- Ongoing and annual operational costs e.g., staff wages and administration costs that relate to the running of the club/organisation including yearly subscriptions/memberships and venue hire
- Purchase or rental of land or premises, vehicles, office equipment (e.g.: office furniture, printers, photocopiers, technology hardware)
- Projects that have already been funded by the NSW Government unless significant new and additional project scope is identified
- Retrospective funding e.g., projects that have already commenced or been completed prior to May 2026
Project budgets should not include any ineligible costs, and these will be removed by assessors if included, at the absolute discretion of the Office of Sport.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Refer to the Supporting Documentation section, on page 18 of the Program Guidelines.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
Step 1: Check your eligibility
- See Eligible Applicants section of these Guidelines to see which organisations can apply for funding.
- If you are not eligible, you may be able to partner with an eligible organisation, although they will need to be the applicant organisation and submit the application
Step 2: Understand the requirements
- Before you apply, please read these guidelines and related materials including the application checklist to make sure you understand all relevant requirements, including whether you are eligible to apply.
- You can find the relevant information on the Office of Sport’s website: NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Program
Step 3: Prepare your application
- Gather your evidence including letters of support, funding commitments, development approvals/exemptions, images, plans, quotes, participation data etc.
- Consider using the SmartyGrants tool, SmartyFile. The tool allows organisations to collaborate with team members, pre-fill information into forms and manage, view, search and sort submissions across multiple funders in one spot. Applicants with an ABN can use this function.
Step 4: Submit your application
- Applying for a grant is a simple process using the SmartyGrants platform.
- The Office of Sport recommends that applicants familiarise themselves with the online application form ahead of preparing the application and plan to submit ahead of the closing date to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
- Complete your application by filling in each of the sections. The SmartyGrants portal will not accept submission of an application unless all mandatory documents have been uploaded.
- Submit your application as soon as possible and before the closing date and time.
- You will be asked to declare that “The responses in this application and all supporting documents provided are to the best of my knowledge true and correct”. The application may be deemed ineligible if the application contains false or misleading statements.
- Projects must be submitted through the SmartyGrants website to be considered eligible.
- Successful submissions will be issued with a SmartyGrants system generated acknowledgement email containing a PDF copy of the application which will confirm the time the application was submitted.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Minister For Sport
The NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Program is administered by the Office of Sport in two stages:
- Eligibility check
- Merit assessment
Throughout the assessment process the Office of Sport may request additional information from the applicant. An independent probity advisor will oversee the grant process and attend all Grant Assessment Panel meetings. The Minister for Sport will consider the recommendations of the Grant Assessment Panel and make decisions relating to the approval of funding.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is May 2026 onwards
Support and contact
Office of Sport - Grants
grants@sport.nsw.gov.au
13 13 02 (option 5)