NSW Rugby World Cup Legacy Program 2026/27 - Category 2

Eligible applicants are: 

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

Category 2 - Participation

Funds will be prioritised to projects that are:

• new or innovative
• for program/competition formats that expand participation base and/or
• pilot alternative models of competition delivery beyond traditional programs.

Programs put forward for funding should be holistic and demonstrate that consideration has been given to all the elements of the program necessary to result in the increased participation and other outcomes.

Where a new population group is targeted, there should be a clear explanation of the opportunity (e.g.: size of market, level of interest/demand), how the consultation and ongoing engagement with this group will occur and be sustained over the delivery timeframe to maximise sustainability of the program.

The proposed program should be discussed with the relevant contact at NSWRU and/or ACT&SNSWRU staff to ensure that its realistic, aligns with the Rugby Strategic priorities and feedback and support can be provided to strengthen the application.  Please note the relevant Rugby contact will not be involved in the assessment of the application.

Examples of population groups that may be targeted or modified programs/competitions that may be considered include:

• Women and girls’ participation (e.g. new girls’ competitions) 
• First Nations or Pasifika groups 
• Tri Tag Rugby Programs (adults)
• Modified programs/competitions for Under 85kg, over 35 aged etc
• Introductory programs for children and young people e.g. Get into Rugby programs or Tri Tag Rugby programs. 

Category 2 – Participation: Projects commence within 6 months of the notification to successful applicants and must be completed by December 2028.

The project must be completed by 31 December 2028.

The objectives align with Rugby Australia’s strategy and NSW Rugby Union and ACT & Southern NSW Rugby Union’s strategy and are listed below.

Category 2 - Participation stream - key objectives are to:  

• Increase participation in Rugby with new or enhanced program/competition formats
• Increase opportunities for participation in Rugby for under-represented groups
• Priority will be given to innovative, program/competition formats that expand participation pathways and/or test alternative models of competition delivery beyond traditional programs.

Examples of eligible cost items include (but are not limited to): 

• Staff including co-ordinators, coaches/facilitators to directly run programs/competitions, medic/first aid officers
• Marketing costs - limited to 10% of grant amount request
• Welcome/Acknowledgement to Country, Pride and other social/cultural initiatives – limited to 10% of the grant amount request
• Equipment (e.g. Tri Tag belts for a Tri Tag program, or new female uniforms for a women and girls’ program) – limited to 20% of grant amount request
• Education courses (e.g.: coaching, officiating) only where it will directly support new or enhanced programs/competitions
• Education presenter (e.g. contractor to deliver training/learning opportunity) only where it will directly support new or enhanced programs/competitions.

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

Category 2 – Participation

• Local Government Councils
• Rugby union clubs
• Rugby union clubs, associations, zones or other deliverers who are not affiliated with, or have not met compliance requirements of NSWRU and/or ACT&SNSWRU.
• Individuals 
• Private Rugby academies 
• Super Rugby clubs (men and women)
• State Sporting Organisations/State Sporting Organisation for people with Disability 
• National Sporting Organisations/National Sporting Organisation for people with Disability
• Schools, universities and TAFE’s 
• Parents and Citizens (P&C’s) Associations 
• Organisations named:
  • 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
  • in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has not yet joined the National Redress Scheme.

Category 2 - Participation

Examples of ineligible projects/project costs include: 

• Subsidised membership or participation fees.
• Projects that are not primarily for rugby union activities. 
• Projects that are located outside NSW.
• Projects that do not align with Rugby Australia and World Rugby game formats and introductory programs. 
• Food, drink, catering or hospitality. 
• Prize money or attendance incentives not related to proposed activity. 
• Events that are organised for the primary purpose of fundraising, including charity fundraising events. 
• Individual scholarships/sponsorships. 
• Subsidy for school sporting activities and events, e.g. in-school activations. For clarity community-based school participation is eligible.
• 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.
• Interstate and International Travel and Accommodation Costs.
• 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.
• Medical equipment or associated medical costs, e.g. first aid supplies, defibrillators.
• 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 submission of your application. 

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.

All applications are expected to provide a minimum 25% financial co-contribution of the total project cost (e.g. if an applicant’s total project cost is $50,000, they should have at least a $12,500 co-contribution).