Foundation Grants & Scholarship Program

Foundation Grants Program

Through its strategic vision of “Sharing the Spirit of the Game’’ The Rugby Club Foundation is pursuing its primary object of supporting grassroots Rugby by way of a financial grants program.

In the 2021-2022 Financial year the Foundation provided over $500,000 in grants to grassroots Rugby programs. We are pleased to be in the position to continue to offer grants through this program, and are proud to now open the next round of applications for 2023.

Applications must be submitted using our online form and include, but need not be limited to, the following details:

• The project/program requiring financial assistance,

• An outline of how this project/program will encourage and/or grow the sport of Rugby,

• The financial amount sought to assist in funding the project/program, along with a budget outlining the expenses to be incurred,

• Confirmation of the ability to dollar match the Foundation’s contribution (this is a requirement to receive any funding from The Rugby Club Foundation),

• Project/Program Reporting including how you will measure the success of your initiative and be able to tangibly demonstrate the impact of your project/program. For example, growth in participation numbers or number of qualified officials comparing before the program with after the program,

Please note that grants in this round will be capped at $20,000 + GST, hence a total of $22,000 inc GST. If your club/association is not registered for GST, the maximum amount that can be applied for is $20,000.

The Foundation is open to considering multi-year commitments. Applications seeking financial support across more than one year, must outline the annual funding sought and the number of years over which the project/program will run.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Foundation’s Grants FAQ page for information on what aspects of a program may be considered for funding.

Applications for financial grants can be submitted via the below button and must be received by no later than close of business on Monday 13 February 2023.

All applicants will receive an email confirmation that their application has been received.

Applications will be reviewed in March and the applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible in April.

Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarship

The Board of Directors of the Foundation believe there is no more fitting way in which to demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to grassroots Rugby than to establish scholarships for the benefit of Junior Rugby participants.

There can also be no more worthy person associated with those Rugby Scholarships than Sir Leslie Herron.

Two Rugby scholarships are awarded annually. One to a nominee of the Sydney Rugby Union and their other to a nominee of the NSW Country Junior Rugby Union.

The duration of each scholarship will be two years, and each is valued at $3,000.00 (payable over two years at a rate of $1,500.00 per annum).

The objective of the scholarship is to further the recipient’s involvement in the game of Rugby through self-improvement. This may be achieved by undertaking education, career development or apprenticeship programs, or the like.

The criteria which is to be applied to the candidates for each scholarship shall revolve around the candidates’ contribution to Rugby and the levels of scholarship and citizenship which they have attained.

The candidates are to be age level Rugby players who have represented the Sydney Junior Rugby Union and the New South Wales Country Rugby Union respectively in either the Under 16 or Under 17 Rugby competitions conducted by those Unions.

Nominations should comprise of a resume and covering letter outlining how the scholarship will further the candidate’s involvement in the game through self-development and are due to their governing union no later than 2 December 2022.

The Sydney Junior Rugby Union and the New South Wales Country Junior Rugby Union are each invited to submit up to three candidates for the respective scholarships and applicants will be notified of the outcome in February 2023.

For more information visit the Herron Scholarship sections on the Foundation’s grants page