News

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 and scholarship program, and are proud to now open the next round of applications for 2026.

The Rugby Club Foundation has again demonstrated its commitment to community Rugby in announcing its funding of 26 programs that support the game at the grassroots level. From remote communities to bustling cities, from minis to seniors, this latest round of financial grants will help grow participation, strengthen community ties, support mental wellbeing, and drive inclusion across every level of the game of Rugby.

The Rugby Club Foundation Collection has items with links to the Lions matches at the MCG from 1888, 1899 and 1930. The featured honour caps highlight the broad nature of the Foundation Collection – not only chronologically but across nations and also including match officials.

The current British & Irish Lions tour is the twelfth to Australia, although 1888, 1908 and 1971 did not include test matches. In the test matches many think its always been the traditional Lions ‘red’ v Wallaby ‘gold’. Both teams have evolved their colours and designs across the 126 years of battle.

In 1899 the Australian team played their first international in sky blue as the NSW Union picked the team. For the second Test of that series in Brisbane, the Queensland Union did likewise, and the Australian team played in maroon. The cap was a symbol of the ‘Australian’ nature of the team and a combination of sky-blue and maroon.

The Rugby Club Foundation was proud to have our treasuered collection on show at the announcement of the creation of the Tom Richards Player of the Series Medal.

The Foundation’s Grants Committee is pleased to announce that the recipients of the Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarships in 2025 are Taj Mailei (nominee of Sydney Junior Rugby Union) and Anakin Richardson (nominee of NSW Country Junior Rugby Union).

The Financial Grants recipients are grateful to the Foundation for the assistance which allows their programs to succeed. The following are messages of gratitude received from those benefiting from the Foundation’s Financial Grants program.

The Foundation is delighted to provide an update on the 2024 Herron Scholarship recipients and wishes Coco and Matt continued success in furthering their Rugby aspirations while embracing the values of past scholarship recipients: citizenship, scholarship, and a contribution to Rugby.

This project was groundbreaking in both its collaboration and co-operation between neighbouring zones and its ability to address inclusiveness across remote and regional areas to provide meaningful playing outcomes.

With the support of The Rugby Club Foundation, NSW Suburban Rugby hosted the first ever Essential Coaching Skills Course. Congartulations to the 20 ladies who answered the invitation from Subbies and completed the course run by the NSW Rugby Coach Education Department. The Foundation looks forward to watching the progression of these coaches.