a legacy of impact beyond the try line
ABOUT
AT THE HEART OF OUR FAMILY IS A COMMITMENT TO ENDURE, TO STAND TALL, TO FACE ADVERSITY WITH HONOUR AND PRIDE.
Our Story
Our Mission
OUR HISTORY
Our governance
The Australian Rugby Foundation is Rugby’s philanthropic arm, dedicated to growing and supporting the game from grassroots to elite level. But more than that, we are the heart of rugby’s extended family, ensuring that every player, coach and supporter has a seat at the rugby table.
Through strategic investment and strong partnerships, we safeguard the future of rugby, providing opportunities for all to engage with the sport we love.
Our Story
A Legacy of Belonging
Rugby isn’t just a sport in Australia – it’s a legacy, passed down through generations. Since our founding, the ARF has played a crucial role in keeping that legacy alive, funding key initiatives that strengthen the game at all levels.
From the first time a child picks up a rugby ball to the moment they step onto the international stage, we are there, championing their journey and ensuring that rugby remains a game for everyone.
FUELING
DREAMS,
CHANGING
LIVES
Our Mission
Strengthening the Rugby Family
We exist to strengthen the future of Australian rugby by funding key initiatives that drive participation, inclusion and excellence. With a strong commitment to the values that bind our rugby family together, we invest in five strategic pillars:
Grassroots Rugby
Rugby’s strength lies in its roots. Every great player starts with a first pass, a first tackle, a first try, a first club. By supporting grassroots rugby, we ensure the next generation of players can access quality coaching, facilities and resources, and the chance to fall in love with the game through the club rugby structure.
From local clubs and schools to regional communities, our family helps make rugby accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Together, we can grow the future of Australian rugby. Because rugby clubs and the people who give their time, resources and expertise are the lifeblood of our family.
Women’s Rugby
Rugby is for everyone. We are dedicated to growing the women’s game, supporting the Wallaroos on their path to success and inspiring the next generation of female players, coaches and leaders.
Through our investment in women’s rugby, we are working to ensure that the game continues to grow and evolve, providing more opportunities for women to make their mark on our sport.
First Nations & Pacific Islands RUGBY
Rugby brings communities together. We strengthen pathways for Indigenous players, ensuring they have access to life changing opportunities and a place to stay in our rugby family.
Our focus on Indigenous rugby ensures that every player, regardless of their background, has the chance to succeed and contribute to the rich diversity of our rugby community.
Rugby Welfare
Our family looks after each other. We prioritise player welfare, safety and wellbeing, on and off the field.
Through ongoing support and care, we ensure that the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of our players is always a top priority, helping them thrive throughout their rugby careers and beyond.
High Performance RUGBY
The future of Australian rugby is built on the dreams of young players. We back the next generation of elite athletes to ensure they have the resources to succeed at the highest level.
By investing in high performance rugby, we provide players with the tools and support they need to reach their full potential, representing Australia on the world stage and inspiring the next wave of rugby talent.
OUR HISTORY
Rugby’s Generations of Grit and Glory
Rugby has been woven into the fabric of Australian life since 1864, when the first recorded match was played in Sydney. For over 160 years, rugby has given us legends, unforgettable moments and a sense of belonging. In 2014, we were proud to establish the ARF to ensure this legacy continues for generations to come.
To learn more about rugby’s history visit Rugby Australia’s history page.
Our Impact
What Can Your Rugby Family Do for You?
Rugby is built on community, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have created real, lasting change. Our family has helped expand junior development programs in regional areas, ensuring that young players have access to world class coaching and competition. We have invested in the Wallaroos, providing the resources they need to compete on the world stage.
We have funded Indigenous rugby programs that have opened doors for young athletes in remote communities. And we have supported mental health and rehabilitation programs, ensuring that every family member has the care they need to thrive, both on and off the field.
OUR GOVERNANCE
Members of Rugby and Annual Reporting
The Constitution of the Australian Rugby Football Union was ratified on 25 November 1949 at the inaugural council meeting of eleven delegates from the state unions of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The ACT Rugby Union gained membership in 1972.
The Northern Territory Rugby Union joined in 1978, initially as an associate union before later being granted membership and voting rights. In 1985 the Australian Rugby Football Union was incorporated as a company and, in 1997, it became simply the Australian Rugby Union Limited, known as the ARU.
2012 saw the Australian Rugby Union usher an historic Constitutional change at a General Meeting in Sydney, where members voted to adopt a new Governance model following recommendations from the Strengthening the Governance of Australian Rugby (the Arbib Review), which was released in October that year.
In 2017, the Australian Rugby Union Limited was re-branded Rugby Australia Ltd, coinciding with relocating to their new premises in Moore Park, Sydney.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OUR MEMBER UNIONS
AFFILIATED UNIONS
VOTING RIGHTS
ANNUAL REPORTS
OUR MEMBER UNIONS
Rugby Australia Limited is proud of its association with its member unions encompassing each state and territory in Australia.
Through this relationship, Rugby Australia are able to provide a strong and united front for Australian rugby.
Member Unions include:
- Australian Capital Territory Rugby Union
- New South Wales Rugby Union
- Northern Territory Rugby Union
- Queensland Rugby Union
- South Australia Rugby Union
- Tasmanian Rugby Union
- Victorian Rugby Union
- Western Australia Rugby Union
Click here to download a copy of the Constitution of Rugby Australia Limited.
AFFILIATED UNIONS
Rugby Australia is also proud of its association with its affiliated member unions from around Australia.
- The Affiliated Unions include:
- Australian Junior Rugby Football Union Ltd
- Australian Rugby Football Schools Union
- Australian Defence Force Rugby Union
- Australian Universities Rugby Union
- Australian Barbarian Rugby Club
- Australian Women’s Rugby Football Union
- Classic Wallabies
Affiliated Unions are Non-voting Members of Rugby Australia.
VOTING RIGHTS
At general meetings, each Voting Member has the number of votes as set out below:
- Each State and Territory Union with 50,000 or less Participants. (1 vote)
- Each State and Territory Union with more than 50,000
- Participants. (2 vote)
- Each Super Rugby Licensee. (1 vote)
- Rugby Union Players Association (1 vote)