Rugby Australia has launched a new program to encourage “thousands more” people into club rugby around the country.
The “Get into Rugby Club’ program is a five-week program aimed to teach people the basics of rugby, and help them engage with their local community via the club closest to them.
The program will introduce and help guide people of all ages through rugby’s three formats: Foxtel Touch Sevens, Sevens and Fifteens.
The “Get into Rugby Club”, which comes after a successful “Get into Rugby Schools” program was rolled out last year, will be initially occurring at 31 selected clubs across Australia.
The second phase will be rolled out at many more clubs after the Rugby World Cup, where it is hoped the tournament buzz will spark interest.
The past six months has seen Rugby Australia run “Get into Rugby” coaching workshops in Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, the ACT, South Australia and New South Wales.
“This is the work that Rugby Australia sees as really important for its portfolio,” Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle said.
“We need to be making sure we are developing products for the modern day and accessible for all families and all demographics. “Get into Rugby” also allows clubs to engage with different parts of the community that they had engaged with previously.
“It’s a way of connecting with a rugby club, that has more than just the playing options. It has the social elements and it really is to make sure you learn the skills. So that if you’re happy with Foxtel Touch 7s, because touch is your thing, that’s fine.
"But equally if you want to progress into sevens or fifteens, it gives you the capability to touch and feel that, so that you can decide what’s best for you.”
Castle said the program was also designed to be an accessible entry point to rugby for communities and cultures that aren’t traditionally involved in rugby.
“They can feel that they can come, it’s welcoming, it’s friendly, it’s engaging,” Castle said.
“They can make new friends in the local community, and if 15s isn’t their thing, maybe touch or sevens is the option for then. It gives us a wide-ranging opportunity to engage right across Australia with this product.”
Clubs with "Get into Rugby" programs during phase one
NSW
Wakehurst Rugby Club
Forest Way, Belrose, New South Wales, 2085
Mosman Rugby Club
Cross Street, Mosman, New South Wales, 2088
Lower Mid North Coast Rugby Union Club
Aub Ferris Oval, Showground Lane, Nabiac, New South Wales, 2312
Lindfield Rugby Club
Tryon Road, East Lindfield, New South Wales, 2070
Oatley Rugby Club
Lugarno, New South Wales, 2210
Armidale Junior Rugby Club
Taylor Street, Moran Oval, Armidale, New South Wales, 2350
Coffs Harbour Juniors Rugby Union Football Club
600 Hogbin Drive, Toormina, New South Wales, 2452
Shoalhaven Rugby Club
Rugby Lane, Nowra, New South Wales, 2234
Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
546 Casuarina Way, Casuarina New South Wales, 2487
Northern Barbarians Rugby Club
Britannia Street, Pennant Hills, New South Wales, 2120
Western Australia
Wanneroo Rugby Union Club
Kingsway Sporting Complex, Spectator Drive, Madeley, Western Australia, 6065
UWA Rugby Club
Mount Claremont, Western Australia, 6010
Perth Irish Rugby Football Club
105 Daly Street, Belmont, Perth, 6104
ACT/Southern Inland
Albury Wodonga Rugby Union Football Club
Short Street, Albury, New South Wales, 2640
Broulee Dolphins Rugby Union Club
1 Francis Street, Captain Oldrey Park, Broulee, New South Wales, 2537
Batemans Bay Rugby Club
Beach Road, Batemans Bay, New South Wales, 2536
Queensland
Caboolture Rugby Union Club
187 Petersen Road, Morayfield Queensland, 4506
Norths Brisbane Rugby Club
50 Shaw Road, Wooloowin, Queensland, 4030
Brothers Rugby Club Albion
3 Crosby Road, Albion Queensland, 4010
Wests Bulldogs Rugby Club
Memorial Park, 65 Sylvan Rd, Toowong, Queensland, 406
University of Queensland Rugby Football Club
Sir William MacGregor Drive, St Lucia, Queensland, 4067
Nerang Rugby Union Club
125 Pappas Way, Nerang, Queensland, 4211
South Australia
Adelaide University Rugby Union Football Club
Fullarton Road & Claremont Avenue, Urrbrae, South Australia, 5062
Elizabeth Rugby Union Football Club
Womma Road & Peachey Road, Edinburgh North, South Australia, 5113
Woodville Rugby Union Football Club
Ailsa Avenue, Seaton, South Australia, 5023
Port Adelaide
Baynes Place, Port Adelaide, South Australia, 5015
Tasmania
Devonport Bulls Rugby Union Football Club
Don Recreation Ground, Richardson Drive, Devonport, Tasmania, 7310
Burnie Emus Rugby Union Club
Lookout Road, Upper Burnie, Tasmania, 7320
Victoria
Northern Panthers Rugby Club
CH Sullivan Memorial Park, Blake Street, Reservoir, Victoria, 3073
Casey Crusaders Rugby Union Club
Clyde Recreation Reserve, 10 Pattersons Road, Clyde, Victoria 3978
Power House Junior Rugby Union Club
Lofts Reserve, Altona North, Victoria, 3025
