The ACT Brumbies, Rugby Victoria, ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union and Tasmanian Rugby have agreed to a landmark partnership through to the end of 2029, establishing Brumbies-branded rugby academies in Victoria to create a stronger pathway for local talent to reach Super Rugby.
The partnership will also strengthen community connections between rugby in Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, creating opportunities for representative matches, joint initiatives and coach development support from the Brumbies across the three regions.
Few players better demonstrate the potential of rugby talent from outside the traditional strongholds than ACT Brumbies and Wallabies star Rob Valetini, who grew up in Melbourne before establishing himself as one of Australia's leading players. Valetini was on hand for the announcement, alongside representatives from all organisations, as the partnership was formalised through a MOU.
The agreement will connect emerging Victorian players with the Brumbies' high-performance expertise, coaching and development opportunities, strengthening the link between local rugby pathways and the professional game.
Beyond player development, the partnership will strengthen connections between community rugby in Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT & SNSW, creating opportunities for representative matches and joint community initiatives that bring the two rugby regions closer together.
Through to the end of 2029, the three organisations will work together to develop talent, build stronger relationships across their rugby communities and create more opportunities for Victorian players to progress towards the professional ranks.
ACT Brumbies Director of Performance Cam Treloar said the academies would help prepare players for the demands of professional rugby.
“Identifying talent is only the beginning. Players need the right coaching, environment and support to turn potential into performance.
“These academies will allow us to share our high-performance knowledge in Victoria and help prepare players for the standards required to compete at the next level.”
Rugby Victoria CEO Aaron Bailey said the agreement would create valuable opportunities for aspiring Victorian players.
"The five Victorians in the run on side recently for the Wallabies against Argentina highlights the talent that exists within Victorian Rugby. This partnership is an important step in realigning our pathways for our next generation"
"This partnership extends beyond just elite pathways, bringing the southern states together to work across coaching, operations and community Rugby."
ACT Brumbies and Wallabies star Rob Valetini said the initiative held personal significance given his Melbourne roots.
“Growing up in Melbourne, I know how important it is for young players to have opportunities, good coaches and people around them who believe in their potential.
“Hopefully, these academies can help more young players from Victoria take that next step and show them that a career in professional rugby is achievable.”
ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union CEO, Craig Leseberg said the partnership was an important investment in the future of Australian rugby.
“Strong pathways are built through collaboration, from community rugby through to high-performance programs.
“This agreement brings our organisations closer together, creating a stronger connection between Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, while expanding the reach of our player development network.”
Rugby Tasmania CEO Jeff Quick said the partnership would create valuable opportunities to strengthen community rugby across Tasmania.
“Community rugby is the heart of our game in Tasmania, and partnerships like this are important in helping our clubs, players, and coaches continue to grow.
“We’re excited to work alongside our mainland neighbours to build stronger connections between our rugby communities, share knowledge and create more opportunities for people to get involved in the game.”
The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration across talent identification, player development and high-performance pathways, with the academies designed to build a stronger connection between Victorian, ACT & SNSW, and Tasmanian rugby and the ACT Brumbies.
