Harvey Norman Partners with Rugby Australia

Harvey Norman has announced a partnership with Rugby Australia and the Australian Rugby Foundation to expand grassroots rugby across the country.

As the new naming rights partner for the “Get into Rugby” program, the national retail icon aims to inspire a new generation of players by providing boys and girls with the essential skills and confidence to transition into junior rugby. This collaboration is a strategic component of Rugby Australia’s goal to achieve a 30% increase in national player registrations by 2029.

Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, emphasised that the community is the “beating heart” of the sport and expressed excitement over Harvey Norman’s passion for aligning with their community goals.

“Our thriving community is the beating heart of Australian Rugby and we’re incredibly excited to have Harvey Norman at the centre of it by partnering with our Get into Rugby program.”

“Harvey Norman is a great Australian business and their passion for community aligns with ours.

“We are thrilled to be elevating rugby at the grassroots level with the support of Harvey Norman and thank Katie Page and her outstanding team for their commitment to teaching and inspiring the next generation of rugby players.  

“This landmark partnership helps set a strong foundation for the future of Australian Rugby by strengthening our community rugby programs and supporting players as they transition through to junior rugby and beyond,” Waugh said.

Harvey Norman CEO, Katie Page, noted the importance of accessibility, stating the program will support children joining local clubs regardless of their location, particularly in rural and regional towns.

“For Harvey Norman, we are always focussed on ensuring national codes are accessible to all Australians – boys and girls, regardless of location.”

“With Rugby Australia’s Get into Rugby program we will support more children to join their local rugby club and through the Australian Rugby Foundation’s Heart of Rugby Regional Tour, we will develop the playing talent in our rural and regional towns by bringing the game to their local club.

“Core to this will be the recognition of the local club volunteers, coaches and match officials who develop their players at the grassroots.

“Their contribution is fundamental to creating a competitive pathway, a strong club community and motivating the Wallabies and the Wallaroos of tomorrow,” Page said.

The partnership includes several key initiatives designed to strengthen the sport’s foundation:

• Growth Targets: Rugby Australia and Harvey Norman aim to double the number of “Get into Rugby” participants in local clubs by 2029.
• Heart of Rugby Regional Tour: In collaboration with the Australian Rugby Foundation, Harvey Norman will deliver 40 clinics in regional areas between June and September. These clinics, supported by local stores and the Classic Wallabies and Wallaroos, target children aged 10 to 12.
• Grassroots Recognition: A new monthly award will be introduced to honour the significant contributions of club volunteers, coaches, and match officials.
• Local Store Integration: Harvey Norman is committed to connecting its local stores directly with community rugby clubs to bolster the partnership at a local level.

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