Rugby Foundation of WA Unveils $15,000 Grassroots Grants Injection

The Rugby Foundation of Western Australia has announced the successful recipients of its 2025/26 Grants Program, committing a total of $15,000 to spearhead infrastructure, inclusion, and officiating developments across the state’s community network.

The funding has been evenly allocated across three key grassroots bodies: the West Australian Rugby Union Referees Association (WARURA), Cottesloe Rugby Union Club, and Associates Rugby Union Club. The capital injection is a mechanical necessity for the foundation’s core mandate, which ranks equity, diversity, inclusion, and player welfare as heavily weighted scoring criteria when assessing funding submissions.

The package builds directly upon the foundation’s initial 2024/25 rollout, which provided a combined $7,500 to support the Southern Lions’ All Abilities framework and a dedicated coach education pathway for the Perth Rams.

Commenting on the grants, Rugby Foundation of WA chair,  Sean Lee, said: “Our Grants Program is designed to deliver meaningful, long-term impact by investing in initiatives that strengthen inclusion, support player welfare, and drive sustainable growth across the game.”

“These projects reflect our commitment to creating more accessible and welcoming environments, building capability within clubs and officials, and ensuring rugby in Western Australia continues to thrive at every level,” Lee said.

Expressing his enthusiasm, WARURA president, Peter Miller, added: “Improved communication technology will enhance real-time mentoring and feedback, helping build the next generation of quality referees for our game.”

Noting how the grant affects grassroots sports in girls, noted Cottesloe Junior President Tiernane Byrnes. “The grant has allowed Cottesloe to improve the facilities for our ever-increasing number of female members,”

“The grants will support that effort by providing a female-specific and secure space for our SheGulls to change and receive physiotherapy.”

Associates Sponsorship Coordinator Glenda Martinick welcomed the relief, stating, “This support is greatly appreciated at a time when every dollar coming into the club makes a meaningful difference to its success on and off the field.”

Targeted Club and Officiating Allocations

The 2025/26 grants address distinct operational and structural priorities across the metropolitan rugby ecosystem:

• WARURA ($5,000): The referees’ association will invest its funds into modernising its real-time match officiating infrastructure. The grant will purchase updated one-way radio communication kits, allowing Referee Match Officials Developers (MODs) to deliver immediate mentoring and technical feedback to active whistleblowers on the field.
• Cottesloe Rugby Union Club ($5,000): The “SheGulls” women’s program at the beachfront clubhouse will receive essential facility upgrades. The grant will fund secure, female-specific change spaces and dedicated physiotherapy treatment areas, which will be augmented by internal club funding to upgrade flooring and laundry systems.
• Associates Rugby Union Club ($5,000): Affectionately known as “Soaks,” the Swanbourne-based club will deploy its funding to secure professional tournament gazebos. The units will provide shade and weather protection for match officials, players, and supporters on game day, serving the dual purpose of promoting sun safety and improving player welfare.

The governing body has confirmed that the next competitive grant application window will officially open in July 2026.

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