Australia to deliver AUD$14M in 4 year partnership with Pacific Rugby

Apia, SAMOA – 28 February 2024 – The Australian Government and Rugby Australia will partner to deliver a four-year $14.2 million investment to support high-performance Rugby Union across the Pacific through the Australian-Pacific Rugby Union Partnership (APRUP), bringing the region closer together through a shared love of rugby.

Funded through the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, APRUP will create pathways to increase Pacific representation in elite rugby and strengthen Pacific national teams. The funding is a timely boost ahead the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup and 2029 women’s Rugby World Cup and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

APRUP will elevate women’s rugby by establishing new competition pathways and providing ongoing opportunities for Pacific women and girls to take their place as champions on the rugby pitch and in their communities.

Key initiatives through APRUP include:

• Building on the remarkable success of the Fijian Drua and supporting their continued participation in Super Rugby Pacific and Australia’s Super Rugby Women’s competition.
• Establishing the PacificAus Sports Rugby Academy to provide Pacific rugby staff with access to elite Australian training and expertise – strengthening the foundation of Pacific Island national teams.
• Establishing the Penina Pasifika to compete in Super Rugby Women’s pre-season competition.
• Enhancing the national women’s sevens programs in Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

The partnership will also increase opportunities for Australian sporting engagement in the Pacific through ongoing Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s fixtures in Fiji. Pacific Unions will be supported to host other major fixtures between Pacific and Australian teams and to join regional tournaments.

“Australia and Pacific Islands nations are family, with an enduring history and shared values, which is underscored by a love of rugby that brings us even closer together,” said the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy.

“The Australian Government is proud to be furthering our partnership with Rugby Australia through PacificAus Sports to give Pacific rugby teams and athletes opportunities to compete at the highest levels in Australia. Crucially, this funding will support pathways for girls and women to shine on and off the field,” he said.