Impact Beyond Backed By AUD $30 Million Investment To Underpin Men’s RWC 2027 and Women’s RWC 2029 Legacy

Impact Beyond has received an AUD $30 million investment from the Australian Government to help form a legacy for the back-to-back hosting of Rugby World Cups in Australia, with the funds split between supporting the game’s development in Australia and the Pasifika.

The long-term project aims to “drive sustainable growth, opportunity and positive impact across Australia and the wider Oceania region”, said World Rugby at the launch by The Hon Anika Wells MP, the Australian Federal Minister for Sport.

Australia will host consecutive Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups, and Impact Beyond aims to use these tournaments as “catalysts for lasting change that will strengthen rugby ecosystems well beyond the final whistle.”

The AUD $30 million for Impact Beyond is part of the Austrlaian governments wider AUD $90 million support package for the delivery of the two tournaments in 2027 and 2029.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “Australia has a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to supercharge rugby union, both at home and across the Pacific, by hosting back‑to‑back Rugby World Cups, with the men’s tournament in 2027 followed by the women’s tournament in 2029.

Impact Beyond is a codesigned and targeted programme that draws on the expertise of our delivery partners, Rugby Australia, Pacific Unions and Oceania Rugby, to identify real needs, sustainably strengthening the capability and capacity of our unions to power rugby, unite the game and enrich lives.”

AUD $15 million will be dedicated to Impact Beyond Australia

Photo Credit – World Rugby

Australian Federal Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells MP said: “The Albanese Government’s $90 million investment will get more women, girls and grassroots players into rugby, growing the sport in Australia and the Pacific and leaving a lasting legacy from these major competitions.

The benefits of these tournaments will be felt well beyond the final whistle, encouraging Australians – especially women and girls – to pick up a ball and get involved.”

Impact Beyond Australia will be delivered by Rugby Australia in collaboration with its local Member Unions, the Australian Government, and State and Territory Governments:

• Grow rugby union participation to more than 220,000 rugby union participants by 2029, representing a 38 per cent increase nationwide over the next four years.
• Increase the community game by one third across fifteens and sevens, supported by a 30 per cent increase in accredited coaches and match officials to sustain long‑term growth.
• Double participation in national club programmes, including Get into Rugby and Tri‑Tag Rugby, growing from 8,000 to more than 16,500 participants.
• Increase women’s and girls’ participation by 70 per cent by 2029.

AUD $15 million to Impact Beyond Pasifika

The multi-year investment framework for Impact Beyond Pasifika represents the regional legacy pillar of the programme, is supported by the Australian Government, and governed through dedicated steering and governance groups

The programme is anchored around four strategic pillars:

• International performance development
• Governance and financial sustainability
• Community rugby development
• Regional engagement and visibility linked to Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029

The aims are:

• To maintain a strong emphasis on women and girls’ participation across programme investments, supporting gender equity as a central focus of the regional legacy.
• Drive sustained growth in female participation across Oceania, alongside increased development and support for female coaches, particularly within targeted Pacific Unions.
• Strengthen high-performance coaching and technical capability across Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, supporting enhanced elite pathways and workforce development.
• Deliver a region-wide safeguarding and governance programme rolled out across all Pacific Unions, supporting safe, sustainable and well-governed rugby environments.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh said: “Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029 in Australia present a generational opportunity to showcase the passion and purpose of Australian and Pacific Rugby – and the incredible communities supporting them – to the world and ensure the long-term sustainability and success of rugby in Australia and the Pacific.”

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