Women’s facility development headlines rugby's inaugural Legacy Fund grants

Women’s facility development and accessible rugby programmes feature in the 12 projects which have been announced as recipients of the first round of funding from the Legacy Fund.

The Legacy Fund, a key element of Silver Lake’s investment into rugby in New Zealand, distributes the annual earnings on a $60m perpetual fund held by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to projects designed to have an intergenerational impact on the game.

Seven of the 12 projects have requested support to develop or upgrade changing room facilities to account for growing women and girls’ participation. Other supported projects include general clubroom facility and turf development, and programmes enabling non-traditional participation, such as neurodiverse youth and Chinese families.

The total sum of funding to be distributed across the 12 projects tallies $687,438, with recipients across the country. 

Having received over 140 applications between August and October, the successful recipients were approved at last week’s NZR Board meeting, following a shortlisting process through the Legacy Fund Advisory Group, made up of representatives from NZR’s Board and management, Provincial Unions, Māori rugby, Pasifika rugby, and Sport New Zealand.

Greg Barclay, NZR Board Member and Chair of the Legacy Fund Advisory Group says:

“Congratulations to the successful recipients. We are thrilled to be able to provide these funds into the rugby system, especially to support the development of facilities to make rugby spaces more welcoming for women and girls.

“There were so many worthy applications, it was heartwarming to see the care Kiwis have for the game and their local communities and wanting to ensure it endures.”

Legacy Fund Manager Cameron Bell added:

“This is a really exciting milestone for the Legacy Fund. It’s a real privilege to be distributing our first allocation of funds and begin making an impact on the future of the game. The vision to set up the Legacy Fund now gives us the opportunity to support these projects, which helps with club and community growth and may very well produce our future elite players. I am excited to work with our successful applicants and see their projects progress.

“The process has highlighted the value of this type of support at the grassroots, and we hope to continue to grow the fund. There’s so many fantastic projects people have in mind to sustain and advance the game in their local regions.”

The Legacy Fund will be open for submissions twice in 2026, with timeframes to be announced by NZR in the new year. 

The successful entities for the first round of Legacy Fund grants:

Auckland Asian Rugby Club – Accessible rugby programmes
Greytown Rugby Football Club - Women & Girls facilities
Hamilton Old Boys RSC – Turf development
Helensville District Rugby Football Club - Women & Girls facilities
Kaierau RFC - Women & Girls facilities
Kaikoura Rugby Club - Turf development
Methven Rugby Football Club - Women & Girls facilities
Sense Rugby – Accessible rugby programmes
Southbridge Rugby Football Club – Facility upgrade
Te Kauwhata Rugby Sports Club - Women & Girls facilities
Te Puke Sports & Rec Club – Women & Girls facilities
Waitete Rugby Football Club - Women & Girls facilities