Sports Gold Coast is extremely excited to announce our newest project benefitting rugby on the Coast at all levels, from community to elite, and creating a vibrant rugby culture our city can be proud of.
The project, dubbed Gold Coast & Districts in Union, aims to unite rugby stakeholders across the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers region, creating a united approach that deters in-fighting, self-interest and the unnecessary competition for resources that has been detrimental to the health of the sport.
Sports Gold Coast (SGC) in conjunction with our partners at Gold Coast District Rugby Union (GCDRU) have created a vision for rugby on the coast that will grow the game at the community level, flowing upwards to attract quality content back to our city and create a sustainable legacy.
Sports Gold Coast and Gold Coast District Rugby Union have joined forces for this exciting initiative. Photo: Luke Ireland
Sports Gold Coast Chairman Geoff Smith, speaking at the exclusive launch of the project on Friday, highlighted the benefits of a successful rugby culture for the region and the need for our city’s best and brightest to be pioneers in this exciting push.
“Rugby is one of our region’s sleeping sport giants, with an extremely diverse and talented pathway system that is currently not receiving the support it needs to flourish and allow the Gold Coast to reach its undoubted potential as a rugby powerhouse,” Mr Smith said.
“For too long rugby has been left to flounder due to inadequate support and regulation, the time has come for our passionate organisations and business-people to stand-up and provide the much needed support to grow the game, create tourism for the region and create something with lasting meaning for our future generations.
“Rugby has the power to unite communities and bring people together, and that’s exactly what the Gold Coast & Districts in Union is trying to achieve.”
Exclusive lunch launch of the rugby project with Mayor Tom Tate speaking last Friday. Photo: Luke Ireland
Rugby’s continued demise on the Coast has been a documented shame for the massive number of passionate fans, players and community who are passionate about the game, with our city previously failing to leverage the international games and tournaments it hosted in recent years.
However, under this united structure, and with the guidance and vision of likeminded stakeholders who want to see rugby flourish, SGC and GCDRU will seek to arrest the downward spiral.
In recent times, long-time rugby supporter and valued SGC partner, Bond University, completed its new club house and hosted the Under 20’s Oceania series, as well as the Junior and Senior Grand Finals in the new National Women Rugby 7s.
GCDRU are also in the process of expanding the local competition and building their funds to engage development officers for our schools and build participation and enthusiasm for the sport.
The Gold Coast & Districts in Union project will underpin this momentum through creating an advisory board, fund-raising and promoting the game at all levels.
To read more about the project or provide financial support, visit the project page at the Australian Sports Foundation website: https://asf.org.au/projects/sports-gold-coast/gold-coast-and-districts-in-union/.
SGC Chair Geoff Smith with Gold Coast City Mayor Tom Tate at the launch of the project. Photo: Luke Ireland
