Rugby Australia launches health check for community clubs

Rugby Australia’s has released a new national initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots rugby by helping clubs assess and enhance their off-field operations.

The Community Club Health Check 2025 initiative is a key outcome from Rugby Australia’s newly launched From Green to Gold strategic plan, aligning directly with its pillar of Participation Growth. This pillar focuses on building stronger foundations across the rugby ecosystem by supporting clubs, schools, coaches, and match officials - critical components in enabling sustainable growth in participation.

The Community Club Health Check 2025 provides local rugby clubs with the tools to self-assess their operational health across a range of key areas. By completing the health check, clubs will receive valuable insights into their strengths and challenges, helping them prioritise where to focus their efforts off the field.

Key themes covered by the health check include:

• Governance and planning

• Financial management

• Marketing and communications

• Volunteer management

• Player recruitment and retention

• Digital and IT systems

The results will not only assist individual clubs in developing tailored action plans, but also help Rugby Australia and member unions identify common trends and challenges faced by community clubs nationwide. These insights will inform the development of future resources aimed at improving the volunteer experience and ensuring clubs remain sustainable and well-supported.

Welcoming the initiative, Queensland Rugby Union General Manager - Community Rugby, Gaven Head stated "the Club Health Check is a proactive step in helping our clubs assess their current position and identify areas for future development.

“It also provides a valuable opportunity to better connect our volunteer workforce with the right resources - whether through rugby-specific support or external initiatives such as the Queensland Government’s Club IQ program.”

To further assist in bringing these plans to life, Rugby Australia is appointed two Club Development Managers based in Queensland. These dedicated roles will work directly with clubs across the state, offering practical support in implementing recommendations from the health check and ensuring clubs are equipped to meet their operational goals.

Click here to complete the Rugby Australia Club Health Check.

Image: Children participating in Rugby Australia's Game On initiative.