Funding boost for local Auckland Rugby League facilities

Funding boost for local Auckland Rugby League facilities

Rugby league players and fans across Auckland are set to receive a welcome funding boost, with a memorandum ofunderstanding (MOU) agreed on to provide seed funding of NZ$2 million to improve and upgrade grassroots rugby league facilities.

The National Rugby League (NRL), New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL), Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Auckland Council, and Carlaw Heritage Trust announced the agreement ahead of the Downer NRL Auckland Nines this weekend.

The funding MOU commits the NRL and Carlaw Heritage Trust to providing NZ$2 million over a three-year period towards the development of grassroots rugby league facilities in the Auckland region.

A fund will be set up to help improve local facilities needed to support the continued participation growth of rugby league in Auckland.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg thanked the funding partners for their commitment and said that funding would provide continued benefit and support for rugby league at all levels of the game.

“This is an historic occasion and a wonderful opportunity to see significant progression of rugby league throughout the Auckland region,” Mr Greenberg said.

“Thousands of fans will turn out this weekend to support the Nines and most will be cheering for their local Warriors and Kiwi Ferns.

“We want to ensure that those local supporters – male and female of all ages – have the chance to enjoy and progress their rugby league aspirations and this funding will help to achieve this.”

Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff welcomed the proposed funding from NRL and the Carlaw Heritage Trust and said it would ensure the continued growth of rugby league and benefit communities throughout Auckland.

“We have a passionate rugby league fan base in Auckland. It is a great sport and plays a pivotal role in many communities. It’s fantastic that the NRL and Carlaw Heritage Trust want to invest in its ongoing growth in our city.”

“It’s great that Auckland Council can bring events like the Nines to Auckland and celebrate the game at its highest level and its star players. However, it’s just as important to ensure we drive participation from all age groups in sport and a major part is ensuring we provide quality facilities for our players,” Mayor Goff said.

“This funding will help give the next generation of professional rugby league players the platform to launch careers and grow the sport across the region.”

Parties to the MOU will work to finalise the funding guidelines and application process, with the programme expected to open in the first half of 2017.

Further information will be available to local Auckland rugby league clubs on www.nrl.com ahead of the funding opening later this year.

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