In a first for women’s rugby in Australia, the Brumbies Super Rugby and Super W teams will collectively receive $3.5 million over two years as part of an expanded public funding agreement with the ACT Government.
It is the first time that the ACT Government’s performance agreement with the Brumbies includes support for the women’s team – becoming the first state or Territory Government to financially support a team in Australia’s professional women’s rugby union competition.
The annual $1.78 million investment over the next two years has been designed to support the new Super Rugby Pacific competition’s 2022 and 2023 structure, as well as broadcast arrangements.
Since the ACT Government commenced financial sponsorship of the Brumbies back in 2004, they have invested more than $27 million in the club.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the “long-term viability” of the Brumbies and Super Rugby in Canberra is the government’s “most significant professional rugby priority”.
Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said the Brumbies Super W team continued to inspire a new generation of women.
“Women’s sport continues to grow in Canberra and it’s thanks to teams like the Brumbies Super W team that we can inspire younger women and girls to continue to play rugby – or any sport – throughout their life,” she said.
“You don’t have to stop playing in high school, uni or when you start work. The ACT Government is absolutely committed to making sure there are more opportunities for women to continue to play sport, and the Brumbies are a testament to that.”
The deal comes two weeks after the ACT Government announced a similar public funding agreement with the Canberra Raiders, worth $13 million over five years.
The commitment to support a future NRLW team in Canberra is part of the extended partnership agreement between the ACT Government and the Raiders, running through to 2026.
Since the ACT Government first started financially supporting the Canberra Raiders in 2004, they have invested more than $30 million in the club.
Meanwhile, the ACT Government’s 10-year $23 million agreement with the GWS Giants expires at the end of the year, with a new deal on the cards.
Signed ahead of the club’s inaugural 2012 AFL season, under the arrangement the Sydney-based team play four games a year out of Manuka Oval.
Initially set to expire at the end of 2021, it was extended a year due to the AFL’s COVID-disrupted 2020 season that denied the Giants a chance to play in Canberra.
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