Prime Minister's Media
Alert Service
Media Release
30 June 2007
Australian National Rugby Academy
I am very pleased to announce that the Australian Government
will provide the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) with a $25
million capital contribution towards the establishment of
the Australian National Rugby Academy (ANRA) at Ballymore in
Brisbane.
The ANRA will be integral to the continued development
and success of Australian rugby. The ANRA will provide state
of the art facilities for the ARU to develop and prepare its
elite and emerging players, coaches and referees. The
centralised facilities will include field skills training,
gymnasium, pool and support infrastructure such as
accommodation, medical and meeting facilities. The ANRA will
also become a centre for excellence for the Asia-Pacific,
providing assistance for fledgling rugby bodies in the
region.
While Australia's immediate focus is on regaining the
World Cup in France later this year, the establishment of
the ANRA will ensure that the Wallabies are well positioned
to retain their place as one of the top rugby nations in the
world.
Ballymore, the spiritual home of rugby in Queensland, is
the ideal site for the ANRA with its central location and
the availability of land offering significant advantages.
Australian Government funding is contingent on the ARU
meeting recurrent costs and the Queensland Government
providing the ARU with appropriate secure tenure
arrangements at Ballymore.
Rugby is played in over 120 countries throughout the
world and is a game rich in history, traditions, camaraderie
and community involvement. Its popularity in Australia
continues to grow, with grassroots participation increasing
by 9.5 per cent in 2006 to just under 194,000.
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