We are experts in our field and have since the inception of the Foundation, supported 114 seriously injured players, for the duration of their life. Our experience shows that each seriously injured player and the whānau that supports them is completely different, so we tailor what we provide and recognise that each person will need to access a range of resources, across their lifetimes.More than 140,000 registered rugby players of all ages and ethnicities safely play our national game every winter. 

We are the safety net for the unfortunate few who are seriously injured, providing immediate guidance, vital funding and a unified social network. We connect seriously injured players and their families with key services, short and long-term, to have a positive impact not only on the individual, but their whānau and wider community as well.

The type of support we provide includes legal assistance with trusts, deeds & wills, personal counselling, education, sports and arts, home and garden maintenance, business start-up assistance, technology and group activities.

We also provide expert advice regarding accessibility and modifications that may be required in response to SCI (spinal cord injury).

In a nutshell, we share the journey with our seriously injured team mates as their permanent support organisation to tailor support and resources that enhance and better their lives as much as possible.​​​​​​​

"They have given me lots of help, lots of assistance. Without them, it would have been a far greater struggle. They care about you and what your family has got to go through.”

– Ben Larson, a seriously injured player supported by New Zealand Rugby Foundation since 1999

The financial repercussions of catastrophic injury are far-reaching. Earning power is diminished, if not demolished altogether.

The Rugby Foundation only covers costs that ACC cannot.   

Today we operate a strong strategic directive to future-proof The Foundation by continuing to grow our capital fund and operate only off it's investment interest and dividends. We are responsible stewards of our capital fund and with advice from JB Were manage those finances diligently and with sustainably. Year end 2023 fund value was $6.2m.

New Zealand Rugby provides us an annual grant to assist with operational costs, and we rely on event fundraising, and supporter donations to provide support for injured player needs and project delivery.

We appreciate every dollar gifted to the Foundation and, as a lean operation, strive to make that money count.We are proud of our strategic approach to carefully growing the Foundation’s investments.