Oceania Rugby has welcomed the launch of Impact Beyond Pasifika, the regional legacy pillar of World Rugby’s Impact Beyond programme, which will help ensure the benefits of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 extend meaningfully across the Pacific.
Impact Beyond Pasifika is part of the broader AUD $30 million Australian Government investment in the legacy programme announced by The Hon. Anika Wells MP, Federal Minister for Sport, to maximise the long-term benefits of Australia hosting back-to-back Rugby World Cups. The programme positions the tournaments as catalysts for lasting change across Australia and the wider Oceania region, strengthening rugby ecosystems well beyond the final whistle.
For Oceania Rugby and its Member Unions, the programme will support Pacific-led outcomes across capability, performance, sustainability, community rugby development, governance and regional visibility linked to Rugby World Cups 2027 and 2029.
Oceania Rugby General Manager Frank Puletua said the programme represented an important investment in the future of rugby across the Pacific.
“For us [Oceania Rugby], Impact Beyond Pasifika is an important investment in the future of our game and our people,” Puletua said. “Rugby across the Pacific is built on community, identity and opportunity, and this programme gives us a shared framework to strengthen the systems, pathways and partnerships that allow those foundations to grow.
“As the regional delivery partner, we are focused on ensuring this work is Pacific-led and responsive to the priorities of our Member Unions. Through stronger governance, sustainable development, greater opportunities for women and girls, and continued investment in people across the game, Impact Beyond Pasifika can help create lasting benefits across our islands long after Rugby World Cups 2027 and 2029 have been played.”
Oceania Rugby will work alongside World Rugby, Rugby Australia, Pacific Member Unions and regional stakeholders to connect investment with local priorities and support practical delivery across the region.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to supercharge rugby union, both at home and across the Pacific, by hosting back-to-back Rugby World Cups, with the men’s tournament in 2027 followed by the women’s tournament in 2029.
“Impact Beyond is a co-designed and targeted programme that draws on the expertise of our delivery partners, Rugby Australia, Pacific Unions and Oceania Rugby, to identify real needs, sustainably strengthening the capability and capacity of our unions to power rugby, unite the game and enrich lives.
“This game-changing initiative will ensure the entire ecosystem is stronger, more inclusive and better equipped to thrive long after these tournaments have been played.”
Impact Beyond Pasifika priorities
The regional pillar is anchored around four strategic areas: international performance development, governance and financial sustainability, community rugby development, and regional engagement and visibility linked to Rugby World Cups 2027 and 2029.
Together, these pillars aim to strengthen domestic competitions, lift high-performance outcomes, build resilient unions and elevate the Pacific voice and presence on the global rugby stage.
Regional outcomes
Impact Beyond Pasifika will maintain a strong emphasis on women and girls’ participation, support the development of female coaches, strengthen high-performance coaching and technical capability across targeted Pacific Unions, and deliver regional safeguarding and governance support across Pacific Member Unions.
The programme also reinforces Oceania Rugby’s commitment to creating safe, inclusive and sustainable rugby environments that support players, coaches, match officials, administrators and volunteers at every level of the game.
Aligned with World Rugby’s global legacy ambition
The launch of Impact Beyond Pasifika aligns with World Rugby’s broader Impact Beyond legacy approach, which uses major tournaments as catalysts for growth, sustainability and social responsibility. It also supports World Rugby’s strategic purpose of powering rugby, uniting the game and enriching lives through impactful investment and support for Member Unions.
With Australia set to host consecutive Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups, Oceania Rugby sees Impact Beyond Pasifika as a shared opportunity to ensure the Pacific is central to the legacy of both tournaments and that the benefits are sustained across communities, competitions and Member Unions throughout the region.
BACKGROUND
Oceania Rugby is one of six regional associations of World Rugby, responsible for representing the interests of its 17 Members. Oceania Rugby works closely with Member Unions on the development and reach of rugby in the region to promote the growth of rugby throughout Oceania. Central to this is a series of tournaments and development programmes run and coordinated by Oceania Rugby. Oceania Rugby’s sport for development programmes contribute to achieving gender equality, reducing inequality, and ending violence against women and children, and are built around the rugby values: respect, integrity, solidarity, discipline and passion.