UQRFC FOUNDATION

University of Queensland Rugby Union Foundation Trust (Foundation) is a charitable trust established in 1994 to provide money to The University of Queensland (UQ), to further the sport of Rugby Union football by enabling UQ, through its sporting club University of Queensland Rugby Football Club Inc. (Club), to enhance its students’ general health and welfare and community participation through playing the sport of Rugby Union football; the Foundation is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).

About the Foundation

The Foundation is administered by 14 highly credentialled, unpaid Trustees (13 of whom are alumni of UQ and the Club) – click here for further information regarding the Trustees. The Trustees raise money from the public, manage and invest the trust monies prudentially (after taking professional advice) in accordance with the Trust Deed and governing legislation (including the requirements of the ACNC and the Australian Taxation Office)

The Foundation’s target is to have a Fund of $10 million, the earnings of which will drive the purposes for which it was established. At 30 September, 2020, the Foundation’s net assets were A$ 2,900,000. Donors to the Foundation receive a tax deduction for 100% of the full amount of their donation

Annually, the Foundation distributes to UQ (which passes it on to the Club) no less than 4% of its net assets at the preceding 30th September balance date; in 2020 this was $132,000

The Foundation’s accounts are audited annually and are sent to ACNC. The Foundation has authorised the committee members of the Club and its General Manager to raise donations for the Foundation.

About UQRFC

The Club was founded in 1911. Since then the Club has seen many thousands of men and women enjoy the game of Rugby Union at UQ and the fine rugby traditions and great camaraderie and mateship. This has resulted in many successes on the rugby field and developed members, as individuals, in an environment where the tradition of Scienta ac Labore (by means of knowledge and hard work] is encouraged and extolled.

The contributions of preceding members of the Club have been both visionary and selfless; however, the Club is meeting stiffer opposition from other clubs and it needs to be ambitious if it wishes to remain a leading rugby institution in Australia

In 2021, the Club’s rugby activities included: fielding twelve senior 15’s teams in the QRU club competition, having an elite Women’s 7’s Program, men’s and women’s 7s, junior affiliate clubs and Junior Heavies, coaching and development, international and domestic rugby tours, an inclusive rugby program and operating an Academy

The Club employs staff and coaches to deliver it rugby operations. The Club has further ambitions including employing Development Officer’s in the Western suburbs to drive participation, bi-annual overseas tours, growing international networks (for example with Tokyo’s Toyo University last year), mental health support and others. These activities and ambitions will cost money; the Club has to raise all its revenue; financial assistance from Rugby Australia/QRU has ceased with funding now flowing in the other direction via a component of player Registrations diverted to both RA and the QRU.

The Club’s primary sources of revenue are events, sponsorship, registrations and the distributions flowing from the Foundation;

The Club assists the Trustees in raising money for the Foundation; it has formed a cross-generational sub-committee to drive engagement and develop awareness of the great and essential contribution the Foundation makes – and to raise funds.

HOW TO MAKE A DONATION

If you wish to make a donation, please see the options below:

  1. Click here and download the Donation Form and return it to the Foundation.
  2. Click here and donate online
  3. Direct deposit funds to the UQ Rugby Union Foundation Trust bank account and email remittance to admin@uqrugbyclub.com                Bank details are: Macquarie Bank – BSB:182512,  ACC Number: 961841285
  4. Mail or drop off a cheque made out to UQ Rugby Union Foundation Trust

Please return donation form and/or cheque c/o UQ Rugby Club, PO Box 6121, St Lucia QLD 4067.

If you wish to speak to someone about making a donation please reach out to one of the contacts below:

Mark Anderson (Trustee of the Foundation) – 0416 234 278

Jason Greenhalgh (UQRFC General Manager) – 0400 716 166

Bruce Brown (Chairman of Trustees of the Foundation) – 0418 785 641

Jon Broadley (Trustee and Secretary of the Foundation) – 0413 751 522

UQRFC FOUNDATION

The UQRFC Foundation was established in 1994, when the Club was in a perilous financial situation to provide UQRFC long term financial stability.

Fast forward to 2023 and never has that investment been more critical – with events revenue having collapsed, an uncertain playing calendar and sponsors under pressure.

Chaired by Bruce Brown and overseen by a Board of Trustees, The Foundation manages what is a Perpetual Fund. Click here for a list of the Trustees.

Contributions are invested with a long-term view with an objective of delivering 4% (average) annual distributions. Distributions and the education element (via UQ) are requirements for tax deductibility of donations made to the Foundation.

To provide some context of our finances, historically financial contributions from Rugby Australia (RA) were made to Premier Rugby Clubs to support coaching, development and management.

This ceased long ago with funding now flowing the other direction via a component of player Registrations diverted to both RA and the QRU.

Clubs now generate income themselves to employ staff and deliver rugby services.

Our primary sources of revenue are events, sponsorship, registrations and the Foundation’s contribution.

Every cent we generate flows directly to rugby services – to our twelve senior 15’s teams, elite Women’s 7’s Program, men’s and women’s 7s, Junior affiliates and Junior Heavies, international and domestic tours, inclusive rugby Program, Academy, coaching and development.

We have further ambitions including employing Development Officer’s in the Western suburbs to drive participation, bi-annual overseas tours, growing international networks (for example with Tokyo’s Toyo University last year), mental health support and others.

The Foundation is critical for our ability to deliver these services.

The contributions of founding members was both visionary and selfless. However, we now need to diversify and grow if we are to remain a leading rugby institution in Australia.

We have formed a cross-generational sub-committee to drive engagement and develop awareness of the great and essential contribution the Foundation makes – and to raise funds.

Contributions are 100% tax deductible. The Fund is managed by a very highly credentialed Board of Trustees and audited annually. Investment decisions are made with a long-term view.

The Club has committed to four major objectives: Elite performance (premierships and developing representative players); women’s rugby & inclusiveness; juniors and international connectivity.

We are energized by the goal of ensuring the next 110 years for UQRFC are as fulfilling and successful as our first 110 years and hope for your support in achieving our shared objective.

To Donate to the Foundation, please contact our General Manager, Jason Greenhalgh on jason@uqrugbyclub.com.au or 0400 716 166.

Alternately, funds can be direct debited into our Foundation Bank Account:

Account Name: UQRU Foundation          BSB:  182512       Account Number:  961841285

Sir William MacGregor Dr, St Lucia QLD 4067