For many families and players, community sport is one of the most meaningful investments in health, wellbeing and social connection.
Across Western Australia, participation in organised sport continues to deliver clear benefits including improved physical activity, stronger social networks and greater community engagement. However, rising cost-of-living pressures are increasingly impacting participation, particularly for households supporting multiple players.
While registration fees are often highlighted, equipment costs remain a significant and recurring barrier. For rugby families, this is compounded by rapid junior growth and ongoing replacement needs for adult players, with boots often requiring annual or seasonal replacement.
During a recent Kalamunda Rugby Club Junior Carnival, RugbyWA delivered targeted on-the-ground support to players and families through the Boots Project, supported by Labrador Petro-Management, reinforcing the program’s role in reducing participation barriers at community level.
On the day, 40 pairs of boots were distributed directly to players and families, with a further 33 expressions of interest captured for ongoing supports. Clubs engaged through the initiative included Kalamunda, Mandurah, Rockingham, Swan Suburbs and Southern Lions.
Beyond immediate distribution, the program is seeing growing demand across metropolitan and regional WA, reinforcing the scale of equipment-related barriers at grassroots level.
The Boots Project demonstrates a simple but measurable intervention model, where removing a tangible barrier directly supports sustained participation outcomes.
This aligns with RugbyWA’s broader participation priorities, including improving retention across juniors, seniors, women and girls and all abilities programs, while strengthening pathways into club rugby.
The Rugby Foundation of Western Australia plays a critical role in scaling this impact by enabling targeted, data-driven community programs that reduce drop-off points and strengthen retention across key demographics.
As cost-of-living pressures continue to influence sporting participation across WA, early evidence from the Boots Project highlights a clear return on community investment. When equipment barriers are removed, participation is protected.
This reinforces a key insight for partners and stakeholders. Targeted, practical support at grassroots level delivers immediate participation impact, strengthens club sustainability, and supports long-term player retention across the rugby ecosystem.
Learn more about the RugbyWA Boots Project here.
