Twiggy Forrest to launch and fund junior rugby development program
Billionaire Andrew Forrest has unveiled plans to launch a junior rugby development program initially in Western Australia and eventually across Australia.
Forrest is set to launch a six team Indo Pacific Rugby Championship next year featuring the Western Force and will dip into his deep pockets again to fund the RugbyRoos initiative.
The program will teach kids aged 4-12 the fundamental skills of rugby at clinics to be run by contracted WA Rugby players.
Forrest said all contracted players will be obligated to devote 350 hours of their personal time each year to community programs like RugbyRoos.
"Rugby starts at the gras roots, and finishes with elite. Not the other way around," Forrest said.
"Rugby has been struggling a bit in the eastern states at a community level. The RugbyRoos is a great way to build the community spirit through rugby in the eastern states.
"RugbyRoos is a long-term vision."
Forrest has already resurrected the Future Force Foundation, and he'