Rugby Australia has announced a major investment in the women’s high performance pathway, headlined by the launch of the NextGen XVs program and the introduction of High Performance Player Agreements for emerging female talent.
Made possible through the support of Australian Rugby Foundation donors, the initiative marks a strategic shift in how Australia identifies, develops, and retains female athletes in the lead-up to the 2029 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics — both on home soil.
A New Competition Pathway
Building on the success of the established NextGen 7s format, 2026 will see the inaugural NextGen XVs debut at both under-16 and under-19 levels.
The program creates a unified development system where Rugby Australia, Super Rugby Women’s programs, and member unions — including NSW Rugby — collaborate to support consistent athlete progression. Talent will be identified through existing representative pathways, including the Buildcorp Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships, to be held on the Sunshine Coast this July.
The inaugural competitive schedule is as follows:
- Under-19: Two Rugby Australia-managed squads will face off on 12 September and 3 October 2026.
- Under-16: A holistic high-performance development camp, culminating in a match on 3 October 2026.
Beyond the matches themselves, the program places a strong emphasis on specialist training across rugby skills, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental health.
Direct Financial Support for Players
In a historic first, Rugby Australia will directly contract more than 20 high-potential young female players in 2026 through new High Performance Player Agreements. These agreements provide direct financial remuneration, allowing athletes to focus on their rugby development rather than having to balance it against outside employment — a barrier that has long affected women’s pathways at this level.
What the Leaders Are Saying
Jilly Collins, Rugby Australia’s GM of Women’s High Performance and Competitions, described the announcement as a landmark moment for the game:
“This landmark step is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of the donors through the Australian Rugby Foundation. We are grateful for their belief in the women’s game — their investment is the catalyst that allows us to launch the NextGen XVs and provide direct financial support to our brightest stars. By creating a high-performance environment where our athletes have the resources to thrive, these donors are directly shaping the future of the Wallaroos and Australian Sevens teams as we look toward 2029 and beyond.”
Jilly Collins, GM Women’s High Performance and Competitions, Rugby Australia
Holly Kelsall, General Manager of the Australian Rugby Foundation, highlighted the role philanthropy plays in driving women’s rugby forward:
“This is exactly the type of investment the Australian Rugby Foundation exists to deliver, and a clear reflection of our commitment to the women’s game. We work closely with Rugby Australia to identify where funding can have the greatest impact and mobilise philanthropic support to make it happen. The launch of NextGen XVs and High Performance Player Agreements are tangible outcomes of that work, strengthening the pathway for the next generation of female athletes.”
Holly Kelsall, General Manager, Australian Rugby Foundation
Lachlan Parkinson, Rugby Australia’s Head of Women’s Pathways, emphasised that the program is bigger than any single fixture:
“The NextGen XVs is about more than just matches — it is about building a sustainable pipeline of talent. By aligning our youth development and retention strategies, we are ensuring that every talented young player has a clear, supported journey toward our Teams in Gold. This program provides the specialised coaching and competitive environment necessary to prepare them for the rigours of international rugby.”
Lachlan Parkinson, Head of Women’s Pathways, Rugby Australia
What It Means for Sydney Women’s Rugby Union
For Sydney Women’s Rugby Union, this announcement is a genuine cause for excitement. Sydney produces some of the finest young female rugby talent in the country, and the NextGen XVs program gives our most promising under-16 and under-19 players a clear, structured, and properly resourced next step.
The introduction of High Performance Player Agreements is equally significant — recognising that financial support is not a luxury but a necessity if we want to keep our best young athletes in the game and help them reach their potential.
We look forward to working with NSW Rugby to ensure Sydney players are well represented as the program takes shape ahead of its September debut.