The Australian Women’s 7’s Rugby Team are rugby royalty and we’re lucky to have them make a special appearance at Newport’s Porter Reserve to help celebrate an important milestone.

The Reserve has been home to Newport Rugby Club and Newport Junior Rugby Club for over 60 years.

Thanks to Council and the NSW Government a new amenities building with a female change room, toilets and showers – a first in the clubs’ history – as well as a first aid room, accessible amenities, canteen, balcony area and seating have been constructed.

The much-needed facilities will support the growing female interest in the sport. According to Rugby Australia, Rugby 7’s is the fastest growing women's sport, with uptake up 36 percent across the board last year.

The new additions to the Reserve will not only benefit the club which is heavily used during the winter sports' season for rugby training, games and gala days but also demonstrates both Council’s and the Clubs’ commitment to inclusive rugby for all.

Newport Rugby Club currently has over 750 members of which 75 are female players.

At the official opening on Friday 28 April, the Australian Women’s 7’s team coached both the junior and senior teams and ran through a training session which was a momentous event for its members.

Rugby Union (Rugby) is a global game for all ages, genders, sizes and backgrounds.

There are many varying formats from non-contact Sevens (7’s) to Fifteen-a-side (XVs) with elite and social competitions available delivering significant social and health benefits.

The $1.1 million project was partially funded by a substantial $400k grant from the NSW Government Office of Sport.