THE City of Coffs Harbour and NSW Rugby Union have officially entered a landmark three-year partnership to deliver the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby, which comes to the region for the first time from 3-6 April.

This long-term commitment aims to see the festival grow into one of the country’s leading rugby events, bringing together elite international matches, grassroots competitions, and community engagement initiatives to showcase the very best of rugby on the Coffs Coast.

Beyond the action on the field, the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby will serve as a major fundraising platform for the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation, supporting the delivery of Rugby For Good programs across Northern NSW.

Funds raised from the festival will go towards initiatives such as Rugby In The Park, which works with people experiencing homelessness and social disconnection; Kickstart, a rugby program designed to engage and empower young people in youth justice centres; and Get Talkin’, a mental health and resilience program that uses rugby as a vehicle for open conversations and support.

With facilities such as C.ex Coffs International Stadium and high-performance training venues, the region has already proven its ability to attract national and international teams, with the Japan Development Team, Australian Barbarians, and Australian U20s all set to base themselves in Coffs Harbour as part of this year’s festival.

City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams welcomed the partnership, highlighting the long-term benefits for local businesses, tourism, and sporting communities.

“This festival is going to be a crowd-pleaser, and we have the perfect stage for elite sports spectacles in the C.ex Coffs International Stadium,” Mayor Williams said.

“Onfield and off we look forward to hosting some of Australia’s rising domestic players and those from Japan – providing a world-class setting to promote all things rugby.

“Importantly, this three-year partnership will deliver for the local community and serve as an enabler for a raft of positive social outcomes through the Rugby For Good initiatives.”

NSW Rugby Union CEO Peter Murphy echoed the excitement, emphasising the festival’s role in growing the game and strengthening community connections.

“This partnership is a game-changer for rugby in regional NSW. Coffs Harbour is a proven destination for elite sport, and having the support of the City of Coffs Harbour ensures we can continue to deliver a world-class event that engages the entire community,” Mr Murphy said.

The Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby is set to feature elite international clashes, including Japan A vs Australian Barbarians; community activations and school engagement programs; the Coffs Coast Challenge – a premier junior and social rugby tournament; the Mid North Coast Super Round, featuring over 2,000 grassroots players; and a corporate golf day and charity fundraising luncheon to support the delivery of mental health workshops and suicide prevention programs.