The unique character building values of rugby are on display at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York this week as a delegation from Rugby Australia has been given the unique opportunity to meet with ambassadors from around the world and share its programmes within the fields of Sport for Development, and Diversity and Inclusion.

Across three days from 3-5 September, members from Rugby Australia will present the work being undertaken within First Nations Rugby, Rugby in the Pacific as well as Gender Equity and LGBTI within sport. Representing First Nations Rugby will be Australian Sevens and Wallaroos star Mahalia Murphy and Special Project Manager Jarred Hodges who will share the success of the #dreamBigTime project.

Wallabies legend David Campese will also be joining the trip to promote the Rugby World Cup 2019 and introduce hundreds of participants from all over the world to introductory Rugby programs, ‘Get Into Rugby’ and ‘Touch 7s’.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said the organisation is honoured to have the opportunity to promote the positive impact that Rugby can have on individuals and their communities internationally.

"Over the last 12 months we’ve taken significant strides with our Sports for Development and Diversity and Inclusion programs. We continue to see incredible year-on-year growth in female participation in rugby as both participants and leaders, and we have an expanding partnership with the Australian Government and Oceania Rugby to grow the game in the Pacific. Now we get to share this progress with Government representatives and key stakeholders from all over the world which will no doubt inspire new ideas and opportunities to expand our programs in 2020."

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Tegan Brink said: “We’re really excited to partner with Rugby Australia and show how sport has the power to change peoples’ lives, at both the high performance and grassroots level. Through our PacificAus Sports program and Pacific Sports Partnerships we have witnessed positive impacts on thousands of people across the region by using Rugby Union as a tool for community development, cohesion and empowerment.’’