The Emus Foundation is a charity with a mission that goes beyond the game.​
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The Foundation aims to raise funds to provide support to injured players and rugby clubs in need across regional and rural areas of NSW.​​​​​
Emus Rugby Club has always rallied together in times of need.
In 2022 one of the club's most loved players - Andrew 'Reegs' Regan - suffered a life-altering injury during a game and through the initial stages of his recovery, the Orange community generously contributed wherever possible in an outpouring of support.
However, during this period we identified a gap in the club's ability to directly facilitate support and engagement. The community support was deeply felt, and profoundly appreciated. But it became clear more formal structure was required to facilitate that support.
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After many conversations, a lot of hard work and a few leaps of faith, a dedicated group of club members and supporters, alongside 'Reegs' of course, established the Emus Foundation​
Injuries in rugby
Rugby is a contact sport, injuries happen. Most of the time injuries are minor and can be overcome in a matter of days, or weeks. But, while we wish they didn't occur at all, sometimes those injuries can be incredibly serious. At times, serious injuries can require surgery and/or intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy to not just recover, but in some instances just to return to everyday life.
Regional complexities
Regional areas often don't have the same level of healthcare services as bigger cities, that's just a fact of life in the country. But in the event of an injury that can mean players and their families need to travel or stay away from home to receive the care they need. This is particularly true of serious injuries, which may require time spent getting treatment in metropolitan hospitals or facilities.
The impact of injuries
An injury itself can have a profound impact on a player both physically and mentally. Recovering from a serious injury can be an extensive, arduous, time-consuming, exhausting and incredibly costly process. Regardless of a player's circumstances those broader impacts of injuries and recovery aren't exclusive to the player, they can also affect and take a heavy toll on family and friends.
How we plan to help
By providing support and assistance, we aim to ease some of the pressures that can be created for players and their families in the event of injuries, particularly serious injuries. By helping to provide some relief from the burdens associated with costs, we hope to make the process of recovering from injury a little bit easier, and a bit more comfortable for players and their families.
Support for clubs and rugby people in need
A huge priority of the Foundation is to help injured players, but we are also completely aware of the many people and clubs across rugby communities who are in need for other reasons. That could be related to injuries, like the need for additional infrastructure as an example. But it could also be related to aspects of life like serious illness. So the Foundation also aims to provide support to other rugby people and clubs and need.
In its initial stages, the Emus Foundation is targeting hosted events to build a pool of funds to begin providing support for eligible players who have suffered an injury.
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As development and fundraising continue to progress, funds will be made available through an application process for eligible players, which is expected to open in 2025.
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For more information or to express your interest in supporting the Emus Foundation, please follow the link below to touch base.
