Founded in adversity but forged in hope, the New Zealand Rugby Foundation champions the safety of all players in the game we love. Partnering with New Zealand’s seriously injured players for life, we are at the heart of a true team where whānau, funders, donors, affiliates and the rugby community combine to ensure support for seriously injured players is maximised. Once a team mate, always a team mate. Our work centres on four key pillars – these pillars hold up the 155,000 registered rugby players in New Zealand that safely play our most loved sport. Like any recreational pursuit, there are an unlucky few who are seriously injured playing rugby. The Foundation is there from the moment a child, amateur or professional player steps out onto the pitch to if the unimaginable happens and they suffer a serious injury during play. "The foundation is there to make sure despite a rugby injury, which is pretty damn sad, that we have the potential to live our life. If the foundation is able to assist, they are in boots and all.” – Grant Sharman, a seriously injured player supported by New Zealand Rugby Foundation, injured in 1977