Australian Services Rugby Union
Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU), affiliated with the Australian Rugby Union, was formed in 1963 and is the vehicle for talented Defence Rugby Union players to gain national recognition. ASRU fields both men's and women's senior teams selected from serving members of the ADF. In 2010, ASRU introduces a new initiative known as the Emerging ASRU team, which is the pathway for the development of up-and-coming senior representative players.
ASRU is a non-profit organisation, which seeks to turn monies it receives from sponsorship and other sources back into the development of Rugby in the ADF.
Each year ASRU fulfils a busy schedule, with the Australian Services Rugby Championship (ASRC) between Navy, Army and Air Force being one of the principal events. At the conclusion of the annual championship the ASRU men’s and women’s squads are chosen to represent the ADF in high profile matches against quality opposition.
Annually, the ASRU Men’s team competes against sides such as NSW and Qld Suburban, NSW and Qld Country, Victoria, and Australian Universities. Every two years ASRU takes part in the Pacific Nations Military Cup, which was inaugurated in 2006 and staged in Canberra. NZDF Rugby Union hosted the 2008 tournament. ASRU will host the Cup in 2010, again in Canberra. This event brings together representative teams from the militaries of Australia’s Pacific neighbours and features high quality and entertaining rugby. Every four years ASRU conducts an overseas tour, the last tour being in 2007 which comprised a five match series in Chile and Argentina. In 2011, ASRU's focus is expected to be the inaugural International Defence Rugby Competition, which is proposed to occur in Australia and New Zealand around the time of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup.
Every year, the ASRU Women's team competes in the ARU National Championship. In 2009 ASRU won their division and had two players selected in the Wallaroos squad - Lieutenant Kate Porter and Lieutenant Caroline Vakalahi. Kate was subsequently awarded the Wallaroos Vice Captain position. Participation in ADF women’s rugby has increased over the past few years, which was highlighted by the very good quality of rugby at the 2009 Australian Services Rugby Championship.
Go to the 'Events' section of the ASRU webpage to view the 2010 program. It is the most exciting and challenging program undertaken in many years.
