Events help build connection and bring vibrancy to our community. Our Event Grants and Sponsorship Program supports businesses and community groups to stage events across the Northern Beaches with cash and fee waiver support.

In line with the program’s aim of delivering new and innovative events, we’ve sponsored the Aqua Rugby Festival at Manly Cove for three years.

Following a weather effected debut in 2021, Aqua Rugby was back in Manly this past November with the sun shining and crowds in attendance.

With big hits and even bigger splashes, Aqua Rugby is a floating rugby festival that takes sports and entertainment to a whole new level.

Played over 3-days, the festival was packed with exciting full-contact matches played atop of a 30 x 30 metre pontoon where players must dive off the floating pitch into the water to score a try.

A diverse mix of professional and amateur teams from all around Australia played for the Aqua Rugby trophy. Current and former men’s and women’s rugby stars were backed by the Aqua Rugby festival ambassadors including international rugby icon and All Black great Ma’a Nonu, NSW Waratahs and Wallaroos lock Sera Naiqama, and former Australian rugby union great Drew Mitchel.

This free to the public festival attracted large crowds along Manly Cove shoreline and featured kids’ activities, music, and big screens.

If you missed out on attending, you can catch up on all the Aqua Rugby fun on demand on Channel Nine.