Budget Direct is backing grassroots rugby league in Sydney’s south, launching a program with the South Sydney Rabbitohs to support more than 7,000 junior players, clubs and referees through funding, equipment and development pathways.
Budget Direct has announced a new community and grassroots initiative in collaboration with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Budget Direct Grassroots and Growth Program aims to support over 7,000 young players and their local clubs in the South Sydney region. This program includes investment in the South Sydney Junior League, Rabbitohs Touch, and Rabbitohs Oztag.
As part of the initiative, Budget Direct will provide equipment such as goal post pads, corner post pads, and marquees for the 2026 season and beyond. The program was celebrated at the Rabbitohs’ recent Come and Try Day, which featured branded merchandise and ticket giveaways.
Budget Direct has also become the exclusive apparel partner of the South Sydney District Rugby League Referees Association. The association offers training, development pathways, and mentorship for referees. Jonathan Kerr, Chief Growth Officer at Budget Direct, highlighted the importance of community involvement, stating, “Community footy is part of the fabric of South Sydney. Every weekend, local clubs bring families together, get kids active and outdoors, keep small businesses going, and create real community connections that protect young people’s wellbeing.”
Kerr further elaborated on the program’s objectives: “The Budget Direct Grassroots and Growth Program with South Sydney is another way we can give back to the local community and hopefully provide thousands of families with improved access to local footy, better resources for their clubs, and more opportunities for their children to participate in community sport.”
Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “Community clubs are the beating heart of footy. Kids fall in love with the game the moment they pull on a jersey and run out onto their local field. Budget Direct’s investment is giving back to what makes our game so special – helping to develop the next generation of players and fans and ensuring kids across South Sydney have the chance to experience the game.”
South Sydney Rabbitohs player Campell Graham, who has roots in local clubs, commented on the significance of the initiative: “Having Budget Direct invest in the Rabbitohs’ junior clubs is massive for grassroots footy. I came through the Coogee Randwick Wombats and Maroubra Lions and I know how much that kind of support means to a local club. Events like this Come & Try Day are exactly how you get kids falling in love with the game — I wish we’d had something like this when I was coming through.”
Kerr also emphasised the role of referees in community sports, stating, “You can’t have grassroots footy without referees. They’re out there every weekend, keeping our players safe, games fair, and games running across South Sydney. Supporting them feels like a natural extension of our commitment to the local community.”
In addition to the grassroots program, the Budget Direct Footy Charity Championship will inject $205,000 into charities and offer prizes for fans. Budget Direct’s sponsorship approach encompasses grassroots investment, referee support, and youth participation programs. The company also sponsors The Dolphins, Melbourne Storm, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
