Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos has been selected as an ABA100® Winner for Community Contribution in The Australian Business Awards 2022. The Australian Business Award for Community Contribution [CCA] recognises organisations that implement initiatives that have a positive impact on the community and generate outcomes that have a long-term benefit.
“We are incredibly humbled and honoured to be recognised in such an important space, away from the football field. While this award is a special nod to our staff who work tirelessly to inspire and empower the next generation of First Nations youth, we also hope it shines a light on the wonderful achievements of our students, who inspire us just as much and enrich our club’s culture enormously. We couldn’t be prouder of them.
“When we focus on the strengths of these young boys and girls, incredible things happen and while we’ve achieved so much already, there is much more to do to together, leave a legacy that lives on long past the siren.”
Since inception in 1988, the Brisbane Broncos brand has become synonymous with on-field success and the production of some of rugby league’s greatest players, and icons in the Australian sporting landscape.
However, the organisation’s commitment to the community is held in just as high regard when it comes to the successes the club is most proud of. Some of the club’s most impactful work and victories happen away from the football field, a far cry from the bright lights and cameras.
In addition to grassroots game development programs, the Broncos’ most significant programs are dedicated to empowering and supporting disadvantaged Indigenous youth, leveraging the Broncos extraordinary reach and audience as a vehicle to improve the outcomes of those involved.
The Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy and Mentoring Program provide culturally safe, strengths-based mentoring support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from years 7 to 12. More than 40 staff work directly within schools and communities to provide targeted and individualised assistance in the form of mentoring and learning support to achieve success in education and transition successfully into further study and employment.
Since 2016, more than 2500 students in the Beyond the Broncos programs, across 54 schools in Queensland and northern New South Wales states, have achieved higher attendance rates than the national average, enrolments have increased by 500%, and more than 2000 youth have been placed into work.
The Brisbane Broncos have a long and proud association with First Nations people with more than 30% of the Brisbane Broncos staff of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage, including its playing groups. The cultural competency of the programs cannot be overstated, with more than 80% of staff involved in the off-field programs, also with a First Nations heritage.
The Brisbane Broncos strongly believe that sport and sporting organisations have a powerful role to play to positively impact on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and while much success has already been achieved, the club believes it can, and will always strive to do more.
For more information about the Brisbane Broncos and the Beyond the Broncos Programs, visit broncos.com.au/community