Connections Rugby League Team

25/08/2026

🖤 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT | Budby Yaga Group 🖤

At Connections Indigenous Rugby League Club, we're proud to partner with local businesses that share our values of community, culture and connection.

This week we're shining the spotlight on our Major sponsor the Budby Yaga Group. Get to know the story behind Graham Budby and the team and why they chose to support our club.

❓Why did you start Budby Yaga Group?

Budby Yaga Group was established five years ago with a vision to provide meaningful cultural support to both employers and employees. We recognised a gap within the mining industry, where many Indigenous trainees were becoming disengaged, and saw an opportunity to make a difference.

In response, we developed a culturally focused training and support program designed to help mining companies better engage, support and retain their Indigenous workforce. Whilst we don't do this training anymore, we still have it sitting in the background if we want to start looking at running it again. Our labour hire division began from an unexpected challenge issued by one of Australia's Tier 1 mining companies. They challenged us to supply 10 experienced machinery operators within two weeks, with the promise of a contract if we could deliver. We exceeded expectations by providing 12 operators in just 10 days. As a result, we secured a three-year contract and, importantly, continue to work successfully with that company today.

❓Why did you want to support and sponsor Connections?

Connections is a cause that's close to my heart. After experiencing firsthand support from Andrew and seeing the positive impact the team has in the community, I wanted to help contribute to that work.

Mental health, cultural wellbeing, and physical health are topics many Indigenous men struggle to talk about openly. Supporting Connections helps create awareness, encourage conversations, and remind people they're not alone.

❓How is the best way to connect with you and what services do you offer?

Budby Yaga Group provides a range of mining support services, including mine site rehabilitation, mine site cleaning, machinery wet and dry hire, and field maintenance services. We pride ourselves on being responsive and easy to work with and our employees are treated like family.

The best way to get in touch is via email at [email protected] or through Facebook Messenger.

🤝🏿 From everyone at Connections Indigenous Rugby League Club, thank you to Budby Yaga Group for standing beside our players, families and community. We encourage everyone to get behind this deadly local Indigenous business and support those who support our mob. 🤎💙🤍

24/08/2026

💥 CONNECTIONS RAFFLE 💥
Connections Rugby league is excited to launch our Raffle.

We have 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes.
1st prize- Is 1.2m x 50cm original aboriginal artwork done and donated by our resident artist Learna Murphy, a 2026 Cowboys indigenous jersey signed by the current players, thanks to the kind donation from the Love family and a full kit of connections merchandise (polo, singlet, shorts and hoodie)

2nd prize valued at $500- 2 kings throne camping chairs, 1 BBQ (portable) and accessories, kindly donated by Clear Cut Solutions.

3rd prize valued at $300- Is 2x Allgoods barber vouchers and a $200 Intersport voucher kindly donated by Yellow Brick Road home loans.

$20 a ticket with limited tickets of 200.

Please come and support our community and people.

Thank you for your support and reach out if you need any more information.

❗️The raffle will be drawn on the 18th of September❗️

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

Money board is now all done and paid for! Thank you all so much for your support, we will be going live at 6:30pm to reveal the luck winner 🏅

11/08/2026

❗️Last day to place orders ❗️

Please direct message our page if you’re chasing supporters items from our shop. After today we will no longer be taking orders.

We appreciate all your support so far! can’t wait to see you all representing our connections teams❤️💙

06/08/2026

Reminder 11th August is the last day to pay and order Supporters Gear.

05/08/2026

Connections Indigenous Rugby League Club is proud to announce that Budby Yaga Group is once again backing our club as a valued sponsor for another carnival.

Their continued support means so much to our players, families, volunteers and community.

We're incredibly grateful to have Graham Budby and Budby Yaga Group believing in our vision and investing in the future of our club and community.

Please join us in thanking Budby Yaga Group for their ongoing support, and if you get the opportunity, show them the same support they continue to show us.

Thank you for being part of the Connections family. We look forward to another fantastic carnival with you.

04/08/2026

RETURNING TO CONNECTIONS FOR 2026!

We’re incredibly proud and honoured to welcome back some of our returning players for the 2026 Mackay Indigenous Rugby League Carnival. Their commitment, loyalty and belief in what Connections stands for means more than they’d know.

We can’t wait to see you all back on the field, representing our culture, our community and our Connections family.

Welcome back, boys! ❤️💙

more announcements coming soon👀

25/07/2026

🚨 2026 SUPPORTERS MERCH – AVAILABLE NOW & PRE-ORDERS OPEN! 🚨

🔥 Our first release of 2026 supporters merchandise has arrived and is available now while stocks last!

Missed out or want to secure your size? Pre-orders are also open for our next order!Every purchase helps support our players both on and off the field.

Training Shirts – $45
Polo Shirts – $55
Fishing Shirts – $60
Shorts – $45
Singlets – $45
Hoodies – $70

Orders close Monday, 11th August.

Send us a message to check current stock or place your pre-order today!

Thank you for supporting Connections

17/07/2026

🖤💙 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT | Forbidden ONYX (FO) 💙🖤

At Connections Indigenous Rugby League Club, we're proud to partner with local businesses that share our values of community, culture and connection.
This week we're shining the spotlight on Forbidden ONYX (FO). Get to know the story behind the brand and why they chose to support our club.

❓What made you start FO?

Forbidden ONYX started from a very personal place. In 2021, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During that time, because of the situation and not being able to work like she normally would, I started looking for a way to create something positive.I thought, "Let's start a business. "What started out as making coconut candles from home slowly became something much bigger. We started creating, learning and building. Over time, that little idea grew into Forbidden ONYX—a brand built around culture, community and connection.

FO was never just about clothing. It became a way to share stories, celebrate identity and create something that people could feel proud to wear. Every design has meaning. Every piece has a story. That's where our message, "Wear Your Story," comes from.

❓What made you sponsor Connections?

For us, it isn't really about sponsoring the Connections Rugby League Club—we see it as backing our community.
FO was built because our community backed us when we were starting out. Our journey taught us how important support is. Sometimes all it takes is someone believing in you, giving you an opportunity or standing beside you.

When we look at Connections, we see those same values—people coming together, supporting each other and creating opportunities for our community.
So for us, it's more than putting our name on a jersey. It's about standing beside the players, families and supporters and saying:
"We see you, we support you, and we're proud to be part of your journey."
At FO, we believe communities grow when we all back each other.

❓What's the best way people can connect with FO?
It's pretty simple—Like, Follow and Share our socials.

That's the easiest way to become part of the FO journey. Follow along, see what we're creating, understand our vision and help us continue building something special right here in our community.

Every like, share and comment helps us reach more people and continue growing.
We're not just building a clothing brand—we're building a movement around culture, community and connection.
Jump onto Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, follow our journey and back us as we continue to grow.
Wear Your Story. 🖤💙

🤝 From everyone at Connections Indigenous Rugby League Club, thank you to Forbidden ONYX for standing beside our players, families and community. We encourage everyone to get behind this deadly local Indigenous business and support those who support our mob. 💙🖤