Auto & General brand Budget Direct has partnered with NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs to drive rugby league participation.

The Grassroots and Growth Program will support the South Sydney Junior League, Rabbitohs Touch and Rabbitohs Oztag competitions, backing contests and providing equipment for clubs.

Budget Direct chief growth officer Jonathan Kerr says the program will benefit more than 7000 young players and “marks another way we can give back to the local community”.

“Community footy is part of the fabric of South Sydney,” he said. “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.”

Budget Direct also has a new exclusive apparel partnership with the South Sydney District Rugby League Referees Association, to support the training of match officials.

“You can’t have grassroots footy without referees,” Mr Kerr said. “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.”

This investment is part of a broader sponsorship strategy that Budget Direct says goes “beyond traditional jersey branding”. The insurer will also contribute $205,000 throughout the NRL season as part of its Footy Charity Championship program.