NRL Dragons Extend Community Footprint with Squadron Energy Backing

The St George Illawarra Dragons have expanded their community engagement program in regional New South Wales, delivering their Best You Can Be Blitz program across schools in the New England area, supported by major partner Squadron Energy.

The initiative, which involved visits to Drummond Memorial Public School, Guyra Central School, and several other local schools, was led by former Dragons star Nathan Blacklock alongside current players Dylan Egan and Tom Eisenhuth. The program also included a Come & Try Clinic at Tingha’s Bob Ward Oval and a community wellbeing event in Inverell.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, saying it was about, former Dragons winger, Blacklock, said: “helping kids understand the importance of making positive choices around health and wellbeing.”

The use of past and current players as program ambassadors also reinforces the club’s efforts to maintain strong cultural and emotional ties with regional audiences.

Positioned as a health and wellbeing initiative for young people, the program provides teachers with resources designed to encourage positive choices around physical activity, respect, inclusiveness, nutrition, and screen time management. While the immediate focus is grassroots education, the broader strategy reflects the increasing importance of NRL clubs strengthening their ties with regional communities.

For Squadron Energy, the partnership highlights a growing trend of major energy providers investing in sport-linked community programs to reinforce their corporate social responsibility and regional engagement.

With operations based in rural and regional Australia, the company’s alignment with the Dragons’ outreach builds brand equity in communities critical to its long-term social licence to operate.

Dragons officials have previously positioned community work as a core pillar of their commercial strategy, leveraging partnerships to fund grassroots engagement while also building pathways for fan development outside the club’s traditional Sydney and Illawarra base.

These programs offer sponsors more than traditional visibility—they provide tangible connection points with schools, families, and regional networks.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.