Bravus rolls up its sleeves for Cowboys NRLW partnership

Bravus will deepen its support of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys from the 2027 season, with the company’s brand set to appear on the sleeve of the Club's NRLW jersey for the first time.

The expanded partnership will see the coal mining and rail freight business on the sleeve of both the Cowboys’ men’s and women’s jerseys, while adding extra support for grassroots rugby league across regional Queensland through a new Bravus Home Ground program.

Bravus Chief Executive Officer Mick Crowe said the move was a natural next step in a partnership that has been driving social, economic, and community benefits across regional Queensland since 2019.

"We've been backing the Cowboys for a long time now, and we've always said we're for all of regional Queensland, not just half of it," Mr Crowe said.

"Until recently the NRL controlled the sponsorship on the women's jersey sleeve, so it wasn't something the Club could offer.

"That's changed and, honestly, it was a pretty easy decision for us.

"We support the whole Club and from 2027 you'll see the Bravus name on the sleeve of the Cowboys NRLW jersey, just as you do on the men's jersey."

Mr Crowe said the partnership had been so successful because both organisations were built around the same part of the world.

"The Cowboys don't belong to one town, they belong to regional Queensland," he said.

"That's pretty similar to us. Our people live and work right across the region and the Club brings those communities together in a way few organisations can.

"That's why this partnership has always made sense.

"Most people will see the logo on the sleeve and that's great, but that's not really the point.

"Through this extension of our commercial partnership, we're also extending our community work through the Bravus Home Ground program.

"What that'll do is help junior rugby league clubs across regional Queensland and recognise the people who keep local footy alive.

"Those people don't do it for recognition, they do it because they care about their club and their community and we think that's worth celebrating."

To mark the announcement, Cowboys NRLW players and coaching staff visited the Carmichael mine to learn more about Bravus' mining and rail operations and meet some of the people behind them.

Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ricky Henry said the visit provided valuable insight into one of the region's largest employers and an organisation that shares many of the same values as the Club.

"The operation, the scale of it, and the people involved were really impressive," Henry said.

"There are also a lot of similarities between what Bravus does and what we do as a football team.

"Courage, trust, and commitment are important values for us and they're important in a workplace like this as well."

Cowboys NRLW superstar Bree Chester said seeing the operation firsthand had given the group a greater appreciation of the people and industries that support regional Queensland.

"Probably what stood out most was just how large everything was," Chester said.

"There are so many people involved and so much going on. It's a lot bigger than I was expecting.

"It's really special to have that partnership with Bravus and to have them on our sleeve. Knowing they're right behind us means a lot to the whole playing group."