It is not a “one size fits all” program, but rather the beginning, of a program which will establish RISING as a leading contributor to assist with the challenges our community have.
ABOUT US
RISING the dominating force in growing our young people for the future
Our Values
Respect
Foster accountability and provide a safe place to be heard and to respond
Honesty
Respectful and honest interaction between participants, to build a trusting relationship
Quality
Promote and display excellence in all we do, ensuring quality in program development and delivery
meet the team
RYLEY JACKS
PARTICIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
I grew up in South Brisbane right next to Easts Juniors. That’s where I played all my Rugby League up to senior level.
I completed a Carpentry trade straight after school, then was picked up by the Melbourne Storm and was lucky enough to play professional for the next 7 years. I also got to play at the Gold Coast Titans and Featherstone Rovers in the UK.
I’m grateful I get to come back to this club and be a part of starting off the RISING Community Program. Alongside such an accomplished person in Yvonne O’Neill, we have built the program up since starting in January 2023.
We are now lucky enough to have some great ambassadors working for the program in Maria and Nat.
We are able to go out to the community connect with young students and mentor them throughout their time at school. We get to share our stories and talk about our challenges and successes.
MARIA GRAF
RISING AMBASSADOR
I came from Brazil last year to experience living in a rugby league country. Having a long sporting background, I played Futsal professionally for many years, and I got to know rugby at the University and then I hit the peak of my athlete career which was being the captain of the Brazilian National Team at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.
With a bachelor degree and post degree in Sports, I’ve been working with rugby for the last past 5 years, mainly developing social programs. I feel special to be part of this team, where the purpose of the program aligns with my passion. Giving the students the chance to develop and grow as people and to see how many opportunities and life skills the sports bring to you through the Rising Program is unique.
I’m truly grateful for the Brisbane Tigers where I could make history, being the first Brazilian playing in the BMD Premiership competition, and for also bringing me work opportunities. Working alongside both experienced and young minded people is the key for the success of this program. Definitely this experience will be life changing in my professional career.
NATALEA ELIAS
RISING AMBASSADOR
I originally began playing Rugby League in 2022 at East juniors and then proceeded to play at Brisbane Tigers in the Under 19s Harvey Norman. This is where I found out about the RISING Community Program and was immediately interested in getting involved.
I am currently studying a bachelor of Sport Development at Griffith University. After university I hope to be involved in developing women in sport as well as improving support for female athletes.
I am grateful to be working with the RISING Community Program as not only do I love my job, but it is also teaching me many skills for my future career in the sporting industry. Working with Maria and Ryley has also been an amazing experience as they are both very experienced within working with students and the sporting industry and have taught me very valuable lessons.
I love being involved with the RISING Community Program as it gives back to the community and makes an impact on students’ lives.
YVONNE O’NEILL
FOUNDING MEMBER
YARAADHA GABA, YAAMA GAYRR NGAYA YVONNE O’NEILL
Translation: Good Day, hello my name in Yvonne O’Neill
I am an Aboriginal woman, born and raised in Goodooga, far north-west NSW. My journey has been a road less travelled, but worth every heartbreak, every uncertainty, every moment that someone didn’t believe in me and definitely worth the successes I have had with creating educational programs that are grounded in culture, with a culture first approach . My life experiences have shaped the person I am today, and with confidence I know that ‘this is me’, and staying true to who I am is key to my success.
I am proud to be a direct descendant of the Yuwaalayaay and Muruwari people on my mother’s side and Nhunaggaburra from Nhunggal country on my father’s. I have learnt from both my parents and grandparents about who I am culturally and the role I play for my people. This strong cultural foundation is key to my development and leadership of program / projects I have been involved in. These experiences enables me to draw on my own personal experiences to assist in hopefully inspiring the next generation of young leaders, in achieving their life goals.
From a young age I had two goals, the first was to play rugby league for Australia and the second was to work with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous young people, in the hope to empower and inspire them to ‘dare to dream’.
Empowering the next generation young people to value and enjoy their educational journey both culturally and in the western ways. I am achieving this through my leadership and continued involvement in developing transformative educational programs.
