Youi Insurance has partnered with the National Rugby League (NRL) to deliver mental health and resilience education to regional communities impacted by extreme weather, launching its latest program in Gympie, Queensland.
Over 400 students and junior players took part in the Youi Community Scrum sessions on June 9.
The initiative, designed to help communities cope with the aftermath of natural disasters, involves workshops facilitated by NRL community ambassadors, including former professional players.
The Gympie event follows previous Community Scrum activations in northern New South Wales and outer Brisbane. These areas were among those hardest hit by past flooding events, with the program providing both educational support and donations to help local sporting clubs replace damaged equipment.
Chris Jarrett, executive general manager for claims at Youi, said the program reflects the insurer’s approach to community engagement in the aftermath of weather-related disasters.
“As an insurance provider, we see first-hand the tragedy caused by significant weather events, and we want these communities to know they are not forgotten. Through this partnership, we aim to provide meaningful support and promote key messages of resilience, well-being, and the power of community connection,” he said.
Jarrett noted that Youi’s role as a partner to the NRL aligns with its effort to assist communities where grassroots sport plays a central role.
Clinton Toopi, former NRL player and now State of Mind program manager, said the collaboration provides a unique avenue to reach communities with messages about mental health and recovery.
“We are proud to partner with Youi in delivering the Community Scrum program in 2025, a vital initiative dedicated to strengthening communities that have endured significant hardships. By delivering programs including State of Mind and League Stars Inspire, we connected and fostered resilience and mental wellbeing within these communities,” he said.
The timing of the Gympie event aligns with new research into the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the significant claims related to recent extreme weather events.
Research from James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station, supported by Natural Hazards Research Australia, has found key vulnerabilities in building structures exposed by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year.
Although downgraded to a tropical low, the weather system’s winds caused significant water ingress and structural failures in parts of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. These included damage to windows, balconies, and building exteriors.
The report proposed 15 recommendations, including:
Insurers have recorded nearly $1.5 billion in losses in the first part of 2025, according to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).
The March event linked to ex-TC Alfred accounts for over $1.2 billion and more than 116,000 claims. Residential property made up the largest portion of claims, followed by commercial and motor policies.
In comparison, North Queensland floods in February resulted in approximately 11,000 claims and $250 million in insured losses.
Claims in Alfred’s wake averaged $10,000 each, whereas the average from the earlier Queensland event reached $23,000.
Another 7,000 claims have been reported from flooding in New South Wales’s Mid North Coast and Hunter regions, with insurers continuing field operations in support of recovery.
