The Pineapple Express Backs Veterans and Defence Families Through Direct Sponsorship

From MMA and Ironman competition to motorsport, fishing and even home security, The Pineapple Express has been providing direct financial support to veterans, serving Australian Defence Force members and Defence families across Australia.

The Pineapple Express has continued to expand its direct sponsorship of members of the Defence and veteran community, supporting individuals and families across sport, recreation and personal circumstances.

Rather than directing its community funding through larger organisations, The Pineapple Express has taken a more direct approach, providing financial assistance to individuals who have approached the organisation for support.

The philosophy behind that approach is simple: know who is being supported, understand what the assistance is being used for and ensure the funding reaches the person it was intended to help.

“We have always wanted to support veterans directly,” The Pineapple Express said.

“We prefer to know exactly where the money is going and what it is helping somebody achieve. By supporting people directly, we can see the impact that assistance is having.”

The organisation does not actively seek sponsorship opportunities. Instead, those supported to date have approached The Pineapple Express themselves, often with a goal, competition or personal circumstance they are seeking assistance with.

While many of the sponsorships have centred around sport and competition, they have varied significantly in both scale and purpose.

Team Tooney Fishing veteran fishing group. Picture: Instagram

Among The Pineapple Express’s longest-running sponsorships has been its support of veteran fishing group Team Tooney Fishing.

The group received financial assistance across four consecutive years, from 2022 to 2025, while competing in the Gold Coast Flathead Classic.

Funding provided by The Pineapple Express contributed towards costs including competition entry fees, fuel, boat-related expenses and other costs associated with participating in the event.

For the organisation, supporting activities such as fishing is about more than the competition itself. It is also about encouraging veterans to remain connected, active and involved in something that provides a sense of purpose and mateship.

Brayden Kirkbright after knocking his opponent out in 5 seconds in the 1st round. Picture: Instagram

MMA fighter Brayden Kirkbright has also received sponsorship from The Pineapple Express for two fights.

His first sponsored appearance, in November 2025, ended almost as quickly as it began.

Kirkbright knocked out his opponent just five seconds into the opening round, a result The Pineapple Express says marked the fastest knockout in Australian MMA history.

The organisation subsequently continued its support for Kirkbright into a second fight.

While the result attracted attention, The Pineapple Express says the value of these sponsorships extends well beyond wins, losses or trophies.

The months of training, preparation, discipline and commitment required to compete are all part of what makes these activities worthwhile to support.

Tyson showcasing his gear and set up. Picture: Instagram

Veteran Tyson Matheson received support on an international scale when The Pineapple Express covered his entire race entry fee for the 2026 Ironman World Championship in Nice, France.

Competing at that level requires months of preparation across swimming, cycling and running, with the event representing the culmination of a significant training commitment.

For The Pineapple Express, Matheson’s sponsorship represents the type of purpose-driven challenge it wants to help members of the veteran community pursue.

“All of these activities can drive purpose in a veteran’s mindset,” the organisation said.

“That is a big part of why we support them.”

The sponsorship program has also extended to current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

Amy, suited up and ready to send it. Picture: Instagram

Current serving ADF member Amy Adams has received support from The Pineapple Express for motorcycle track days at Queensland Raceway, with the organisation covering entry and track fees.

The support helps reduce some of the financial barriers associated with participating in motorcycle racing and allows Adams to continue pursuing an activity that provides challenge, enjoyment and a positive focus outside of work.

The Pineapple getting some track time. Picture: Instagram

One of the organisation’s more personal sponsorships involves Tim, a young BMX rider.

Tim is the son of a veteran. While the sponsorship helps Tim participate in BMX competitions, the purpose extends well beyond the track.

Travelling to events gives Tim and his father the opportunity to spend dedicated time together on road trips, attend competitions and build memories away from the pressures of everyday life.

This particular sponsorship also highlights that support for the veteran community does not always need to be directed solely at the veteran themselves.

Sometimes supporting a child, partner or family member can also have a meaningful impact on the veteran and the family as a whole.

Not all of The Pineapple Express’s support has involved sport or competition.

Picture: ChatGPT generated image

In another case, a female veteran approached the organisation while experiencing concerns for her personal safety following a domestic violence situation involving a former partner.

Her identity has been withheld for safety and privacy reasons.

The veteran reported feeling unsafe at her residence because of the history with her former partner, prompting The Pineapple Express to provide financial assistance for the installation of security cameras at her home.

The support was practical, immediate and based on what the veteran needed at the time.

For The Pineapple Express, the situation reinforced that supporting the community cannot always fit neatly into a sporting or sponsorship category.

“We want to look after our community whenever we can,” the organisation said.

“Sometimes that might mean helping somebody get to a competition. Other times it can mean helping somebody feel safe in their own home.”

The organisation says it prefers direct support because it allows it to clearly understand where funding is going and what outcome the assistance is intended to achieve.

The Pineapple Express has also traditionally been cautious about donating to larger charities, instead preferring to provide support directly to individuals or groups where it can see how the money is being used.

The people and groups supported so far have all approached the organisation themselves, with each request considered according to its individual circumstances.

What connects the sponsorships is not necessarily the activity itself, but the purpose behind it.

The Pineapple Express says the assistance is made possible through profits generated through Merch and Coffee sales, with a portion of those funds directed back into supporting members of the Defence and veteran community.

For The Pineapple Express, that is where the value lies.

Turning the support it receives from its community into something practical, direct and meaningful for the people within it.

Team Tooney Fishing | @team_tooney_fishing

Braydan Kirkbright | @_kiirky

Tyson Matheson | @maffo_tys

Amy Adams | @__adzyyy__