Here’s a cause that could be worth supporting… a 74 year quadriplegic raising money for those less fortunate.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair, with only limited range of movement in his upper body, Brothers club stalwart, John Connolly insists he’s “one of the lucky ones”.

“Let’s face it, the accident (Connolly suffered severe spinal trauma when he toppled off a wall in August 2021) could have happened when I was 50, or even 20,” the long serving Queensland and Australian rugby coach said. “The real tragedy is seeing kids with their whole life in front of them, lying on a hospital bed, trying to come to terms with the fact they are never going to walk again.”

Determined to do what he can to help, Connolly has written a book, capturing details of his own very colourful life as one of Australia’s most successful rugby coaches, and more recently, his time in politics.

Bare Knuckles is a book centred around rugby, commencing with the Brothers Club, where Connolly learned his grade, and in more ways the one, left his mark! But it’s also a story about friendship, about leadership, about achievement, accountability, adversity, courage, and in the twilight years of John Connolly’s life, an unwavering generosity of spirit.

“John Connolly is one of a kind – a great coach, a great man, and a great friend. His story is raw, moving, funny and real.“ –  John Eales, Brothers’ great and dual World Cup winning Wallaby.

Proceeds from the sale of the book are going to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation (www.pcsrf.org.au).

Bare Knuckles can purchased via the website – johnconnollybook.com.au