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The newest team in the NRL may be based in Brisbane, but the Redcliffe Dolphins, to play in 2023, are now eyeing off talent further north, officially confirming an affiliation with the Central Queensland Capras.
Key points:
- The Redcliffe Dolphins say the partnership will create the ideal pathway for central Queensland players into the NRL
- Dolphins CEO Terry Reader says creating the team was as much about opportunities for regional Queensland as it was for Brisbane
- The new club is also hoping to create a fanbase in central Queensland through the new affiliation
Capras CEO Peter White welcomed the news, calling it the "holy grail".
"This is something we've waited for for a long, long time, we're blessed, it's a wonderful Christmas present for us, not just for the club but also for the central Queensland region," Mr White said.
"It just seems that in the past … clubs have probably taken the easy option, that's to pick the eyes out of us, rather than contribute to what we're about."
Mr White said it had always been a challenge to retain players, but he hoped the new partnership would put an end to that problem.
"Now [the players] know full well that they can stay, they can sleep in their own beds … they can be surrounded by their own network of friends, and the Dolphins are going to be keeping an eye on them," he said.
The partnership has come just in time for a proposed $25 million redevelopment to turn Brown Park into a 10,000 seat stadium, with construction due to begin late next year.
New pathway to the NRL
Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett said it was a solid commitment that was not going to disappear in one or two years' time.
"It's working-class Australia up here … I know that guys from this part of the world are certainly a lot more battled-hardened than the young boys that live in Brisbane.
"It's a quality that's a part of growing up here…and they epitomise that, and they have shown that as a team," the League legend said.
Redcliffe Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said he had been in talks about this for more than a year.
"When the NRL decided to bring in a second Brisbane team it wasn't just about Brisbane, it was about Queensland, and especially CQ [central Queensland]," Mr Reader said.
"We've got 10,000 kids playing rugby league in central Queensland, [and] some of the greatest names in our game have come out of here, so it's making sure we can increase that.
"If someone is a Capras fan, we want them to be a Dolphins fan as well … we're going to actually make sure we have a meaningful presence here," Mr Reader said.
Aspiring female players also stood to benefit, with Mr Reader stating there was a plan and structure in place to build a Dolphins NRLW team as well.