Landmark Broncos partnership clears pathway for Falcon players

This new affiliation will provide a clear pathway for local female players to progress through the Broncos NRLW and Academy programs.

The partnership will also allow Sunshine Coast-based Broncos players to return to the Falcons when not required by the main squad, offering development opportunities for both players and coaching staff.

Brisbane Broncos NRLW Head Coach Scott Prince expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating it was a logical fit for the club, given how much junior talent he was seeing coming from the Sunshine Coast region.

“Hayley Maddick has been an inspiration for the young girls up here on the Sunshine Coast, and there are plenty of the next crop of stars coming through,” Mr Prince said.

Head of NRLW and Game Development Paul Dyer highlighted the long-standing presence of the Broncos on the Sunshine Coast, emphasising the importance of having a dedicated Game Development Officer in the region.

"Our program has always supported the Falcons junior rugby league club, and we’re really excited to work even closer with Chris and the team at the Falcons," Mr Dyer said.

Falcons Talent

Falcons Women’s Head Coach Danny Gray said they had several high-quality juniors coming through the Falcons female system, and it made sense for the club to provide those girls with a clear pathway from their junior teams through to the NRLW via the Brisbane Broncos.

Falcons CEO Chris Flannery noted the success of Sunshine Coast players in the NRLW, including Annette Brander, Otesa Pule and Hayley Maddick.

"We expect this affiliation to assist us in providing more Sunshine Coast talent to the NRLW while keeping Falcons players on the Sunshine Coast when not required by the Broncos NRLW side," Mr Flannery said.

“We’re thankful to have the excellent facilities at Council’s Sunshine Coast Stadium to support us in attracting high performance outcomes like these.”

The Broncos logo will feature on the Falcons BMD Women’s training shirts and singlets, symbolising the strong bond between the two clubs.

Strong NRLW Community

Sunshine Coast Council Strong Community Portfolio Councillor Taylor Bunnag praised the initiative, saying the partnership would be a fantastic opportunity for local female athletes.

“It provides them with a pathway to professional rugby league and strengthens our community's connection to the sport,” Cr Bunnag said.

"The collaboration between the Broncos and Falcons is a testament to the talent and potential we have here on the Sunshine Coast.

It's exciting to see our local players getting the recognition and support they deserve."

Sunshine Coast Council is a proud supporter of the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
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