Development
The development of pathways for grass roots rugby league in the local communities has always been a core value for the Dolphins.
In fact, the establishment of the Redcliffe and Peninsula Rugby League Club back in 1947 was designed to promote the game of rugby league to the local population on the peninsula.
The Dolphins NRL club will continue this legacy into the future with an even wider focus on our footprint that extends from Brisbane to the Moreton Bay and Brisbane northern corridor, to the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay and Central Queensland regions.
Some of these areas of Queensland have been previously starved of the presence of an NRL team, and the Dolphins are already making successful inroads to plug this gap.
The Dolphins employ full-time staff to conduct activity in these regions to promote junior participation through both clubs and schools.
Kings CQ Tour comes together in Emerald
This includes a range of education for both players and coaches, administrative support, and designated health education to male and female juniors to generally improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
It also includes the targeting of local players from the area to ensure they have the best possible opportunity to develop their skills and progress to the highest levels of the game.
These pathways to the NRL have been cemented in the affiliate club agreements set in stone with Queensland Rugby League clubs the Redcliffe Dolphins and Central Capras, that compete in the Hostplus Cup.
Coach Education
The Dolphins’ Game Development staff take pride in developing the volunteers in junior rugby league clubs through the important task of coach education. This function is important as more skilled coaches leads to greater participation and enjoyment of the game by players.
Junior Player Gala Days
The Dolphins hold Gala Days for both male and female players to develop their skills and general knowledge of the game. These events take place both in Brisbane and the regional areas of the club’s footprint.
Schools
The Dolphins are invested in creating pathways for schools to play and excel in rugby league, believing sport participation is an important part of any education. This has included the implementation of a new competition for Wide Bay and Central Queensland school – The Dolphins Cup – that has alleviated the need for students to travel to North or South-east Queensland to participate in a viable competition.
Junior Academies
The Dolphins have established academies to identify and improve talented players from the areas, including in the Greater Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Central Queensland areas. Participants are given specialised coaching and learn new training techniques to improve their skills and build their chances of progressing to representative and higher grades of rugby league. In 2024 Dolphins NRL are also investing in female academies throughout these regions.
Game Development Partners
The Dolphins respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
