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Dolphins cement new feeder deal with Capras

Twizzle

Twizzle

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NRL's newest team Redcliffe Dolphins to cement ties with central Queensland, what's in it for the region?​

ABC Capricornia
/ By Katrina Beavan and Frazer Pearce
Posted 12h ago12 hours ago, updated 12h ago12 hours ago
Two rugby league players in blue jerseys tackle a player on the field

Central Queensland Capras welcome the long-awaited partnership, calling it the 'holy grail'.(Supplied: Central Queensland Capras Facebook)

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.
"We're just really excited with the discussions we've had, and we just know it's going to be a wonderful outcome for our region."
Click to expand...
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.
Two men in collard shirts standing smiling to the camera in front of a banner

Central Queensland Capras CEO Peter White (left) and Redcliffe Dolphins CEO Wayne Bennett have welcomed the new partnership between their clubs. (ABC Capricornia: Frazer Pearce)Want more local news? Sign up to the weekly ABC Capricornia email newsletter

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.
"I want the young men and women here to want to play for the Dolphins, that's the pathway, your pathway to the NRL is through the Capras onto the Dolphins and the rest is going to be history," Mr Bennett said.
Click to expand...
"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.
"Everyone jokes about: It's a shame that Brisbane has only ever had one team, when it's the biggest league loving city in the world. Well I think we've arrived in the second biggest league loving city in the world — in Rocky.
Click to expand...
"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.
 
Perth Red

Perth Red

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I guess with them unable to convince Sunshine coast to jump ship they needed another regional area and looks like its CQ now.
 
blaza88z

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I would think if they can't secure the Sunshine Coast team as a feeder it would be a hammer blow to what they are trying to achieve with their North Brisbane setting

I don't know what the status is there with the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne but I would be very confident in saying that Redcliffe would definitely be wanting to have the Sunny Coast as a feeder
 
MugaB

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blaza88z said:
I would think if they can't secure the Sunshine Coast team as a feeder it would be a hammer blow to what they are trying to achieve with their North Brisbane setting

I don't know what the status is there with the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne but I would be very confident in saying that Redcliffe would definitely be wanting to have the Sunny Coast as a feeder
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Pretty sure Melbourne have extended their partnership with the falcons just recently, things might change after the dolphins are somewhat successful in 2-3 seasons after they are playing.... if they are successful that is
 
Get Rid of The Donkeys

Get Rid of The Donkeys

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blaza88z said:
I would think if they can't secure the Sunshine Coast team as a feeder it would be a hammer blow to what they are trying to achieve with their North Brisbane setting

I don't know what the status is there with the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne but I would be very confident in saying that Redcliffe would definitely be wanting to have the Sunny Coast as a feeder
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It would be good for junior players based on the Sunshine Coast to feed into an NRL team that is only one LGA away.
 
MugaB

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Perth Red said:
Maybe they'd rather feed into the most successful club in the modern NRL era and live in a cosmopolitan city rather than an outer suburb that looks like where they grew up?
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Then we don't need a perth team, coz any and all the WA juniors can play for the storm, they feed them like they did in their inagural year in 1998
 
Perth Red

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MugaB said:
Then we don't need a perth team, coz any and all the WA juniors can play for the storm, they feed them like they did in their inagural year in 1998
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Yeh if perth was same as Sunshine Coast then I’d agree lol if all perth was about was a better pathway then you’d have a point,
 
Perth Red

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Interesting, wonder why Dolphins or Broncos didnt try and tie this region down?

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Western Clydesdales have today announced an affiliation that will provide immense benefits for rugby league across south-west Queensland.

Bulldogs General Manager of Football Phil Gould AM and Clydesdales Chairman Tony Coonan, have today revealed the two clubs have signed a Heads of Agreement that paves the way for a three year partnership between the two clubs, starting in 2023.

www.bulldogs.com.au

Bulldogs and Clydesdales announce affiliation agreement

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Western Clydesdales have today announced an affiliation that will provide immense benefits for rugby league across south-west Queensland.
www.bulldogs.com.au www.bulldogs.com.au
 
Perth Red

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Am I right in thinking Brisbane and southern Qlnd regions will from next year be split:

Broncos - Norths Devils, Wynnum Seagulls, Souths Logan
Dolphins - Redcliffe Dolphins, CQ Capras
Titans - Burleigh Bears, Tweed heads Seagulls
Storm - Sunshine Coast Falcons, Brisbane Tigers
Bulldogs - Western Clydesdales
? Knights - Ipswich Jets (not sure of this is still in place)
 
The Axe of Druss

The Axe of Druss

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Perth Red said:
Am I right in thinking Brisbane and southern Qlnd regions will from next year be split:

Broncos - Norths Devils, Wynnum Seagulls, Souths Logan
Dolphins - Redcliffe Dolphins, CQ Capras
Titans - Burleigh Bears, Tweed heads Seagulls
Storm - Sunshine Coast Falcons, Brisbane Tigers
Bulldogs - Western Clydesdales
? Knights - Ipswich Jets (not sure of this is still in place)
Click to expand...
Yeah that is about the size of it

Knights have a pathways setup with Ipswich, not a full feeder arrangement. They dont send reserve graders there to play

It started in 2020 but unsure if its still going or the length of the deal

https://www.newcastleknights.com.au...launch-pathway-partnership-with-ipswich-jets/
 
A

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The PNG Hunters have announced a strategic pathways partnership with the Dolphins NRL franchise that will include participation in a full NRL pre-season for four young Papua New Guinean players.

This agreement will provide a genuine pathway for Papua New Guinean rugby league players beginning in the Digicel Cup, through to the Hunters and right into an NRL system.

The partnership is in alignment with the Hunters’ strategic plan to develop more Papua New Guinean players into the NRL competition by 2025.

Under the agreement, four Hunters’ players will attend a full pre-season with the Dolphins NRL squad, starting in 2023.

Of those four players, two will be selected by the Dolphins to stay on and train with their NRL squad for the remainder of the season.

If not selected to play for the Dolphins NRL side, those players will come back and play for the Hunters in the 2023 QRL’s Hostplus Cup.

Read more: https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2022/05...strategic-pathways-partnership-with-nrl-club/
 
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