The Brisbane Broncos and Sunshine Coast Falcons have announced an historic new partnership today on the Sunshine Coast.

The first ‘stand-alone’ NRLW affiliation with the Falcons, will provide a pathway for local Sunshine Coast Falcons female players via the Broncos NRLW and Academy programs.

It will also see Sunshine Coast-based Broncos return to play for the Falcons when not required in the main squad, as well as development opportunities for coaches and staff.

Brisbane Broncos NRLW Head Coach Scott Prince was in attendance on Thursday and welcomed the new partnership.

“It’s a logical fit for us, given how much junior talent we’re seeing coming from the Sunshine Coast region,” Prince said.

“Hayley Maddick has been an inspiration for the young girls up here, and there are plenty of the next crop of stars coming through.

“Several of our top 24 and development list players, including recent signing Georgia Bartlett have been produced here, the future is bright for the region.”

Head of NRLW and Game Development Paul Dyer said:

“We’ve had a long-standing presence on the Sunshine Coast for just shy of a decade through our Game Development footprint for both young boys and girls.

“It’s been important to us for a long time to have a dedicated Game Development Officer here, in former Bronco Jack Reed, who has championed our Club and pathways on the Coast.

“He’s also the Head Coach of the Under 19s Falcons side this year, which is another terrific link.

“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.”

Falcons Women’s Head Coach Danny Gray said:

“We have several high-quality juniors coming through our Falcons female system, from U16s through to our BMD Premiership open women’s team.

“It makes sense for us to provide those girls with a clear pathway from our Falcons junior and BMD Premiership teams through to the NRLW via the Brisbane Broncos, who are our closest NRLW Club.”

Falcons CEO Chris Flannery added:

“The Sunshine Coast has produced some wonderful NRLW players over the years 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 at the same time will keep Falcons players on the Sunshine Coast when not required by the Broncos NRLW side.