Dalby Devils’ rugby league club celebrates record-number of girls at club

It’s been years in the making but the Dalby Devils finally welcomed an under-13 girls team in a mammoth season that’s seen a record number of girls and women players in the competition.

The Dalby Devils' first ever under-13s girls side. Picture: contributed

After years of planning and developing, in a club first the Dalby Devils have an under-13s girl’s side, who are taking the competition by storm with their optimism and excitement despite challenges of limited team training and travel.

The 2023 season of junior rugby league has already kicked off with a massive bang as Dalby’s club has a record-breaking 60 girls playing and 40 female staff on board.

Coach of Dalby Devils’ under-13s side Shirley Hay said the new team was important as when children reach the age of 12 they can no longer play mixed football and there hadn’t yet been a girls side started.

“In 2019 every club had a girl’s team, it was going really well but then Covid hit,” she said.

The team was able to get up and running thanks to combining two clubs, with eight of the girls being from Oakey and 13 from Dalby.

“That’s our disadvantage, some of these girls don’t see each other until game day,” Ms Hay said.

Dalby Devils Under-15s player Mia Waters. Picture: contributed

“They are fantastic because they come in and hug each other and get to know one another on the day, they’ve bonded so well.”

The coach said it was thanks to many staff members of the club and competition as well as senior players as to making it all happen.

“I coach the Oakey girls at Oakey then drive to Dalby,” Ms Hay said.

“There’s a lot of support to get these girls to play. From seniors at both clubs, they’ve taken the girls and shown them how to kick the ball, it’s really good to be able to count on everybody.”

Assistance from more experienced players is something both the junior and senior clubs at Dalby pride themselves on with the current Devils to Diehards campaign underway which has the older club members on the field with the juniors mentoring them during training.

Allie Egel was nominated as one of the Players to Watch for the upcoming Dalby Devils season, 2023. Picture: contributed

Ms Hay said it’s only the beginning for girls rugby league, as sign ups have increased since kick-off.

“It’s only going to get better and better,” she said.

“I believe with all the young players we have there will be a team straight up next year.

“The more that it’s publicised and now that the girls are back playing, I think numbers will get high very quick. Everybody seems to love their footy.”

This weekend the Dalby Devils’ will host their annual fundraiser round at the Dalby Rugby League’s Club where money will be raised for R U OK? Day and to increase mental health awareness.