Why homegrown superstar Tamika Upton won’t return to Capras in 2025

A revamp of the BMD Premiership means a big change to the make-up of teams in the statewide women’s rugby league competition, robbing the Capras of a hometown hero. Here’s why.

Fullback Tamika Upton playing for the Capras in the 2024 BMD Premiership season. Photo: Pam McKay

She was one of the CQ Capras biggest drawcards this season but homegrown superstar Tamika Upton won’t don the club’s jersey next season.

A change in scheduling for the BMD Premiership means Upton and fellow NRLW players will likely not be involved in the women’s statewide rugby league competition in 2025.

The expanded competition will start in mid-June, just a fortnight before the NRLW season kicks off.

A March start this year allowed stars such as Upton and Newcastle Knights sisters Jessie and Hannah Southwell to play with the Capras before moving on to the national competition.

Tamika Upton with young fans Harper Quigley and Annie Brown after a Capras home game at Browne Park.

BMD competitions manager Dave Maiden said that all the clubs would be in the same boat, and it would create opportunities for some of the future stars of the game, including those stepping up from the Harvey Norman under-19s.

Maiden’s comments came with the release of the 2025 draw, with the Capras set to host competition newcomers, the Ipswich Jets, at Rockhampton’s Rugby Park on June 14.

The Northern Pride also join the ranks, taking to 12 the number of teams who will play an 11-week regular season before the top six contest the finals series.

CQ Capras women's head coach Julyess Jarvis.

Julyess Jarvis returns as head coach of the Capras who are set to start training in March.

He hopes to have a squad of about 30 players to carry through the extended season.

“I’ll be looking to bring a lot of local A-grade talent into the BMD system and utilise the 19s girls as well once their season finishes,” he said.

“With the BMD and NRLW seasons aligned, it will give more of an opportunity to those girls living in the Central Queensland region to put their best foot forward.

“The 11 rounds will be good and a real test for the girls, giving them a chance to grow personally as athletes.

The Capras will take on the Ipswich Jets in Round 1 of the 2025 season.

“It’s exciting to see the growth in the women’s game and I can only see it continuing that way.”

Jarvis expects Ipswich to be a tough proposition, building on a strong junior system at Ipswich State High School which won the NRL National Schoolgirls title in September.

The Capras will play their two opening fixtures at home before heading north to tackle reigning champions Mackay Cutters in Round 3.

Capras women’s 2025 draw

Round 1, June 14: Ipswich Jets at Rugby Park, Rockhampton, at 2pm

Round 2, June 21: Norths Devils at Rugby Park, Rockhampton, at 4pm

Round 3, June 28: Mackay Cutters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay, at 2pm

Round 4, July 5: Wynnum Manly Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane (time TBA)

Round 5, July 12: Western Clydesdales at Rugby Park, Rockhampton, at 2pm

Round 6, July 19: Tweed Seagulls at Rugby Park, Rockhampton, at 2pm

Round 7, August 9: Sunshine Coast Falcons at Rugby Park, Rockhampton, at 2pm

Round 8, August 16: Burleigh Bears at Rugby Park, Rockhampton, at 4pm

Round 9, August 24: Souths Logan Magpies at Davies Park, Brisbane, at 3pm

Round 10, August 30: Northern Pride at Barlow Park, Cairns, at 3.20pm

Round 11: September 6: Brisbane Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane, at 1pm