Broncos Club in historic women’s rugby league deal

It was long seen as a man’s game, but now The Broncos Club has shown Australia’s leagues club how they can support female players.

Brisbane Broncos Women celebrate after their historic, inaugural grand final win in the NRLW against the Sydney Roosters Women at ANZ Stadium last year. They have now secured major sponsorship from The Broncos Club. Picture: Robb Cox © NRL Photos

Red Hill’s The Broncos Club has scored a game-changing try for female empowerment, becoming the first such club in Australia to provide major sponsorship to a women’s NRL team.

The club, formerly known as the Broncos Leagues Club, has announced it will become a new principal partner for the Broncos NRL women’s team.

The women’s NRL competition began only last year and the new funding commitment will help underwrite the growth of the local team.

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The Broncos Club chairman, Lawry Brindle, said he was passionate about the club’s commitment to growing the code, and financial backing for female players would help them take the next step into a career in rugby league.

“It’s an exciting time for our club. We are finishing our building renovation and now we are proud to show our diversity and passion for female sport,’’ he said.

“This sponsorship also ensures our financial commitment is now evenly split between the male and female teams at The Broncos.

“I call on other clubs and businesses to increase their support of women’s sport.”

Former state Sports Minister and local MP, Kate Jones, said she was thrilled.

“It’s great to see our local footy club getting behind women in sport,” she said.

“We can all be really proud that our Broncos Club is the first in Australia to sponsor an NRLW team.

“This also sends a really strong message to young girls and women that women’s sport matters and it’s here to stay.

“I want to congratulate the Broncos Club for their commitment.’’

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The newly-released logo of the The Broncos Club will feature prominently as principal sponsor on the women’s team jersey and apparel for the upcoming 2019 season.

Brisbane Broncos NRLW CEO, Tain Drinkwater, said securing The Broncos Club as the new front-of-jersey sponsor was a huge bonus for the team.

“There is a really strong historical link between the Broncos team and the club, and this partnership writes another page in that rich history,” she said.

“Our NRLW training facility and field is right next door to The Broncos Club, so it makes a lot of sense to have them as our major partner.

“We look forward to a successful year both on and off the field with The Broncos Club front and centre to our journey through 2019.”

Last year, the Broncos women made history after winning the inaugural NRLW grand final at ANZ Stadium, trouncing the Sydney Roosters.

The Broncos Club CEO, Joe Kelly, who has three daughters, said the move reflected the fact that half of its members were women.

The non-profit club set up in Red Hill in 1988. It now has more than 30,000 members around Australia and in New Zealand.

The renovations, including a new-look cafe and restaurant, launch next month.