New Zealand Warriors owner and Dolphins CEO reveal what the new partnership means for junior players

Redcliffe Dolphins have joined forces with the New Zealand Warriors in a groundbreaking new deal. The clubs have revealed what this deal means for aspiring local players at all levels.

A new partnership between the Redcliffe Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors’ NRL club has opened new doors for aspiring rugby league players.

Redcliffe Dolphins CEO Tony Murphy met with Warriors owner Mark Robinson at Dolphin Oval this morning.

The deal came about after COVID-19 hit, putting an end to the Intrust Super Cup season and forcing the Broncos to end its long affiliation with the Redcliffe club.

Mr Murphy said the club had been working on the deal for about a month.

NZ Warriors owner Mark Robinson and Redcliffe Dolphins CEO Tony Murphy at Dolphins Stadium, Redcliffe. PHOTO: AAP/Sarah Marshall

“It come about because the Warriors needed some help early in the piece with some back up players and a couple of our boys helped and they did okay and it just grew from there,” Mr Murphy said.

He acknowledged that it was an end of an era.

“It has been the Dolphins and the Broncos for a long time but now we have a direct pathway straight through to the Warriors – there is a pathway straight there,” Mr Murphy said.

“We have an enormous population of New Zealand players in Moreton Bay and now they can come here and go through the grades and play for the Warriors – how great is that?

“It is just a good fit all around, it is a good fit for our footy club, it is good fit for out kids, it is a good fit for business and tourism.”

Mr Robinson said that many young New Zealand players headed to Queensland every year to play at a club level.

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Grant Cleal, Mark Robinson, Tony Murphy and Cameron Cullen at the Dolphins Stadium. PHOTO: AAP/Sarah Marshall

“Hopefully now with this affiliation they will look at coming to play for the Dolphins and not for Burleigh,” Mr Robinson joked.

Through the deal the Warriors will send its reserve players to the Redcliffe Dolphins – to play in the Intrust Super Cup.

Dolphins captain Cameron Cullen said this new arrangement would only make the Peninsula side stronger.

“Broncos are a strong club but this new pathway shows how we are growing and moving forward as a club,” Cullen said.

He said the extra competition for spots on the top team would only make the Redcliffe side stronger.

“You don’t want players in your squad who aren’t willing to fight for their spots,” Cullen said.

“This will also open up new pathways for the younger kids to go over to New Zealand for pre-season sessions.”

Mr Murphy said COVID-19 said it was a “cracker” deal that offered benefits to Redcliffe and New Zealand clubs and players.

Mark Robinson and Tony Murphy pose for a photograph at the Dolphins Stadium following the new partnership deal. PHOTO:AAP/ Sarah Marshall

He said talks were already underway to host a trial match between the Warriors and another NRL team at Dolphin stadium next year.

“If there is an opportunity for us to play one or two home games here it would be ideal,” Mr Murphy said.

“Or someone in Sydney might think we will bring a game against the Warriors up here.

“The opportunities are pretty much endless.”

Redcliffe Dolphins are one of the teams in the running for the next NRL licence.

Mr Robinson said the Warriors would only support that move.

“We are here to work together,” he said.

“If the Dolphins got an opportunity to join the NRL we would give them as much help as possible.”