Broncos and Queensland utility Rona Peters joins Runaway Bay from Burleigh Bears

Queensland representative utility Rona Peters has made a shock move away from four-time South East Queensland women’s rugby league defending premiers Burleigh to spearhead an upstart Runaway Bay squad.

QUEENSLAND representative utility Rona Peters has made a shock move away from four-time South East Queensland women’s rugby league defending premiers Burleigh to spearhead an upstart Runaway Bay squad.

The 30-year-old, along with her partner Jadene Kini and former Bears teammate Rebekah Shelford, approached Bay about creating a team with the intent of growing the game on the Gold Coast.

TWEED’S MARQUEE SIGNING

“I just thought I have achieved what I have achieved with Burleigh and that it was good to give back to those girls that had missed out on opportunities,” said Peters, who was also part of the NRLW-winning Brisbane outfit.

Rona Peters takes a run for the Broncos during the NRLW grand final against the Roosters. Picture: AAP Image

“It was just a conversation between me, my partner and (Shelford) and they thought it was a good idea to push forward with it to sort of go out of my comfort zone and lead for those girls that had missed opportunities.

“You have only got Burleigh really and the comp is pretty much in Brisbane so I thought why not try to grow the game a little bit with a few more clubs.

“It’s only good for footy itself and for the girls that are wanting to get out there and give it a go as well.”

Peters at this stage will captain-coach the side, having attained level one qualification, but is open to having a mentor come in and take the reins.

It is unclear yet whether Bay will slot into division one alongside Burleigh and potentially fellow newcomers Tweed Heads.

Rona Peters in action for Burleigh against Wests last year. Picture: Jerad Williams

“That’s what we’re wanting to do, to go for division one but at the end of the day it’s about growing the game and if (division two) is where they want to start us, then div one, div two, same-same,” Peters said.

“It’s just about trying to build the girls’ confidence up and try to get them to that div one level, if that’s what they think these girls aren’t capable of. That’s where we want these girls to be.”

Peters admitted there would be “mixed emotions” if a showdown with her old team eventuated, while Bears coach Tahnee Norris embraced the versatile star’s move.

“Some of the girls have moved into other teams on the Gold Coast to try to expand the women’s game, which I am fully supportive of,” Norris said.