Broncos NRL star Reece Walsh launches YouTube channel Reece TV

He is the Broncos’ golden boy and one of the most bankable stars in Australian sport. Now Reece Walsh is ready to take fans behind-the-scenes like never before, as he launches his own YouTube channel.

He is the Brisbane Broncos’ golden boy and one of the most bankable stars in Australian sport.

Now Reece Walsh is ready to take fans behind-the-scenes like never before, with Brisbane’s $5 million man launching a YouTube channel that could see him become Australia’s version of NFL legend Tom Brady.

In an exclusive interview with this masthead, Walsh opened up about the pressures of fame and fortune, his desire to be a role model and the four-year-old daughter that represents “my world”.

That world will be captured in all its raw simplicity from next Sunday, when Walsh officially unveils ‘Reece TV’ - a dedicated YouTube channel documenting the life and times of an NRL superstar.

Brisbane Broncos Reece Walsh is about to start his own youtube channel, called Reece TV - Picture: Supplied

“It’s a chance to have some fun and show people the real me,” Walsh said.

“Hopefully this gives people a better understanding of who I am, and what life is like for me off the field.”

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys famously described Walsh as the “Justin Bieber of rugby league”.

At 22, Walsh is already, in a social-media sense, the most popular player in the NRL. The Broncos fullback has 528,000 followers on Instagram, more than the NRL’s No.1 player Nathan Cleary (442,000) and Queensland Origin Dally M star Kalyn Ponga (370,000).

But amid the ‘Rockstar Reece’ narrative, Walsh will use his YouTube series to showcase a salt-of-the-earth, blue-collar kid from Nerang who finds simple pleasures in golf, gaming, home renovating and caring for his daughter.

Brisbane Broncos Reece Walsh is about to start his own youtube channel called Reece TV - Reece with golfer Cameron Smith Picture Supplied

A year in the making, Walsh has filmed a six-episode mini-series. The behind-the-scenes footage will feature candid interviews with fellow sporting stars, such as golfing sensation Cameron Smith, plus never-before-seen moments that capture Walsh’s journey from teenage whizkid to Broncos star and young father navigating life in the spotlight.

“I’ve always wanted to find a way to share more of who I really am and connect with people beyond just footy,” Walsh said.

“This is just the beginning. I’ve got big plans for what’s to come, and I’m pumped to keep building this channel and give my fans a chance to see the real me.”

Who is the real Reece? It’s a question even Walsh admits he has had to grapple with at times given the turbulence of the past two years as he hit the NRL like a promotional tsunami.

With his good looks, blistering talent and rockstar charisma, the Walsh tidal wave took off, the fullback sensation sweeping the Broncos to the NRL grand final in 2023, only for Brisbane to fall four minutes short of a stunning premiership triumph.

Then came the big wipeout for Walsh. He endured a nightmare 2024 campaign. There was his sickening concussion in the State of Origin opener, plus a facial fracture and wrist surgery that ended his season early as Brisbane crashed out of finals contention, finishing 12th.

Brisbane’s fortunes could have easily been a metaphor for Walsh’s personal life as he juggled his love for football with attention he never expected to receive.

During Brisbane’s grand-final charge in 2023, Reece Mania hit overdrive. He needed a personal security escort to his car after being greeted by a well-intentioned teenage female fan sitting in the tray of his ute holding flowers.

“I wouldn’t say it’s hard to manage,” Walsh says of dealing with NRL fame and fortune.

“The main thing for me is being a good role model for my daughter and my fans and being a good person.

“When I am home with my daughter and family, I don’t spend too much scrolling on my phone for hours.

“I have a really strong family and team beside me that keeps me grounded and accountable.

“The people I see and engage with, they are really supportive of me.

“With this channel, I will just enjoy showing snippets of who I am and what I get up to.

“I’ve done a series with Cameron Smith, so there’s some golf stuff in there. It’s exciting. There’s some things in there that people wouldn’t expect.

“I want to share a bit more about myself and the things I like to do outside of footy.”

(L-R) Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy, Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan, Tom Brady and Reece Walsh. Picture: Joshua Scott/Cwolf Media

Walsh’s channel could revolutionise Australian sporting fan experiences. He will offer his own gear to fans and encourage supporters to share content, bringing an NRL superstar within touching distance.

“There’s a level of intrigue around Reece, and with that comes a lot of speculation - most of it wildly inaccurate,” said Britt Prince, Director of Prince Sports & Entertainment who has helped Walsh bring the channel to life.

“There’s a clear appetite from fans for more than just game-day content - they want to know the person behind the play.

“We’ve seen the rise of athletes as creators in the US, where platforms like YouTube have become powerful tools for storytelling, brand building, and authentic connection.

“Reece is part of that next wave in Australia — giving fans a front-row seat to his world.”

Walsh says the inspiration came from his own fascination with the lives of American sporting stars and the power of leveraging social-media channels to help others.

NFL icon Brady, who met Walsh and the Broncos last year during his trip to Australia, has a staggering 15.2 million followers. Walsh also is a regular viewer of NBA star Devin Booker, who has 5.6 million followers.

NFL legend Tom Brady (right) has over 15.2 million followers. Picture: Getty Images

“I love seeing the way Tom Brady has gone about his channel,” Walsh said.

“Even small things he is doing with his family, little giveaways he does, it’s pretty cool.

“Another one I enjoy is Devin Booker. He will go to a local community or basketball game and give away his shoes to kids. It’s pretty amazing to see the effect he has on people and I get that same enjoyment out of seeing kids smile.

“I want this to be genuine. I don’t want to do silly stuff just to get clicks. I want it to be unique and authentic. I won’t change for the camera, this will be the real me and showing the things I enjoy doing.

“For example, I’ve found a real enjoyment in playing golf and I’m helping my dad with some projects around the home.

“I love the idea of renovation and seeing ideas in my head come to life, so that’s the sort of stuff I’ll be putting on the channel.”

A central person in his life is four-year-old daughter Leila. Walsh was just 18 when he became a dad. Rather than shun the responsibility of fatherhood at such a young age, Walsh says it has been the making of him.

Reece Walsh and his daughter Leila. Picture: Broncos Digital

“She is massive, she is my world,” he said.

“She is the reason why I want to work really hard in what I do.

“Even just to show her that if you dream of big things, don’t let somebody else you can’t achieve it.

“If you work hard in life, you can get whatever you want.

“In saying that, she brings so much joy to my life, she makes me smile every single day, whether it’s her kicking the footy or playing with the dogs at home or rousing at her pop.

“I enjoy everything we are doing as dad and daughter. We will have learnings in life and I’m blessed to experience life with her, share things and guide her on her journey as she goes through life.

“I can’t wait for this channel to evolve. I’m going where the wind takes us at the moment.”

Originally published as Broncos NRL star Reece Walsh launches YouTube channel Reece TV