Dolphins (NRL)

The Dolphins are a professional rugby league football team based in the Redcliffe Peninsula area of the Moreton Bay Region, Queensland, that competes in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL). Launched as a bid for inclusion into the NRL by Queensland Cup side Redcliffe Dolphins in 2020, the Dolphins were granted a separate licence in October 2021 to compete as the national league's 17th side from the 2023 season onwards. It is the fourth NRL team in the state of Queensland, and the second in the capital city of Brisbane, alongside the Brisbane Broncos. The Dolphins are the first team to join the NRL competition since the Gold Coast Titans joined in 2007.

History

Coinciding with the opening of a new grandstand at Moreton Daily Stadium, (known as Kayo Stadium from 7 December 2022), the Redcliffe Dolphins launched a bid on 22 September 2020 for the inclusion of a separate new team in the national competition. On 13 October 2021, the 17th NRL licence was granted to the Dolphins after they competed for it against two other consortiums (the Brisbane Firehawks and Brisbane Jets) also linked to existing Queensland Cup clubs. Wayne Bennett was signed as the inaugural NRL coach. On 26 November 2021, the Dolphins made their first major signing for their 2023 entry, recruiting Felise Kaufusi from the Melbourne Storm. Not long after, he was joined by Storm team mates, Jesse Bromwich and his brother Kenny Bromwich. Although separately licensed, the Dolphins NRL venture is owned by the Redcliffe Dolphins and is their fully professional spin-off club.

In December 2021, it was confirmed that QRL team the Central Queensland Capras had secured a full affiliation deal with the Dolphins. The Capras and Dolphins deal should see up to six Dolphins NRL players compete for the Capras in the Queensland Cup competition each week. In May 2022. the PNG Hunters announced a strategic pathways partnership with the Dolphins that includes full NRL pre-season participation for four young Papua New Guinean players, beginning in the PNGNRL Digicel Cup, through to the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Rugby League state competition and then directly into the Australian NRL system.

On 7 November 2022, inaugural pre-season training for 2023 began. On 10 November, the NRL officially released the 2023 fixtures. This included the Dolphins' first NRL match against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday 5 March 2023 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Name and colours

The Dolphins retained the red and white of their Queensland Cup counterparts, with gold added to the colour scheme to avoid a clash with NRL club St. George Illawarra Dragons. Otherwise, the 'Redcliffe' name is not being used in an effort to broaden appeal nationally beyond the local region.

After a fan vote in July 2022, "Phinny" the Dolphin was confirmed as the club's NRL mascot.

Jerseys

On 27 October 2021, the Dolphins unveiled a heritage jersey design, inspired by the Redcliffe Dolphins jersey from the 1980s. The design is predominantly red, with white sleeves and a gold trim. On 2 October 2022, the debut home jersey design for 2023 was unveiled just prior to kick-off of the 2022 NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The inaugural away jersey was released on 11 November. Otherwise, the team training shirt is predominantly black in colour.

File:Dolphins 2023 Jersey Home.png, 2023 Home Jersey
File:Dolphins 2023 Jersey Away.png, 2023 Away Jersey

Kit sponsors and manufacturers

Players

2023 Signings

Pre-season training commenced 7 November 2022, with 7 December designated as the inaugural open training session for fans and the general public to attend. The Dolphins' first NRL match is scheduled for Sunday 5 March 2023 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Home grounds

The Dolphins plan to play most of their twelve home games at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with a few other matches at Sunshine Coast Stadium and Moreton Daily Stadium (now Kayo Stadium) which will also serve as a training and administration base. The redevelopment of Browne Park in Rockhampton may also see occasional Dolphins' games at that venue. On 7 December 2022, it was announced that Moreton Daily Stadium will now be known as Kayo Stadium.

Image:Suncorp Stadium Brisbane Australia 03.jpg, Suncorp Stadium entry
Image:Suncorp Stadium Brisbane Australia 02.jpg, Suncorp Stadium sign
Image:Suncorp Stadium Brisbane Australia 01.jpg, Suncorp Stadium interior
Image:Moreton Daily Stadium signs.jpg, Moreton Daily signage (now Kayo Stadium)
Image:Dolphins rugby league sign on wall.jpg, Moreton Daily Stadium wall (now Kayo Stadium)
Image:Moreton Daily Stadium view.jpg, Moreton Daily Stadium (now Kayo Stadium)

Further notes

References

{{Rugby League in Queensland

2023 establishments in Australia
Rugby clubs established in 2023
Expansion of the National Rugby League
National Rugby League clubs
Redcliffe Dolphins
Rugby league teams in Brisbane
Proposed sports teams
Proposals in Australia