Several talented young rugby league players and a key development manager from the Redcliffe Dolphins have earned selection for Queensland’s important Under 17 City representative teams.
Statewide Pathway Event
The selections are for the upcoming Under 17 City versus Country matches, recognised as the first step in the Queensland Rugby League’s representative pathway for players eligible for State of Origin. These fixtures are more than just games; they are part of a comprehensive selection experience.
The chosen players and performance staff will gather for a four-day camp involving training sessions and educational programmes covering nutrition, career options, and understanding the core values associated with the Queensland Maroons identity.
The matches provide a platform for emerging talent identified through the Harvey Norman Under 17 girls’ and Cyril Connell Cup boys’ competitions. The girls’ City versus Country game is scheduled to kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 16 April, followed by the boys’ match at 1:00 p.m. Both games will be held at Totally Workwear Stadium.
Dolphins Stars Selected
The Redcliffe Dolphins club is prominently featured in the City squad selections. Sinalei Tupu, an impressive fullback from the Dolphins’ Under-17 Women’s team known for her scoring ability and strong defence, has been named in the 2025 squad.
Bond Bradley, a winger who played a crucial role in the Redcliffe Dolphins’ 2024 Cyril Connell Cup grand final victory, was selected for the 2025 Under-17 City male team, with his selection announced on 4 April, 2025.
Their selections follow previous honours for clubmates like Lilliana Nati, who was part of a notable group of five Dolphins selected for the 2024 Under-17 City girls squad. This indicates the club’s consistent development strength.
Club Commitment to Development
These player selections highlight the ongoing success of the Redcliffe Dolphins’ focus on nurturing local talent. Steve Crawford, the club’s Recruitment and Development Manager, plays an instrumental part in this process through talent identification and player development initiatives. His contributions extend beyond club duties, including facilitating equipment donations to clubs in Papua New Guinea and previously co-developing a rugby league programme at Redcliffe State High School in 2016.
Reflecting his expertise, Crawford has also been appointed as an Assistant Coach for one of the representative teams involved in the City versus Country programme. The Redcliffe Dolphins club, established in 1947 and a multiple-time Queensland Cup winner, continues demonstrating its commitment to fostering rugby league talent from the grassroots level upwards.
Published Date 07-April-2025