Kinetic kick-starts NQ Sistas’ next step towards NRLW dream

When a team of 22 teenagers from North Queensland travelled to Sydney in September to take on the Tarsha Gale Cup winning Roosters Indigenous Academy team, it was the first step in a remarkable journey.

Following the trip of a lifetime, a contingent of eight NQ Sistas players have now been offered the chance to earn a spot in the North Sydney Bears team for the very same competition in 2024.

With the competition a renowned pathway to the NRLW, the three-month train and trial program meant team manager Lauren Morrison and the eight players would need to relocate to Sydney at short notice.

Kinetic jumped at the opportunity to continue its support of the NQ Sistas squad of 16- and 17-year olds, donating $30,000 to kick-start their fundraising campaign to further their careers and dreams of playing professional rugby league.

Team manager Lauren Morrison, whose daughter Bronte is taking part in the trial program, said Kinetic’s support had been absolutely amazing.

“Every experience the girls had on the trip to Sydney was amazing and to now have the opportunity to bring eight girls down for two months to trial for a spot in the Bears 2024 squad is overwhelming,” she said.

“This is truly the chance for them to pursue their dreams and create a pathway to the NRLW for young Indigenous female footballers coming from remote areas of Queensland.

“It would not have been possible without the support of the community and our partners like Kinetic who have never hesitated to help both financially and with transport and now work experience.

“Every time the girls see a Kinetic bus drive past at home in Townsville or down in Sydney, they point it out as they’ve had such a positive experience.”

Bronte said the team was having an incredible time in the Harbour city.

“Being in Sydney is giving us the opportunity to turn a dream that I never thought I would achieve into reality,” she said.

With the girls planning ahead for careers once they finish school and to support their football, they are also taking the opportunity to develop other life skills while staying in Sydney.

Having a keen interest in pursuing careers within the transport industry, the eight Year 11 and 12 students will also be completing work experience with Kinetic.

Lauren says this experience will provide them further insights into the careers of mechanics, drivers, and support office roles with some of the team already expressing interest in working for Kinetic in the future.

“It’s our aim for the girls to undertake traineeships and school-based apprenticeships in Sydney next year should they be successful in making the 2024 Bears squad, and this practical experience will give them a fantastic grounding for that next step,” she said.

Kinetic’s People and Culture Manager for Northern Michelle Ryan said seeing the girls’ journey and growth has been inspiring.

“Everyone at Kinetic is so excited to be along for the ride with the NQ Sistas and their dedication and commitment is second to none,” she said.

“They put 100 per cent into training several times per week, studying, undertaking work experience, and continuing with fundraising BBQs every weekend in Townsville.

“We know this effort will see the girls achieve success in all areas and we are looking forward to seeing how far the squad can go in 2024.

“The entire Kinetic team wishes Lauren and the girls all the best with the trials and hope they gain valuable experience during their work placement with Kinetic.”

Kinetic is also a partner of Townsville’s Garbutt Magpies sporting and cultural association, which this year received a Queensland Reconciliation Award for its positive sporting and cultural activities in the community.

The company this year launched its Moving the Mob initiative, a First Nations trainee bus driver program introduced to promote greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation within Kinetic’s workforce and across the transport industry.

These initiatives are inspired by Kinetic mission to enhance the communities in which it lives and operates, its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, and a sustainability strategy targeting a First Nations employment rate of four per cent by 2030.

Further enquiries
Steve Cadzow
Manager - Media & Communications (Northern)
0428 127 147
stevec@wearekinetic.com