BUILT IN THE FAR NORTH.
FNQ Pearls brings young women together through rugby league, culture and community.
WHERE IT STARTED
FNQ Pearls started in 2022 with a simple idea - bring girls from across Far North Queensland together and give them the opportunity to play at the Queensland Murri Carnival.
Since then, the Pearls have grown into much more than a team that comes together once a year. Players, coaches, Elders, families and supporters all play a part in what we've built.
Doing hard things to inspire has been with us from the beginning. It's how we want our girls to approach footy, but also how they carry themselves away from it.
SUPPORTERS
Experienced Rugby League Manager and Coach
Veteran Junior Rugby League Coach
Our Elders in Residence
PAULINE
MOORCROFT
Pauline Moorcroft is a dedicated and experienced rugby league manager and coach, deeply committed to nurturing young talent in the FNQ region. With a personal connection to the sport through her family, Pauline has been actively involved in coaching and managing girls' rugby league teams, including the Mareeba Girls Teams (U13, U15, U17) and the FNQ Pearls. Under her guidance, the U17s Girls team clinched victory in the 2023 Cairns Competition.
As a certified NRL Community Coach for the 13-15s and 16-18s age groups, Pauline blends her technical know-how with hands-on experience, making her an effective and inspiring leader. Her professional role as an A/Travel Manager for Queensland Health further sharpens her organisational and leadership skills, allowing her to manage teams with precision and care.
Pauline is passionate about fostering the next generation of rugby league players, and her strengths as a manager and coach are evident in her ability to inspire, organise, and lead with both expertise and enthusiasm.
BEN
MITCHELL
Ben Mitchell is a seasoned rugby league coach with two decades of experience, specialising in guiding junior teams from U8s through to U16s. His extensive coaching credentials include Community Coaching (16-18), concussion management, international games coaching, League Safe, and modified games coaching.
Ben's expertise has seen him take on roles as assistant coach for the
FNQ Girls U17s and as the head coach for the QMC FNQ Pearls U17s over the past three years. His commitment to developing young talent has recently earned him the position of head coach for the QLD Indigenous U17s Girls team.
Ben's long-standing dedication and deep understanding of the game make him a highly respected figure in junior rugby league.
ROBERT & GLORIA WARE
Athe (Grandpa) Robert and Aka (Grandma) Gloria Ware are Traditional Elders in Residence for a young women's rugby league team, hailing from the Torres Strait Islands. Married for over 40 years, they offer cultural guidance, emotional support, and spiritual counsel, helping players embrace their heritage and boost their confidence.
Athe Robert, who named the team the FNQ Pearls, symbolises the team's Indigenous roots and the dedication needed to succeed. Their work also plays a crucial role in preserving Torres Strait Island traditions for future generations, highlighting the resilience of Indigenous communities in Australia.