Mother and daughter debut together for country footy club

In the small Australian town of Moranbah, nestled among coal mines, the local rugby league club serves as the vibrant heart of the community. On a recent Thursday night, the women's team, the Moranbah Miners, laced up their boots for training, undeterred by long work shifts or the evening chill.

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When I first moved here, I started with footy and that's how I made all my connections, made all my friends.

This season marked a special debut for mother and daughter duo Gwen and Mah Te Hiko, who played together for the A-Grade women's side. Mah, 18, who moved to the region from New Zealand last year, found her footing and made crucial connections through the club. "When I first moved here, I started with footy and that's how I made all my connections, made all my friends," she shared.

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Majority of the times, it's parents watching their kids, but when I play with my mum … I'm watching her and it just makes me so proud, seeing her run on the field alongside me.

Playing alongside her mother has forged a unique bond. "Majority of the times, it's parents watching their kids, but when I play with my mum … I'm watching her and it just makes me so proud, seeing her run on the field alongside me," Mah said. Their debut game together was a success, with the Moranbah Miners securing a 14-point victory over the Mackay Souths Sharks.

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That was a good day. We won that day as well, so it was really cool.

The Moranbah Miners Rugby League Club is a true family affair. Coach Pani Rupapere, also from New Zealand, has her entire family involved. While she plays for the women's team, her youngest children participate in junior leagues, and her husband and older son play for the men's teams. "I don't know what it is about footy that keeps bringing me back," Pani reflected, noting the deep-rooted tradition of the sport within her family.

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I don't know what it is about footy that keeps bringing me back.