Dolphins make a lasting impact across the Top End

Before a ball was even kicked in Darwin, the Dolphins’ Game Development and Community team had already made their mark.

Spanning Darwin and Katherine, the week-long trip saw the club connect with thousands across the Top End, delivering school programs, community visits and grassroots rugby league sessions in a powerful lead-in to Friday night’s clash.

The journey began in Darwin with a strong focus on connection and care. The team cooked breakfast for Salvation Army patrons, before visiting the Darwin Youth Detention Centre and Darwin Children’s Hospital, using the power of sport to inspire, uplift and engage.

From there, it was straight into schools, with visits to Henbury School, St Paul’s and SEDA College, continuing the Dolphins’ commitment to education, inclusion and opportunity.

But it didn’t stop there.

Taking the Game to Katherine

The Dolphins then hit the road to Katherine, bringing rugby league directly into the heart of the community.

A visit to the local Katherine Hospital set the tone before the team rolled into rugby league sessions, delivering hands-on coaching, wellbeing education sessions and community engagement activities. Dolphins players Daniel Saifiti and LJ Nonu joined in, training alongside local participants and helping create unforgettable moments for young athletes.

Nicole Manison, Vice President Government Relations and External Affairs at Tamboran Resources, emphasised the importance of rugby league in the region, describing it as a central part of life in Katherine.

“Rugby League is such an important sport in the Northern Territory and when you come out to a community like Katherine, it is the lifeblood of this town,” she said.

Manison added that the Dolphins’ presence had a significant impact on the community, particularly through their genuine engagement with locals.

“So when the Dolphins come to town, it really means something to everybody here… they’ve made such an incredible effort, putting in so much time working with the local community and helping inspire these young kids.”

She also noted Tamboran Resources was proud to support the Northern Territory tour.

The following day saw a full schedule across Katherine, including visits to Tindal Base, Katherine High School and the School of the Air, ensuring no corner of the region was left untouched.

The visit came at a crucial time for the community following recent flooding across the region.

A teacher from the Katherine School of the Air said Term 1 had been particularly challenging, with the floods impacting students and families across the Top End.

“We had a bit of a rough Term 1 with the floods, so having something like this with the Dolphins coming to visit our town really boosts morale,” they said.

The visit carried even greater significance given the unique challenges faced by remote students.

“Because we are so geographically isolated, any type of connection like this is really special for our families.”

They added that the experience left a lasting impact on students.

“For our students, having the Dolphins come to visit makes them feel special and really motivated.”

After the return to Darwin, the focus shifted to the future of the game, with a Northern Territory female pathways session highlighting the next generation of talent.

As the week built towards game day, the Dolphins’ presence only grew stronger.

Thursday’s Captain’s Run became a community event in itself, with schools in attendance, before a major gala day brought together primary and secondary students for a celebration of rugby league.

Local junior clubs, including Darwin Brothers, Palmerston Raiders and Livingstone Jets, were also visited, with young players taking part in Under 8s and Under 12s mini league games, soaking up the experience of being part of the Dolphins’ Top End takeover.

The week wrapped up with a fan signing session, giving supporters the chance to meet their heroes and cap off an unforgettable few days.

The week wrapped up with a fan signing session, giving supporters the chance to meet their heroes, a fitting finish to a trip that saw the Dolphins not just visit the Top End, but become truly Territory-owned through connection, resilience and a shared sense of belonging.