Dolphins head north to Moranbah mine
Thanks to Anglo American, the Dolphins spent last week in Moranbah, gaining a firsthand look at life in the mining industry. They connected with local workers, students and rugby league fans.
The visit took players underground at Moranbah North Mine, where they experienced the scale, technology and teamwork required to operate one of Queensland’s major mining operations.
For many players, it was their first time underground, providing a rare and unforgettable opportunity to see firsthand what life is like beneath the surface at Moranbah North Mine.
Dolphin Brad Schneider said the experience gave the group a new appreciation for the work carried out by mine workers every day.
"You don't really know what to expect unless you go down there and actually see what it's like," Schneider said.
"It is hard work going down there. I was only down there for two hours, but I couldn't imagine being down there for 12. It takes a special sort of person to do that sort of work."
Moranbah North Mine Longwall Operations Manager Matt Jurak said there were clear similarities between life underground and life on the football field.
"Footy teams are high-performance teams that rely on everyone to pull together and make the right decisions and work together to get the job done," Jurak said.
"There's a lot of similarities between what they do on a footy field and what our people do underground in trying to get the coal out of the ground safely."
The visit formed part of Anglo American's ongoing commitment to supporting its workforce and the Moranbah community, creating opportunities for connection, wellbeing and recognition. Through conversations with workers both onsite and in the community, Dolphins players shared insights into resilience, teamwork and performing under pressure, while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of life in the mining industry.
The visit also included a stop at Moranbah State School and Moranbah East State School where Dolphins players ran a clinic and shared their experiences with local students ahead of the school's upcoming rugby league commitments.
Head of HPE Lauren King said opportunities like this were invaluable for regional communities.
"For Moranbah, being a regional town, these opportunities don't come by all the time, so we're very fortunate and I know the kids really appreciate having events like this to attend," King said.
Among those excited to see the Dolphins was nine-year-old Lane Ross, who waited at Moranbah Airport despite weather delays to meet his favourite players.
"I came here because I wanted to meet Dolphins players and get pictures with them," Lane said.
The trip highlighted the strong connection between regional Queensland communities, rugby league and industries that rely on resilience, teamwork and hard work.
From underground mine tours to school visits and community engagement, the Dolphins left Moranbah with a greater appreciation for the grit, discipline and teamwork demonstrated by mine workers every day. The visit celebrated the strong connection between rugby league and regional Queensland communities, highlighting how sport and industry can bring people together through shared values of resilience, pride and mateship
