A passionate home crowd, a 100-game milestone and a sea of pink jerseys made July 25 a memorable day for the Beaudesert Kingfishers as the club celebrated Desree Fogarty’s 100th game and the continued rise of women’s rugby league.
Fogarty’s remarkable achievement is the latest chapter in the club’s growing women’s rugby league story, celebrating her 100th game surrounded by teammates, family and supporters at the Kingies Women in League round.
An original Kingie
Fogarty was part of the Beaudesert Kingfishers’ inaugural women’s team in 2013, making her debut as an 18-year-old.
Although the club was unable to field a women’s side the following season, her passion for rugby league never faded.
She spent two seasons with Jimboomba Thunder before stepping away from the game in 2017 while pregnant with her first daughter Destanie.
Just three months after giving birth, Fogarty returned to the ‘bird cage’ and has proudly worn the Kingfishers jersey ever since.
She credits her cousin Shania Paulson for inspiring her love of rugby league after growing up surrounded by the Kingfishers community.
“My weekends as a kid were living at the footy fields with my mob, watching our cousins and friends play,” Fogarty said.
“I loved watching her play against all the boys and smashing them – she got me into football.”
A memorable milestone
Family and friends marked Fogarty’s milestone by wearing personalised shirts featuring her face, creating a fitting tribute to one of the club’s star players.
Despite the Kingfishers’ 22-18 loss to St Brendan’s, Fogarty said the day meant the world to her.
“To play my 100th game at home on Mununjali Country is just amazing, especially in front of our beautiful mob, friends and community,” she said.
“It’s just so incredible how big the women league is…it’s getting bigger and bigger every year everywhere.”
Fogarty encouraged anyone thinking about playing rugby league to give it a go.
“I promise you’ll love it, especially the hits and showing them how bloody tough you are,” she said.
“Don’t be afraid to come down next year and join us – we would love to have you on our team.”
Kingfishers’ women’s captain Maree Blow said watching the female game continue to grow while inspiring the next generation made her proud.
“I love being part of this team, helping to inspire the future women of our club and shape our next generation leaders,” she said.
