Tamika Upton

Tamika Upton (born 17 March 1997) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Women's Premiership.[1][2][3][4]

Tamika Upton
Personal information
Born (1997-03-17) 17 March 1997
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Weight64 kg (10 st 1 lb)
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– Brisbane Broncos 7 6 0 0 24
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020 Queensland 1 2 0 0 8
As of 28 November 2020
Source: RLP

Background

Born in Rockhampton, Upton grew up in Central Queensland and first started playing rugby league as a child in Blackwater.[4] She is of Indigenous Australian descent.[5]

Prior to her career as a rugby league player, Upton played touch football.[6] She represented the Australian national side, the Emus, during the 2017 Trans Tasman series.[7] She also served as co-captain of the Queensland Cowboys during the NRL Touch competition in 2017.[8] Upton has also played netball for local Central Queensland team, the Capricorn Claws.[9]

Upton also plays for the Souths Logan Magpies in the Holcim Cup competition and has played for Queensland Country in the Women's National Championships.[3][4]

Playing career

In 2018, she joined the Yeppoon Seagulls' women's side, where she played in five-eighth in the Rockhampton District competition.

2019

On 15 July, Upton signed with the Brisbane Broncos NRL Women's Premiership team.[10] In Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Broncos, starting on the wing in a 14–4 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.[11] On 6 October, she started at fullback in the Broncos' 30–6 Grand Final win over the Dragons.[12]

On 7 October, Upton was named in the Australian team for the 2019 World Cup 9s but withdrew and was replaced by Tarryn Aiken.[13][2]

2020

In February, Upton played for the Broncos at the NRL Nines, where she was named in the Team of the Tournament.[14] In March, Upton joined the Central Queensland Capras in the QRL Women's Premiership and later played for the Souths Logan Magpies in the Holcim Cup.[15]

In Round 1 of the 2020 NRL Women's season, Upton scored a hat-trick in the first half for the Broncos in their win over the New Zealand Warriors at GIO Stadium.[16][17] On 25 October, Upton started at fullback and scored a try in the Broncos' 20–10 Grand Final win over the Sydney Roosters.[18]

On 13 November, Upton made her State of Origin debut for Queensland, scoring two tries in a 24–18 win over New South Wales.[19]

References

  1. Official Telstra Women's Premiership profile of Tamika Upton for Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Broncos. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. Newton, Alicia (9 October 2020) Upton won't say no to rep jerseys again with Maroons, Jillaroos calling, NRL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  3. Walsh, Sean (27 August 2020) A set of six with... Tamika Upton, Souths Logan Magpies. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  4. Edwards, Colleen (31 January 2020) Tamika takes every opportunity in her stride, Queensland Rugby League. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  5. "Indigenous side too slick for TFA All Stars". NRL. 13 February 2015.
  6. Allen, Steph (15 November 2018) Rocky woman returns from touch Origin victorious, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  7. Allen, Steph (3 May 2018) Rocky footy stars defeat Kiwis in Trans Tasman clash, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  8. McKay, Pam (5 April 2017) Upton plays way into Aussie women's open team, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  9. (5 December 2017) Claws name 19-member squad after weekend trials, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  10. "Origin rising star Millie Boyle joins Broncos NRLW". Brisbane Broncos. 15 July 2019.
  11. "NRLW Team List: Round 1 v Dragons". Brisbane Broncos. 10 September 2019.
  12. "Broncos Make Change For NRLW Grand Final". Brisbane Broncos. 6 October 2019.
  13. (7 October 2019) Australian Women's 9s squad, NRL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  14. NRL Nines Perth Team of the Tournament, NRL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  15. "CQ Capras women to play in new statewide comp". The Morning Bulletin. 17 December 2019.
  16. Newton, Alicia (3 October 2020) Tamika Upton takes Broncos to first win, Brisbane Broncos. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  17. McKay, Pam (6 October 2020) Rocky star fires for Broncos NRLW opener, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  18. "Upton, Robinson send Origin message by topping grand final data". NRL. 28 October 2020.
  19. "Queensland Maroons beat New South Wales Blues 24-18". ABC. 13 November 2020.
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