Newsletter #1
Welcome From The Club
Welcome to the very first edition of our Gympie Devils newsletter for 2026! Consider this your inside look at everything happening across the club — from our senior sides to our internationals and mini mods, game development activities, and the ongoing improvements at Jack Stokes Oval.
We also want to use this space to shine a light on the people who make this club tick — our sponsors, our players, our referees, and our incredible volunteers. This club would not exist without your contribution, and we don’t take that for granted.
The committee’s focus for 2026 is clear: improve our club culture and become the leading sports organisation in the Gympie Regional community. We hold ourselves and our members to a high standard of behaviour, and we are committed to supporting everyone in understanding what that looks like on and off the field.
We hope this gives you a real sense of where we’re at, where we’re going, and what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of the Devils family.
Pre-Season & Season So Far
Pre-season kicked off in early January and the response from our playing groups has been really encouraging. Numbers grew steadily throughout, and we headed into the season in a comfortable position.
Unfortunately, the club had to make the tough call not to proceed with a women’s team in 2026. This decision wasn’t taken lightly, and it will be reviewed each year. The future is bright — we have a strong contingent of junior female players having a lot of fun and success in their competitions, and we hope to see them come through the grades over the next few years.
The Season Begins!
Pre-season trials against Hervey Bay gave both senior squads solid preparation, and with three rounds now done, the season is well and truly underway. There have been some highs and a few tough lessons along the way, but coaches Daryl Fitzgerald and Rex Carney are confident this is just the beginning of a strong 2026 for both sides.
In our internationals space, the juniors have completed their grading games and played Round 1 of the season. The competition then had a break for school holidays and Anzac Day, with Round 2 kicking off on May 1 and 2.
Internationals Update
In our internationals program, we’re fielding sides across multiple age groups this year:
U13 Boys
U13 Girls
U14 Boys
U15 Boys
U16 Boys
U17 Girls
All images were taken and supplied by Carneys Media.
The Season Ahead
Key Dates to Save
Mark these home games in your calendar and come down to Jack Stokes Oval to cheer on your Senior Devils! Junior home game schedules will be added as draws are released.
Keep an eye on our social media pages for updates as the season progresses. There’s nothing better than a packed Jack Stokes Oval — come down and make some noise for your Devils! 😈
Coach Spotlight - Daryl Fitzgerald “Fitzy”
Each edition we’ll be putting someone from our club in the spotlight. This month, we’d like to introduce Daryl Fitzgerald, our Senior Head Coach.
Fitzy is a Sunshine Coast rugby league legend who enjoyed his time in the professional rugby league system before playing 17 seasons on the Sunshine Coast. With five grand final wins under his belt, he was named in the Sunshine Coast Rugby League Team of the Century (1907–2007), honouring his outstanding contribution to the game.
A Quick Chat with Fitzy
Favourite moment in footy? Winning the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League 2000 premiership.
What are you most looking forward to this season? Continuing to build on club culture and grow the club. I’m really enjoying the experience in my coaching role.
Favourite team or player? Parramatta Eels — and my favourite player is Brad Henderson.
Pre-game ritual? I would always go for a swim before my games.
Ever Thought About Refereeing?
Looking to get involved in footy, build valuable skills, and get paid doing it? There’s never been a better time to put your hand up and become a referee with the Gympie Devils.
Why Be a Referee?
Refereeing is one of the best ways to stay connected to the game you love — while picking up skills that go well beyond the footy field. You’ll develop:
Confidence and leadership
Communication skills under pressure
Fitness and game awareness
A deeper understanding of rugby league
It’s also a genuine opportunity for young people to earn money while staying active — with real pathways to higher levels of the game.
From One of Our Own
We asked Ethan Hildebrandt, one of our local referees, what the experience has been like:
“Being a referee is a great way to stay involved in the game while building confidence, fitness, and leadership skills. You’re right in the middle of the action, making important decisions under pressure and learning how to communicate clearly and stay calm when things get heated.
Reffing keeps me fit because I’m constantly running and reading the play, and it also helps you understand the game on a deeper level. It’s a solid way for young people to earn money while staying active, and there are real pathways to higher levels — even officiating in the NRL.
Overall, being a referee builds character, resilience, and respect both on and off the field.”
— Ethan Hildebrandt, Gympie Devils Referee
How to Get Started
If you’re 13 or older, you’re eligible to become a referee. Simply reach out to the SCGRALRA Referee Co-ordinator at the Devils, who will walk you through the process. You’ll complete referee courses and workshops, with ongoing support every step of the way.
Ready to get involved? Contact the club and ask to speak to the SCGRALRA Co-ordinator — they’ll get you started.
Sponsor Spotlight
The Gympie Devils would not exist without the generous support of our sponsors. This season we’re proud to have some incredible long-standing businesses backing our club, as well as some exciting new faces. We’d like to take a moment to say a proper thank you.
Gympie RSL - 7th Consecutive Year
2026 marks an incredible 7th consecutive year of partnership with Gympie RSL — and we couldn’t be more grateful. Their ongoing support plays a huge role in helping our senior teams take the field each season, and it’s a commitment we don’t take for granted.
Corbet's Group - Major Sponsor
As a family-owned business with over 40 years’ experience, Corbet’s Group has built a strong reputation for innovation, reliability, and safety across a range of industries. From heavy haulage and transport to plant and equipment hire, Corbet’s plays a key role in supporting major projects both locally and beyond.
Riversun Developments - Major Sponsor
Riversun Developments is a family-owned company with over 15 years’ experience creating high-quality homes and estates across the region. Driven by a commitment to accountability, responsibility, and community, Riversun is a trusted name in local development.
Spent Group - New Sponsor
Spent Group came on board this year as a Seniors Sponsor, providing our players with branded bucket hats that the team and supporters can wear with pride. We asked founder Kayleb why he got involved with the Gympie Devils. Here’s what he had to say:
“Spent is built around a simple idea — it’s how you spent it. Whether that’s your day, your sport, or your time, we’re all about backing people who give it everything they’ve got until they’re spent.
Supporting the Devils was a no-brainer for us. They represent community, effort, and the kind of environment we want to be part of and help grow.
The bucket hats we created together are just a small way to bring that to life — something the team and supporters can wear with pride and show people what they care about. We’re stoked to be involved and looking forward to the season ahead.”
— Kayleb, Spent Group
What’s been happening at Jack Stokes?
A lot of work has gone into Jack Stokes Oval over the off-season, and the results are starting to show. Here’s a snapshot of what’s been done — and what’s coming next.
Recent Improvements
New storage container and signage — keeping the oval looking sharp and organised.
Concrete sin bin area — a great upgrade for match day operations. A big thanks to Yeah Boi Concreting and Quickwrite Pressure Washing for their work.
Fencing and bunker works — completed with the fantastic help of our Skill Centre crew. Big thank you to everyone who gave up their time.
Field maintenance — recently completed by Roberts Turf, keeping the playing surface in great shape.
What’s Coming Next
The work doesn’t stop there. We have some exciting future projects on the horizon for Jack Stokes Oval:
Further concreting around the tower area
Permanent toilets on the hill — a long-awaited upgrade!
Lighting upgrade — we currently have a grant application in progress, and we’re hopeful for a positive outcome.
There are bigger infrastructure goals on the horizon too, and if you’d like to be part of making them happen — whether that’s time, skills, or resources — we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at devilssponsorship@outlook.com.
Let’s Go Devils!