A late‑afternoon sun hangs over Emerson Park as Laura Frassetto‑Lea is momentarily swept up by a group of excited rugby league juniors.
The Valleys Diehards players swarm their mentor with laughter and chatter as Laura is ushered into position by The Courier‑Mail photographer Lyndon Mechielsen.
A consummate professional, Mechielsen knows exactly how to draw natural energy from his subjects — coaxing smiles, movement and joy — while Laura takes it all in her stride.
As the Valleys female coordinator, Laura pours her heart and soul into the role, and the bond between her and the players is instantly clear.
There is an ease, a genuine connection, built on trust, time and care.
Laura is one of hundreds of volunteers from all around the state who was nominated for a category within the 2026 QRL Community Volunteer Awards, proudly presented by Westpac.
Laura was nominated for the Westpac Contribution to the Female Game, an award that recognises an individual whose advocacy, leadership and commitment to being united, positive, inclusive and disciplined has significantly advanced opportunities for women in rugby league.
While Laura missed out to some other strong contenders, the dedicated Valleys volunteer’s work cannot be underestimated.
“I probably spend most of my time on footy. I’m also on the club committee, First Nations committee; I manage a team, and then the female program,” Laura said when asked about her many roles at the club.
“We go from Under 11s all the way through to senior women. I couldn’t actually put it into hours.
“Leading up to footy season there is a lot of prep. I probably put in more hours than I do for my university (studies).
“I genuinely have a passion for rugby league; my family is full of footy players, from my dad and brothers who played NRL to my little sister who currently plays. I would love to play myself but I'm definitely past my prime so this is how I give back to my community and stay connected to the game I love.”
Laura certainly isn’t complaining about the time she puts in, as she “absolutely loves” seeing the progress of girls’ and women’s players involved in the club’s Under 11, Under 15, Under 17 and Reserve and Premier grade teams.
“I feel like the culture that we have at Valleys, we have developed such a good girls’ program, everyone just works well together,” she said.
“You just have to look at these girls now, they all love each other.”
With close to 120 registered female players, the passionate volunteer is playing a crucial role in helping participants transition into the game from other sports like netball, dancing, swimming and touch football.
“Girls just want to play footy,” Laura said.
The group includes numerous players from the Torres Strait Islands who are attending school in Brisbane.
Laura regularly goes the extra mile — quite literally — picking players up from school and transporting them to training sessions and games, ensuring they have the opportunity to pull on the famous Valleys jersey.
Given the lengths she goes to week in, week out, it’s no surprise the girls rush to rally around her whenever she steps onto Emerson Park.
