Tamika Upton facts for kids
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Personal information
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 17 March 1997 Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 64 kg (10 st 1 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Playing information
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
As of 21 November 2024
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tamika Upton (born 17 March 1997) is an Australian professional rugby league player. She currently plays for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW). Tamika plays as a fullback, which is a key attacking and defensive position. Before joining the Broncos, she played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRLW. She also played for the CQ Capras and Burleigh Bears in the Queensland women's rugby league competition.
Contents
About Tamika Upton
Tamika was born in Rockhampton, a city in Queensland, Australia. She grew up in Central Queensland and started playing rugby league as a child in Blackwater. Tamika is from an Indigenous Australian background.
Before becoming a rugby league star, Tamika was a talented touch football player. She even played for Australia's national team, the Emus, in 2017. She was also a co-captain for the Queensland Cowboys in the NRL Touch competition. Tamika also played netball for a local team called the Capricorn Claws.
Tamika's Rugby League Journey
In 2018, Tamika joined the Yeppoon Seagulls women's team. She played as a five-eighth in the local Rockhampton competition.
2019: Joining the Broncos
On 15 July, Tamika signed with the Brisbane Broncos NRL Women's Premiership team. She made her NRLW debut in Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Women's season. She played on the wing for the Broncos in their 14–4 win against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
On 6 October, Tamika played as the fullback in the Broncos' Grand Final match. Her team won the Grand Final 30–6 against the Dragons, making her a premiership winner!
2020: Hat-trick Hero
In February, Tamika played for the Broncos at the NRL Nines tournament. She was even named in the Team of the Tournament for her great performance.
In Round 1 of the 2020 NRL Women's season, Tamika scored three tries in the first half! This is called a hat-trick. Her team, the Broncos, won against the New Zealand Warriors. On 25 October, Tamika played fullback and scored a try in the Grand Final. The Broncos won 20–10 against the Sydney Roosters, giving Tamika her second premiership title.
On 13 November, Tamika made her State of Origin debut for Queensland. She scored two tries in their 24–18 win over New South Wales.
2021: More Success
In 2021, Tamika played for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland women's competition. She played fullback and scored two tries in their Grand Final win.
On 25 June, she played fullback for Queensland again in the State of Origin. Queensland won 8–6 against New South Wales. Tamika also re-signed with the Broncos for the 2021 NRL Women's season.
2022: Moving to the Knights
On 18 May 2022, the Newcastle Knights announced that Tamika and Millie Boyle would be joining their team. Tamika played her first game for the Knights in Round 1 of the 2022 NRLW season. It was against her old team, the Brisbane Broncos.
In the Semi Final against the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Tamika scored two tries. This made her the first Knights player to score more than one try in a game! The Knights won 30–6 and made it to the Grand Final.
Tamika was named the best player in the 2022 NRL Women's Grand Final, winning the Karyn Murphy Medal. She scored a try in the Knights' 32–12 victory over the Parramatta Eels. This win was Tamika's third premiership title!
Tamika was chosen for the Australian squad for the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup. However, she had to withdraw because of an injury.
2023: Top Awards
In April, Tamika signed a new contract with the Knights until the end of 2027. She had an amazing year, winning the Dally M Medal for Player of the Year. She also won her second Karyn Murphy Medal for being the best player in the Grand Final. This was after the Knights won back-to-back premierships!
2024: A New Chapter
In November, Tamika was allowed to leave her contract with the Knights early. This was due to family and personal reasons. She will be rejoining the Brisbane Broncos in 2025.
