Ali Brigginshaw announced Wednesday that she will step down as captain of the Brisbane Broncos NRLW side ahead of her final season [1].

The move marks the end of a defining era for the club's leadership. As a four-time premiership-winning captain [2], Brigginshaw has been the central figure in the Broncos' success in the National Rugby League Women's competition.

Brigginshaw said the decision comes from a desire to prioritize her remaining time on the field and ensure the club's long-term stability. "I have decided to step down as captain to focus on my final season," she said [3].

The veteran leader said the transition is a strategic move for the team's future growth. "The time is right for new leaders to take the reins," Brigginshaw said [4].

By stepping aside now, Brigginshaw aims to allow a successor to establish authority before her eventual retirement. "I’m stepping aside because I believe it’s the right moment for the club to move forward with fresh leadership," she said to the Broncos media team [5].

The announcement comes as the club prepares for a transition period without its most decorated leader at the helm. Brigginshaw will remain with the squad as a player, bringing her extensive experience to the locker room without the administrative and leadership burdens of the captaincy.

“"The time is right for new leaders to take the reins."”

Brigginshaw's departure from the captaincy represents a planned succession strategy for the Brisbane Broncos. By stepping down before her final season, she provides the club an opportunity to test new leadership under her mentorship, mitigating the potential vacuum that would occur if a captain of her stature retired abruptly.