{"id":141394,"date":"2025-09-14T00:39:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T00:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/141394\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T00:39:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T00:39:10","slug":"broncos-superstar-reece-walsh-shares-rare-insight-into-being-a-single-dad-ahead-of-finals-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/141394\/","title":{"rendered":"Broncos superstar Reece Walsh shares rare insight into being a single dad ahead of finals clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reece Walsh has opened up about his private life<\/p>\n

By JAMES COONEY, SENIOR SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 20:18 EDT, 13 September 2025 | Updated: 20:18 EDT, 13 September 2025 <\/p>\n

Brisbane star Reece Walsh has opened up about his private life, revealing what life is like for him as a young father on the eve of his side’s blockbuster showdown with Canberra.<\/p>\n

Walsh, 23,\u00a0burst onto the NRL<\/a> scene as an 18-year-old in 2021 when he was signed by the New Zealand Warriors. His opening games for the Warriors were so impressive he was selected to make his Origin debut.<\/p>\n

He also welcomed daughter Leila in March 2021 when he was just 18, which was a deciding factor in his return to the Brisbane Broncos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He was granted an early release from his New Zealand contract and returned to Queensland<\/a> in 2023 to be closer to his daughter.<\/p>\n

Walsh split from his longtime girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Freda Puru,\u00a0 in 2023, but the couple continue to co-parent their daughter.<\/p>\n

‘It is tough,’ Walsh told News Corp.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Reece <\/p>\n

Reece Walsh has opened up about what life is like as a young father<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A big reason Walsh returned to the Broncos was to be closer to his daughter after spending time in New Zealand when he was with the Warriors<\/p>\n

‘My daughter’s mother … she’s awesome. She’s always supporting.<\/p>\n

‘Having my mum and dad around, and my siblings there, they’re always willing to help out.<\/p>\n

‘It just shows the quality of people I have around me. That’s what it comes down to.<\/p>\n

‘There’s a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” and it’s so true. I’m just really grateful and thankful I’ve got awesome people around me to help me out (with raising his daughter).<\/p>\n

‘The reason I am who I am is because of them, so I’ll never forget that.’<\/p>\n

Walsh says life as a single dad gives him little time to be out partying with teammates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘I’m still only 23 years old,’ he said of being a young father.<\/p>\n

\"Walsh <\/p>\n

Walsh says he loves being a dad and that has made him a better man and player<\/p>\n

‘There’s still times where my mates are out, doing what they’re doing.<\/p>\n

‘I want to go and join them, but I’ve got a four-year-old daughter at home that I’ve got to cook dinner for and put in the bath.<\/p>\n

‘I definitely wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for her (Leila).<\/p>\n

‘I’m just really thankful to have an awesome support network. The club are awesome with supporting me, too, and the boys are all behind me.<\/p>\n

‘They support me in everything that I’m doing.’<\/p>\n

Walsh says that Leila inspires him to be a better person.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Not everything is about footy and a job. When I am in the facility I am the footy player, but when I step out and see my little one and my family, I am a dad.<\/p>\n

‘I want to be someone who works hard, someone who brings success and someone who helps bring premierships to this great club at the Broncos.<\/p>\n

‘But first of all I’ve got to be a good person off the field, a caring dad and a good role model.’<\/p>\n

The Broncos head to Canberra\u2019s GIO Stadium for their qualifying finals clash with the Raiders.<\/p>\n

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