Tom Dearden and Millie Oliver Welcome Baby Daughter
The North Queensland Cowboys co-captain travelled to Sydney to celebrate the birth of his first child, Dolly June Dearden.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Pregnancy
Tom Dearden and his partner, Millie Oliver, have welcomed their first child, a daughter named Dolly June Dearden. The rugby league star briefly left the Australian national team camp to spend time with his family in Sydney.
Why it matters
The birth of his child comes during a busy period for Dearden, who is competing for a starting halves position in the Australian squad while maintaining his commitment to his club team.
Tom Dearden is 25 years old and is currently signed to the North Queensland Cowboys until the end of 2029. He previously dealt with a syndesmosis injury that caused him to miss the State of Origin series.
The players
Tom Dearden
He is the 25-year-old co-captain of the North Queensland Cowboys and a member of the Australian national rugby league squad.
Millie Oliver
She is the partner of Tom Dearden and operates a hair salon located in Bella Vista.
Sam Walker
He is a professional rugby league player who competes against Dearden for a starting halves position in the Australian squad.
The details
Following the birth on 23 October 2026, Dearden travelled to Sydney to be with his family. He successfully returned to competitive play on 25 October 2026, when he took the field for Australia in a match against Fiji in Brisbane.
Timeline
July 2026: Reports suggested Dearden might leave the North Queensland Cowboys.
August 2026: Dearden publicly denied plans to leave his club.
23 October 2026: Dolly June Dearden was born in Sydney.
25 October 2026: Dearden competed in a rugby league match against Fiji in Brisbane.
Culture Shift
Professional athletes in the National Rugby League are increasingly balancing intense club and representative schedules with personal life milestones. Dearden's situation reflects the broader standard of players taking short breaks for family events before returning to high-stakes competition.
Fans in North Queensland can expect the co-captain to resume his duties following his brief time away with his family. The athlete will continue his training and preparation for upcoming fixtures as part of his long-term contract.
The takeaway
Maintaining personal and professional balance is a challenge for elite athletes during competitive seasons. Dearden illustrates that prioritising family time is compatible with a rigorous sporting schedule.
Further reading
For more information on family developments in the sporting community, see Pregnancy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
