Meet little Abigail Heise – the newest Brisbane Broncos fan to join the ranks in 2024.

The youngest of seven siblings, Abigail was the first baby born at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane on New Year’s Day.

To add to the celebrations, the new Mater baby was gifted a Baby Bronco membership, joining an already 43,000 strong BronxNation for the new season.

Arriving via a waterbirth at 2.05am, mum Rachel Heise and husband Florian said they were excited to welcome their latest addition to their family and “can’t wait to bring her home”.

“It’ll be a big adjustment for everyone – we now have five daughters and two sons,” Rachel said.

“I’m still in shock that I have seven children!

“All the kids are coming to meet her this afternoon which will be lovely and hectic.”

Little Abigail weighed 3.8kg and was the fourth water birth for the Sunnybank mother.

Rachel said her sons were looking forward to the new rugby league season kicking off.

“I think Abigail’s eight-year-old brother Fredrick will be super excited about her membership,” she said.

“He’s a big Broncos fan.”

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds said: “A Bronco from birth – that’s awesome. Some of us took the longer route, but it’s special to see, we love having so many young kids at training and around the club”.

 “Who knows, they might be future superstars, we all started out like that,” Adam said.

 “A big welcome from our extended Broncos family to yours, what a way to start the New Year.”

More than 12,000 babies are delivered every year at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals located in South Brisbane, Redland, Rockhampton, Mackay, and Townsville.