Dean Parata to retire from Rugby League

Jake Watson • 7 October 2024

Dean Parata to retire from Rugby League


Following the conclusion of the season Dean Parata has announced that he will retire from Rugby League at the age of 33.


Dean spent three seasons with London Broncos joining from Featherstone Rovers in 2022 he was named the club’s vice captain.


In 2023 London Broncos would produce a spectacular run of form to be crowned Grand Slam winners in the Championship play-off final against Toulouuse. Dean would be named the Championship Player of The Year, winning it jointly with Halifax’s Lachlan Walmsley.


At the age of 32, Dean would make his Super League debut, being named in the starting line-up for Round 1 of the 2024 season away at St Helens.

Despite suffering an injury-hit season in 2024 the Italian international would go on to make 12 Super League appearances.


Speaking on his decision to hang up his boot, Dean told London Broncos media he is ready for the next chapter in his life;


“That’s a wrap on my footy career. I am extremely lucky to have been able to play for as long as I have and across so many different places. Not least London where I have made some life-long friends. 


“I have loved my time at the Broncos and am thankful for the past three years. I wish the club all the best for what lays ahead in the future!”


  • Slide title

    Parata scoring against York Knights at Plough Lane in 2022

    Button

  • Slide title

    Parata against Widnes Vikings at Plough Lane in 2022

    Button

  • Slide title

    With teammates Corey Norman and Jarred Bassett

    Button

  • Slide title

    Parata against Featherstone Rovers in the 2023 Championship play-offs

    Button

  • Slide title

    Championship Player of the Year in 2023 with joint winner Lachlan Walmsley

    Button

  • Slide title

    Clean sweep for the Broncos at the Championship end of season awards

    Button

  • Slide title

    Super League debut against St Helens 

    Button

  • Slide title

    Parata against Hull KR at Craven Park

    Button

  • Slide title

    On the attack against Leigh Leopards in 2024

    Button

Dean’s career;


Born in Sydney, Parata played for West Tigers & Parramatta Eels feeder teams in the New South Wales Cup before moving to England to play Rugby League in 2018.


Initially joining Barrow Raiders in the Championship, Dean would play there for just one season before moving to Toulouse Olympique.

In 2020 Dean would join Featherstone Rovers, however after COVID curtailed that season, he would return in 2021 and he would go on to play in the Championship Grand Final where he came up against his former side Toulouse. However, it would be Sylvain Houles side who would win promotion to Super League.


In 2022 Dean joined London Broncos and was named as vice-captain to Will Lovell.


Dean would go on to play for Italy at the delayed 2021 World Cup where he would play in all of the games and score in the victory over Scotland.

In 2023 London Broncos would win promotion from The Championship with Dean being named the joint Championship Player of The Year.


In Round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, at the age of 32, Dean would make his Super League debut at The Totally Wicked Stadium against St Helens.

HIGHLIGHTS: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Toulouse vs London Broncos You can now watch back the extended highlights of the Championship fixture between Toulouse Olympique and London Broncos at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Ethan Natoli, Huw Worthington and Connor Barley with the Broncos tries. #WeAreLondon

TOULOUSE GALLERY

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
TOULOUSE GALLERY You can now take a look through the best images from the Championship clash with Toulouse at the State Ernest Wallon. Photo credit: David Gibson #WeAreLondon

POST-MATCH REACTION: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
POST-MATCH REACTION: Mike Eccles following narrow Toulouse defeat London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles felt that despite defeat in France to the league leaders Toulouse Olympic, it was a performance with "plenty of positives and lots to build on." The Broncos would twice take the lead in the first-half only to be pegged back on both occasions to go into the break 12-12 but a last minute try from Benjamin Laguerre would seal the points for Sylvain Houles side. Watch the full post-match interview with Mike Eccles below. #WeAreLondon

TEAM NEWS: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
TEAM NEWS: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon’s Championship with Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Brandon Webster-Mansfield comes in at centre to make his full debut and Connor O’Beirne returns to the starting line-up following injury. #WeAreLondon

MATCH PREVIEW: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 14 June 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos London Broncos head into one of the stand out fixtures of the season on Sunday when they make the trip to the south of France to take on Toulouse Olympique. Not only is it a visit to the side topping the Championship table but it is also the destination of one of the best days in the club's recent history. Securing promotion against Toulouse in 2023 was the last meeting between the two sides but despite the Broncos coming out on top that day it is the French who will be favourites on Sunday. Broncos come into this game on the back of a losing run but shoots of improvements were clear to see in the narrow defeat to Widnes last time out and will be boosted by the squad named. Squad Information Mike Eccles has named the 21-man travelling party for this weekend’s trip to Toulouse as Brandon Webster-Mansfield is named for the first time since arriving. Alongside Webster-Mansfield we also Liam Tindall and Connor O’Beirne return, coming as a huge boost for the squad. Sam Winney also returns to the 21 for the first time since breaking his jaw in the away game at Barrow. Jack Smith who is on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos also joins the group after scoring two tries on his debut for the club against Widnes Vikings. Lewis Bienek remains the only major absentee however it is hoped he will be fit for the next game at Hunslet.

MATCH PREVIEW: Mike Eccles looks ahead to Toulouse trip

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Mike Eccles looks ahead to Toulouse trip London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles has done his pre-match interview ahead of the trip to Toulouse and has offered a positive update. Liam Tindall and Connor O'Beirne are in contention to play following injuries and Lewis Bienek will hopefully be ready for the next game against Hunslet. Jack Smith, Connor Barley and Kian McDermott and Lukas Mason make up the rest of the squad. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named the 21-man travelling party for this weekend’s trip to Toulouse as Brandon Webster-Mansfield is named for the first time since arriving. Alongside Webster-Mansfield we also Liam Tindall and Connor O’Beirne return, coming as a huge boost for the squad. Sam Winney also returns to the 21 for the first time since breaking his jaw in the away game at Barrow. Jack Smith who is on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos also joins the group after scoring two tries on his debut for the club against Widnes Vikings. Lewis Bienek remains the only major absentee however it is hoped he will be fit for the next game at Hunslet. #WeAreLondon

Toulouse Training Gallery

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
TOULOUSE TRAINING GALLERY The final session with the squad before we fly out to Toulouse on Saturday ahead of Sunday's Championship clash at the State Ernest-Wallon. #WeAreLondon

Half-season Tickets now available!!

by Jake Watson • 12 June 2025
Half-season Tickets now available!! London Broncos are delighted to announce half-season tickets for the remainder of the season which offer huge discounts on buying regular tickets for each game. With just 6 home games remaining a general admission adult season ticket costs just £60 which is a huge 100% saving on buying individual tickets for each game.  Buy from the link below.

Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 10 June 2025
Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos It’s pretty common when we do these articles that there are a number of current players playing for the opposition, but perhaps Sheffield Eagles and Toulouse Olympique win the record for the highest number this season. So, before you all guess these five, Toulouse have 5 players in the current squad who have featured for London Broncos; Paul Ulberg, Ollie Ashall-Bott, Greg Richards, Callum Gahan and Rob Butler. Let’s focus on some of the players that no longer don the colours of either side and their history with us both; Rhys Curran An Aussie born French international, Curran spent two seasons at London Broncos before hanging up his boots. Still residing in London you can regularly expect to see Rhys coming down to The Cherry Red Records to support his former teammates. However, he can count a number of the Toulouse players as former teammates as he spent a very fruitful four seasons playing for the club between 2016 and 2019 and prior to that he played in Elite VIII for Villeneuve. Through residency (living for three years in France) Curran would play three times for the French national team in 2018.
More posts