Situated in Central Queensland, in the heart of the Bowen Basin Coal Mining Industry, Emerald is approximately 3 hours inland from Rockhampton. One of two local rugby league teams, Emerald Brothers Cowboys Rugby League Football Club Inc. originated in 1993, then named the Emerald Seagulls.
After winning the Reserve Grade topship that same year, they went on to secure the 1996 A Grade premiership, followed by Reserve Grade tops in 2000, A Grade Runners Up in 2000, A Grade and Reserve Grade premiers in 2001, A Grade Grand Finalists in 2003, and then A Grade leadings again in 2004. The team name was changed to Emerald Cowboys in 1997, and in 2005, the affiliation with the Brothers confraternity transpired.
In 2007, The Emerald Cowboys saw the forfeit of the Reserve Grade team, due to lack of interest – both from players and supporters alike – and consequently, there were financial struggles. Since then, however, by choosing to field only one A Grade team each year, they are gradually building up the strength of years past and are reinforcing their position in the Central Highlands competition.
2010 season for the Emerald Brothers Cowboys club was known as a very successfully year as it was the introduction of the Old Boys Supporters Club, with a large increase in players and supporters. This led the team to make the final series.
In 2015, The Emerald Cowboys introduced a womens team, called The Emerald Cowgirls. The Central Highland's has now become one of the biggest regional Women's competition in the state, with 5 teams entered.