TOP WOMEN ALL SHINING BRIGHTLY

Go online to check out our full list of Garden City’s 35 influential sport identities

AHEAD of International Women’s Day on March 8, The Chronicle sport team is celebrating and honouring women in sport.

From the grassroots level to the national and international stage, we’re shining a light on Toowoomba and the Darling Downs’ most influential athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers.

Shenae Ciesiolka

Last year the Brisbane Broncos NRLW flyer wrote her name into the record books when she lined up for the Australia Jillaroos at the women’s rugby league World Cup.

Ciesiolka’s cup run marked the third time she represented Australia, having previously worn green and gold in Rugby Sevens and touch football.

Taylah Chapman

The 2022 Sports Darling Downs Junior Para Athlete of the Year is one to watch. She brought home a swag of medals from the 2022 National Championships. Chapman finished with under-15 discus silver, under-17 javelin silver and under-15 long jump bronze. She also recorded a personal best throw to finish fourth in the under-15 shot put and finished fourth in the under-15 100m final.

Maddy Sears

She doesn’t fit the ‘traditional’ horse racing trainer mould, but Sears’ record speaks for itself. Alongside her father Tony, she has produced a number of top-class winners in Toowoomba and right across south east Queensland.

Mia Stower

Toowoomba’s lone Suncorp Super Netball rep will be looking to make her mark for the Queensland Firebirds in the 2023 season.

Bianca Daniel

Daniel went from strength to strength in 2022 – setting and breaking her own powerlifting world record – and adding a world championship gold medal to her cabinet.

Emilee Cherry

The Darling Downs premier women’s Rugby Sevens competition is named after one of Australia’s greatest players for good reason. Cherry first played rugby at Fairholme and continues to inspire young players from the region.

Georgia Voll

Voll debuted for the Queensland Fire at 16 years of age in 2020 – taking 2-11. She has played in the WBBL and was named in the Australia A squad in 2022.

Aleisha Neumann

Neumann is among hockey’s top umpires having officiated at the national, Commonwealth and Olympic Games level. She is also an elite level player.

Main picture: Getty Images Toowoomba’s Mia Stower will aim to burn bright for the Queensland Firebirds in 2023, while horse racing trainer Maddy Sears (inset left) and rugby league star Shenae Ciesiolka (inset right) also hope for big years.

Para athlete Taylah Chapman.