NRLW and Origin star Shenae Ciesiolka makes Clydesdales debut

Oakey Bears junior and current NRLW superstar Shenae Ciesiolka ran out onto the Toowoomba Sports Ground on Sunday for the first time as a Western Clydesdale in a moment which will live long in her memory. See what the occasion meant to her here.

Shenae Ciesiolka in action for the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership side against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

Oakey Bears junior and current NRLW superstar Shenae Ciesiolka made her long-awaited debut for the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership side on Sunday.

Not even the heavy rain and wind could dampen Ciesiolka’s spirits as she was delighted to run out for the Clydesdales for the first time in front of her home faithful.

“It was awesome, obviously not the best conditions but to get the win down here at Clive Berghofer (Stadium) and make my debut was something pretty special and something that I will always remember,” she said.

It did not take long for the Maroons and Broncos star to make her presence felt as she set up a try after just 10 minutes with a lethal spiral kick.

“Yeah most definitely (it was good),” Ciesiolka said.

“It was bad weather so it was just about getting the basics right and completing our sets and just making sure we complete the one-percenters.”

After battling an injury heading into the season, Ciesiolka was forced to sit out the Clydesdales’ first two games in their history but is now locked and loaded for a massive 2024.

“It was really difficult, really frustrating,” she said.

“It’s tough being on the sideline, but it is a massive year of footy and it was just waiting to see how the body felt and to get it right because it is a really big year.”

As one of the inaugural co-captains of the side, Ciesiolka takes pride in being an inspiration for young girls in the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.

“It is really special and the pathway wasn’t available back then,” she said.

“So now to have the Clydesdales in the BMD comp and to have the pathway it is wonderful for the young talent in the region and it is really exciting to hear young girls say that they want to play for the Clydesdales one day.

“So it is definitely an exciting time for the region and it is only going to up from here.”

The Clydesdales were a class above on Sunday as they claimed an emphatic 28-4 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons despite missing several players through the Harvey Norman National Championships, which Ciesiolka said was a major showcase of the squad depth available.

Local hero Shenae Ciesiolka signs autographs for Toowoomba Junior Rugby League players. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“There’s a lot of talent in the local girls and all the girls have been coming to training every week and working really hard,” she said.

“It just goes to show that everyone is ready to step up and do the job if we need and it just goes to show Sarge (Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent) and all the girls have been working really hard and have a lot of depth in the squad.”

The Clydesdales have now won two of their three games this season with their only loss a thrilling clash against fellow premiership contenders Burleigh Bears.

Despite their strong start to the season, they are still yet to field a full strength side and Ciesiolka is excited to see what the team can do as the season progresses.

“It is going to be a massive season and we are just going to go back to training during the week and work on those things we need to,” she said.

“A lot of girls haven’t played much rugby league before so we are only going to continue to build and get better and better and you can see it each week that we are improving.

“We have got a lot of experience and a lot of new talent in the team as well so the girls are really open to feedback, they come and ask us senior players that are experienced and ask us for feedback and how they can improve their game and we can just help them out in that regard.”

Originally published as NRLW and Origin star Shenae Ciesiolka makes Clydesdales debut