Adding fuel to the Fire: Townsville lands rising Australian Opals talent for 2025/26 WNBL campaign

The Townsville Fire have made their first big splash of the WNBL free agency period, signing up an Australian Opal to a two-year contract. Find out why coach Shannon Seebohm was “ecstatic” to get her on board.

Miela Sowah of the Opals breaks away from the defence during the trans-Tasman Throwdown match between the Australia Opals and the New Zealand Tall Ferns at UniSC Arena on May 09, 2025 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Townsville Fire have made their first big splash of the WNBL free agency period, signing up recent Australian Opals debutant and Queenslander Miela Sowah to a two-year contract.

Sowah enjoyed a breakout season with the Perth Lynx in 2024/25, cementing her place as one of the league’s most effective shooting guards by averaging 15 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

The 25-year-old was rewarded with her Opals debut in the same match that Fire players Courtney Woods, Alex Fowler and Abbey Ellis also played their first game for Australia.

That’s not Sowah’s only connection to Townsville; she began her professional basketball journey as a development player in the Fire’s championship season in 2017/18, although she only made two brief appearances.

Fire coach Shannon Seebohm said the club was “ecstatic” to welcome the talented and tenacious guard back to Townsville.

Lauren Cox of the Fire drives to the basket past Miela Sowah of the Lynx during game two of the WNBL Semi Final series between Townsville Fire and Perth Lynx at Townsville Entertainment Centre, on February 26, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“She provides us with a scoring boost, and we believe she’s only just scratching the surface

of her potential,” Seebohm said.

“We’re excited to work with her and be part of the next stage of her basketball

journey.”

Fire development player Miela Goodchild, 17, has arrived in Townsville for pre season training from Brisbane. Picture taken September 2017.

Sowah played 20 games for the Melbourne Boomers after a US college career at Duke University, before joining the Lynx for two seasons in Western Australia where she made 49 appearances.

She was named in last season’s All-WNBL Second team and was instrumental to the Australian Gangurrus’ gold medal victory at the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, earning All-Tournament Team honours.

Miela Sowah of the Lynx drives towards the hoop during the round 15 WNBL match between Perth Lynx and Geelong United at Bendat Basketball Stadium, on February 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

This week Sowah was crowned the NBL1 North player of the week after a stunning 37-point showing for the Brisbane Capitals during a 81-50 triumph over Rockhampton.

Sowah said she was “incredibly excited to return to the Fire.”

“The club has a strong culture of success, and I’m looking forward to contributing on and off the court,” Sowah said.

“I think the fans and the Fire Pit atmosphere is like no where else, and I can’t wait to be part of it. I’m ready to work hard, grow my game, and help the team chase another championship.”

Sowah is the first new signing for the Fire, but she joins a strong core of returning players which includes: Courtney Woods, Abbey Ellis, Saffron Shiels, Lauren Cox, Alex Fowler and Alicia Froling.

Originally published as Adding fuel to the Fire: Townsville lands rising Australian Opals talent for 2025/26 WNBL campaign