The unsung heroes, the sideline warriors and the reason why sport has blossomed so brilliantly on the Glitter Strip as the city continues to grow, year after year.

With International Women’s Day fast approaching, the Gold Coast Bulletin sports team endeavoured to highlight the most influential and inspiring women across the region whom without, sport would simply not exist.

From those involved for seemingly a lifetime, like Hinterland District Netball Associations' Rosemaree Bradford, to the young stars just making a name for themselves, like surf athlete Claudia Bailey and tennis gun Emerson Jones, the Gold Coast is not short of powerful women continuing to make their mark.

Meet some of the Gold Coast’s most influential women in sport:

Michelle Havell

South Coast Netball Association vice president Michelle Havell is a workhorse for the association.

Havell is coach of South Coast’s U17s Elite Premier League coach, coach of the U15s representative team, South Coast coaching co-ordinator and coaches two club teams on top of this.

Havell is also currently undertaking for Advanced Coaching course, all while working full time with two kids.

Havell works hard to provide top level coaching while always ensuring players have fun. 

Michelle Bacon

South Coast Netball Association treasurer Michelle Bacon is another tireless worker around netball. Bacon is an U15s rep coach, B badged umpire who coaches juniors on Saturdays, and an EPL umpire. Bacon loves nothing more than giving back to developing young netballers and umpires.

Addison Newlan

Addison Newlan, 14, is an aspiring olympic sailor who was identified by Maritimo 11’s experienced skipper, Michael Spies, as a great talent of the future with an eye to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Newlan races with Maritimo’s support aboard their yachts in many races and most recently won King of the Derwent on January 2. She was also crew in the Australian Championships, Open Skiff National Championships, Geelong Festival of Sails, and Hamilton Island Race week.

Due to her age, the Foxwell State Secondary College student will have to wait a few more years before she can compete in the Sydney Hobart, but being part of the highly experience crew in many of Australia’s great ocean races is an exceptional opportunity.

Incredibly, the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) have granted Newlan a special exemption for for the iconic 308 nautical mile Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, set to be begin on April 7.

Competitors usually need to be aged 16 or over.

“At just 14, Addy has more offshore and other sailing experience than many other older sailors contesting the 2023Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race,” QCYC’s Commodore Ian Gidlow said.

“Addy is an inspiration to all aspiring young sailors across Australia. We commend her on her tenacity and ambitions insailing and are delighted to have her making sailing history as arguably the youngest ever sailor to compete in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

“Youth sailors such as Addy should be encouraged and supported to pursue their dreams and ambitions at all levels of the sport.”

Kim Boland

Bond University Netball Operations Manager Kim Boland has done a tremendous amount of work around grassroots netball since starting at Bond in recent years.

Boland was a key player involved in the Bull Sharks re-entrance into the Sapphire Series after a year out of the competition, and does plenty of work at club level with Hinterland District.

Boland is coach of the Bond University Ruby team, but coaches kids just beginning their netball journeys at Bond’s own netball clinics.

Maddy Gough

Olympic Swimmer Maddy Gough was part of history when she swum the women’s 1500m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Gough made more headlines when she took out the Australia Open Water title in the women’s 5km.

Along with swimming, Gough is a Bond University scholarship holder where she studies Biomedical Science.

Dr Lisa Gowthorp

Having worked in high performance sport for over 12 years, Dr Lisa Gowthorp has had a distinguished career in sports administration.

Dr Gowthorp has worked with organisations such as the NSW Institute of Sport, the Australian Institute of Sport and Australian Canoeing, working in swimming, gymnastics and sprint canoe.

Dr Gowthorp has managed teams at World Championships level and was the gymnastics section manager on the Australian Olympic team in Beijing in 2008.

She is an Associate Dean of External Engagement at Bond University.

Katie Page

The Harvey Norman co-owner has long had an active involvement with Gold Coast sport. A co-owner of the Magic Millions Thoroughbred racehorse auction house, along with a plethora of race horses, Katie Page was also the first woman elected to the board of the NRL. Harvey Norman continues to be a sponsor of the NRL, while in the past the company has sponsored all-female racecar teams and teams in a host of other codes.

Dr Annette Greenhow

Part of Bond University’s Faculty of Law, Dr Annette Greenhow has been influential in the fields of concussion liability in sport — a highly topical point of discussion.

Dr Greenhow’s work and research include the topic of sports law, with a focus on the regulation of football, concussion management and policies of the major football codes, as well as the anti-doping regimen in sport. Dr Greenhow has presented at both a number of regional and international conferences, and is also admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Claudia Bailey

 Rising kayak star Claudia Bailey is sports excellence scholar at Bond University studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science.

After only a year and a half in the kayak, Bailey had a sensational outing at the 2022 Canoe Sprint Championships, coming home with four gold, three silver and one bronze medal. Her performance earned her entrance into the 2022 Sprint Canoe Junior World Championships in Hungary.

In addition, Bailey also shone in her efforts as a surf sport athlete, winning the U17 Ironwoman, and Most Outstanding Female Competitor Award at the 2022 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

Bailey also won Surf Life Saving Australia's Young Athlete of the Year award.

Tara Campbell-Barry

One of the Gold Coast Titans most influential women is not on the field, but in the office.

Tara Campbell-Barry is the design and creative lead and is responsible for the club’s entire look and feel creatively, from all creative assets on social channels to in stadium, billboards, marketing materials and everything in between.

Campbell-Barry’s work has played a major role in recruiting players to the Coast with her design mocks and recruitment creative helping the Titans recruitment team build proposals to prospective players.

Joining the Titans at the end of 2019 from the Richmond Tigers where she held a similar role, Campbell-Barry has had a huge impact on the club, being pivotal in the club’s rebrand at the end of 2021.

Hayley Doherty and Krystal Churchill

The power duo of Pac Power Australian Football Club.

Registrar Hayley Doherty and secretary Krystal Churchill are the heart and soul of the club. The wife of club president Luke, Doherty is heavily involved with the club tackling everything from payment, PlayHQ, uniforms and works alongside the committee – all while working full time.

Her sidekick Churchill is in her first year as secretary, before which she was treasurer for several years.

The pair are always willing to help out, often putting other commitments aside to get the job done. Along with the rest of the club’s volunteers, Churchill and Doherty have built up their numbers drastically across the years to build a club of over 330 members.

“I love it, I love footy,” Churchill said.

“Our family have been Gold Coast Suns members since we started, we’re forever at the Suns or at Pac Power so when I’m not the secretary at the club I’m the manager of my son’s team.”

Karen MacLeod OAM

Karen MacLeod is a tireless volunteer for Swimming Gold Coast who represents Queensland on the local, state, national and international stage.

Recently receiving an OAM, Karen is the technical manager for Swimming Queensland and Swimming Australia and was recently the competitions manager for the FINA World Short Course Championships in Melbourne in December.

Swimming events don’t happen in Australia without Karen.

Raelene Ryan

Raelene Ryan is an institution at Miami Aquatic Centre, coaching swimmers of all ages.

Raelene is also recognised as one of Australia’s premiere female coaches and has recently been awarded important roles within Swimming Queensland and Swimming Australia.

Chelsea Hodges

Olympic Gold Medallist, Chelsea Hodges grew up on the Gold Coast and is representative of a Gold Coast swimmer through and through.

An Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Chelsea is always happy to assist with clinics for younger swimmers and well as providing incredible mentor advice to younger swimmers in her cub, Southport Olympic, as well as others throughout the Gold Coast and even interstate.

Janelle Pallister

High performance swimming coach Janelle Pallister has been an icon of swimming in the Gold Coast for decades.

Pallister is a triple Commonwealth Games medallist and Olympic swimmer. After retiring, she left the world of swimming momentarily, but eventually found her way back daughter Lani — now a four time World Champion — began swimming lessons.

Pallister soon because Lani’s coach alongside Michael Bohl and is now one of Australia’s top female swimming coaches.

Alison Peters & Leigh Edwards

Miami Tennis Club volunteers Alison Peters and Leigh Edwards have been an influential duo in tennis for decades.

Peters, the club’s current president with over 20 years of service, and Edwards, club secretary with more than 10 years of service were both were awarded the 2022 Tennis Queensland Volunteer Achievement Award.

The award was in honour of their 10 years plus service to their club and region, as well as their help running a flood drive for the Lismore Tennis Club as they recovered from the Northern NSW floods.

Emerson Jones

Rising tennis star Emerson Jones was the youngest player at the 2023 Australian Open.

The 14-year-old made her Grand Slam debut in January in Melbourne, winning matches in both the girls’ singles and doubles events.

Jones also had an incredible 2022 season, winning two ITF junior singles titles in Sydney and representing Australia in the Junior Billie King Cup Finals in Turkey.

She was also Tennis Queensland’s Female Junior of the Year.

Jones comes from a very sporty family, with mother Loretta Jones (nee Harrop) a former Olympic silver medallist in triathlon, father Brad a QAFL Grogan medallist, and brother Hayden also a rising tennis star.

Kimberley Birrell

Professional tennis player Kimberley Birrell comes from one of the biggest tennis families on the Gold Coast. Birrell’s father John and mother Ros are no strangers to helping out around the sport, while brother Cade is also an aspiring pro player.

After a battle with injury, 24-year-old Birrell is back on top with a career-high ranking of 133, notably defeating Kaia Kanepi in the first round of the Australian Open.

Despite her busy schedule, Birrell is known to always give back to her local club on the Gold Coast and hit with up and coming female juniors.

Olivia Gadecki

World No. 144 Olivia Gadecki is another local tennis player on the rise who has been influential around Gold Coast clubs and junior players.

The 20-year-old made it through to the second round of the Australian Open before bowing out to Marta Kostyuk, but in star fashion made it through to the mixed doubles semi-finals alongside Marc Polmans.

Katie McKellar

Gold Coast Tennis official and volunteer Katie McKellar is constantly supporting local events and putting her hand up to held, no matter how last minute or far away.

McKellar first became involved in officiating at the Fed Cup when it was held at the Royal Pines “many years ago”.

Since then, McKellar has also volunteered at the ATP Cup and Brisbane International.

“I have always had a love of the game and officiating has only furthered that,” McKellar said.

“With tennis, it gives back in dividends. I feel like I am a part of this wider group and tennis family of everyone who comes together to make a tournament a success. I am lucky to have met so many wonderful people along the way.”

Rosemaree Bradford

She founded one of Queensland’s biggest and most successful netball associations, Hinterland District.

In 1995, Council approached Rosemaree Bradford with the idea to create a new association, HDNA, along with the Mudgeeraba Redbacks Rugby League Club.

A player at Southport Carrara NA and running the Mudgeeraba Netball Club, Bradford ran with the idea and was part of the club for over 20 years.

In the early days, the association was so underdone Bradford used her car boot as the office and her car to power a portable siren.

A former rep coach and player for HDNA, Bradford was at one point the oldest rep player in Queensland.

“Every year we have a really great competition, we’re still continuing to build and grow,” she said

That’s what I’m most proud of, that we have so many divisions in each age group that we’re able to let players develop in their own level and pace.

Now at 73-years-old, Bradford hasn’t yet retired the netball and still coaches a team at Palm Beach Netball Club.

“I’ll be playing until I’m in a wheelchair.”

Michelle Grunske

Former President of the Tallebudgera Netball Club Michelle Grunske has been around netball her whole.

Grunske has played on and off for over 40 years, but always remained involved in some way whether it be through coaching or umpiring.

Now, Grunske coaches umpires for Tallebudgera and South Coast Netball Association, and helps train new rep coaches when needed.

Originally from Townsville, Grunske was a network coach for QAS in Townsville, where she trained the region’s most talented – including now Australian Diamond Cara Koenen and Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio.

“I’ve enjoyed it, I can honestly say the friends (I’ve made) have been the highlight. I’ve still got friends from netball in Townsville, it’s a fantastic group of people.”

Gail Torrens

Tenpin Bowling Association of Queensland CEO Gail Torrens has been a driving force behind the sport for decades.

In 1993 she became a part-time volunteer as well as TBAQ’s State Coaching Director of Queensland, a role she has held ever since.

National and international highlights of her career include roles as Manager of the Australian team at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004 and Manager and consulting coach for the 2008 Men’s World Championships team in Thailand.

In 2019 Gail was honoured with induction into the TBAQ Hall of Fame and in 2020 she was invited to join the Board of QSport, as Chairperson of QSport’s Indoor Sport Group.

Her distinguished career of service to the sport was confirmed in 2022 by selection as a finalist for the prestigious Queensland Sport Administrator of the Year Award at the Queensland Sport Awards.

Bec Frizelle

She’s one of the Gold Coast’s most successful business women.

Chief Operating Officer of Frizelle Automotive Group, Frizelle became the first female chair of an NRL club in 2014 before stepping down to become co owner of the Gold Coast Titan.

Frizelle helped save the Gold Coast Titans from extinction in 2017 by forming a consortium with Darryl Kelly to purchase the club.

The Titans long-awaited move into the NRLW competition was driven by Frizelle’s passion for rugby league and she continues to be the city’s most powerful woman in both sport and business, leading the way in two male-dominated industries.

Temepara Bailey

Coming from New Zealand to the Gold Coast Titans with her son and Titans lock Erin Clark, Temepara Bailey found her way back into the netball world, signing on as coach of the club’s inaugural Sapphire Series team.

Bailey led the Titans into their first ever state series campaign, and could very likely be the one to lead them into the Super Netball when the time comes.

Glynis Nunn OAM

Olympian and Coast Coast Academy of Sport Vice Chair and Executive Director of Athletes Services, Glynis Nunn has mentored some of the Gold Coast’s brightest young athletes.

Nunn won the inaugural heptathlon gold medal in the events first Olympic appearance in Los Angeles in 1984 and now runs the Gold Coast Academy of Sport, helping operate around 20 sporting programs for young athletes in the city.

She is one of the hardest working figures in sport on the Gold Coast and already has built a legacy that will make her one of our most cherished influencers for years to come.

Naomi Flood

Ironwoman turned Olympic kayaker, Naomi Flood has continued to help and inspire women on the Gold Coast.

Growing up as a talented swimmer, surfer and surf life saver, Flood was a champion Ironwoman, winning international and national titles alike.

Flood then took her talents to canoe, where she went on to represent Australia at two Olympics.

Flood now coaches the women’s crew at Northcliffe SLS, who are dominating at both senior and junior level.

Georgia Miller

2022-23 Nutri-Grain Series champion Georgia Miller inspires young athletes on the daily with all she does for the sport.

Miller is always happy to gives back to her community, running the Nipper program out of Northcliffe SLSC, which she also helps coach at various events and trainings.

Originally hailing from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, moved to the Gold Coast to pursue a professional Ironwoman career, and soon achieved the incredible feat of the Triple Crown, winning the Coolangatta Gold, a Nutri-Grain Iron Series and an Australian Ironwoman title all within the same season.

Miller was inducted into the SLSA Hall of Fame at only 26 years old.

Gretel Bueta

Australian Diamonds and Queensland Firebirds star Gretel Bueta has become an inspiration for athletes on and off the court.

Bueta dominated the world netball stage, winning the Quad Series and Commonwealth Games in 2022, but will sit out of the 2023 season as she prepares for her second child.

Bueta consistently gives back to the netball community, helping run training sessions with budding netballers and always making the time to say hello around games.

She was an inspiration to women when she bravely shared the heartbreak of her miscarriage in 2022, before which she was forced to announce her pregnancy early to explain her absence from the England and New Zealand tests.

Sally Pearson

One of Australia’s greatest Olympians, Sally Pearson became the tenth female Australia track athlete to win a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics when she smashed the 100m hurdle record.

A multi-Olympic medallist and world champion hurdler, Pearson earned Australia’s highest individual honour when she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2014 for her contribution to sport.

After stepping away from the sport in 2019, Pearson has become a mentor to young athletes and is a sports presenter for Channel 7 on the Gold Coast.

Steph Gilmore

One of the all-time greats, Steph Gilmore is an eight-time World Surfing League champion.

After joining the professional surfing scene in 2007, winning four of the eight events and claiming the WSL title in her first year, Gilmore has only gotten better, most recently claiming the 2022 WSL title.

Gilmore lead the WSL to achieve equal pay for women – one of the first international sporting organisations to do so.

She’s an advocate for ocean health and spend time with the next generation of surfers at initiatives such as the ’Rising Tides’ at WSL tour events.

Fiona Sessarago

Gold Coast Suns Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago has an incredible history coming up through the roots of AFL on the GC and in Queensland.

Sessarago is the club’s brain trust on all things AFLW. She got her first taste of AFL in her final year of university, helping out a friend by acting as a sports trainer for just a few games.

From there she caught the bug, signing up as a player before moving into coaching and finally into administrative roles.

Now she spends her days trying to deliver a premiership to the Gold Coast Suns while nurturing the top female talents coming through the club’s Academy.

Michelle Schultz

Before stepping down last year, Michelle Schultz was a volunteer and president of the Musgrave Mustangs for 15 years.

She was awarded Football Queensland’s Service to Football Gold Award in 2022 for her service which includes founding Musgrave’s inclusive program, an all abilities soccer program, and overseeing a full renovation of the club house.

Schultz was also awarded the Daphne Pirie Spirit of Sport Award in 2022.

Jess Austin

Working for Football Queensland, Jess Austin began as Competitions Officer last year before moving into the role of Women and Girls Officer.

Austin currently plays for the Gold Coast Knights in QPL3 competition and has spent time in the USA playing soccer as a student athlete.

Austin holds a B level coaching license and coaches a junior girl’s team at Kingscliff.

Maria Roughley

Maria Roughley has been the Gold Coast Referee Appointment Officer an a member of the Football Gold Coast Board for the past five years.

But Roughley’s involved in football goes way beyond this, having been involved in football on the Gold Coast for about 20 years in total.

Brooklyn Manu

Few have brought the same level of passion for growing the game as Brooklyn Manu. The Gold Coast District Rugby Union community manager stepped into her role at the end of 2021, and has since helped orchestrate a host of girls and women’s initiatives previously never seen in the region. A wealth of Rugby 7s outlets for grassroots clubs and schools have been created, as has a women’s development program aimed at inspiring a 15-a-side club-based competition.

Elisha Godsiff

Fresh off a mountain of success in the Bull Sharks line up, Elisha Godsiff has now sought to use her talents to usher in a new era of female stars. The forward has taken up a female development role with the Surfers Paradise Dolphins, and has now called on the powers that be to provide a sustainable financial pathway in the Super W to retain the crop of talent in the game.

Tania Hala

In a code where the women’s game still appears to be somewhat in its infancy, Tania Hala has been working tireless to enable the grassroots to blossom. Coaching women’s and schoolgirl outfits out of Bond University, the Coomera Crushers, Kings Christian College and Renegades 32, Hala has helped a whole generation of talent hone their craft and push for higher honours. She has taken the Kings XV program to Japan for a global showcase and guided the Crushers to the Brisbane Suburbia premiership in 2022. As part of the Bond coaching staff, the Bull Sharks also went on to claim three titles across Queensland Premier Rugby and the Rugby 7s elite competitions.

Kristin Dunn

Having grown up requiring to make her own women’s rugby side just to get the chance to play, Kristin Dunn has dedicated much of her adult life to ensuring the next generation do not have to endure the same obstacles. Dunn founded and continues to run the Pacific Youth Rugby Festival, an annual showcase celebrating culture and the rising rugby stars of tomorrow. Last year’s efforts attracted more than 950 players, with a major focus put into girls sides to grow together through the ranks. Dunn’s ultimate goal is for the Festival to be considered a genuine representative pathways for more players to pursue higher honours.

Madison Schuck

There were times when Madison Schuck considered abandoning her rugby goals, having constantly trialled for the Queensland Reds only to miss the cut. Now she has not only cemented herself in the Super W set up but gone on to represent the Wallaroos. Schuck, a Bond University stalwart before relocating to Easts, was in the Australian World Cup squad last year however was unable to take the field. It has reshaped her goals to ensure she plays in the 2025 spectacle, and she has been training the house down to make that dream a reality. Not bad for a woman who is also a Gold Coast paramedic, juggling extensive night shifts with her playing pursuits.

Michelle Tuffley

There was a time when Michelle Tuffley feared she may never have the chance to take the field. Now, having undergone a profound life transformation, she has set about providing as many opportunities to young girls in rugby as possible. Tuffley shared her story with the Bulletin, detailing how when she decided she wanted to pick up the Gilbert she was too overweight to do so. She lost 60kg, donned the Gold Coast Eagles colours, travelled to Europe to play at a higher level, and even found herself on the cusp of Wallaroos World Cup selection. Tuffley’s playing days may be behind her, but she has returned to Eagles as a forwards specialist coach for the club’s women’s team and mentor the next brigade of talent through to the plateaus of the code.

Selena Worsley

A Wallaroos legend who has remained in rugby circles to inspire the next generation. Selena Worsley as a player captained the green and gold, and just last year was inducted into the Queensland Rugby Hall of Fame. Now she mentors young girls out of Miami State High School and encourages girls across the Gold Coast to pursue the game which made her a leading figure in the code.

Karyn Murphy

One of the finest players to don the Jillaroos colours, Karyn Murphy has now set about fostering a new era for women’s rugby league. Murphy now oversees the entire Gold Coast Titans female program, including her role as head coach of the club’s NRLW side. In addition, the former police officer has cultivated the junior girls academies at the Titans, identifying talent in the under-17s and under-19s with the goal to harness their abilities through to the NRLW.

Stephanie Hancock

She may have passed her 40s, but Steph Hancock is still one of the most fearsome forwards in the NRLW. Whenever the Titan crossed for a try in Gold Coast colours her teammates were utterly jubilant, speaking volumes to the impact she has had on the game. A 16-time Queensland Maroons enforcer, Hancock doubles as a senior constable in the police, highlight just how tireless this woman is.

Tahnee Norris

As a player Tahnee Norris became a Jillaroos legend, going on to represent her country a record 32 times. Since then she has transitioned into coaching, guiding the Burleigh Bears QRLW side as well as the Queensland Maroons. Norris continues to be an ambassador for greater opportunities in rugby league for women, including last year when she called for the women’s State of Origin series to be expanded to three games, rather than the two match contest it was locked in for in 2023.

Catie Perrett

Behind the scenes of the Currumbin Eagles, Catie Perrett diligently works to ensure the players have every opportunity to thrive. Each and every week she gives up her time to strap the players, perform first aid and manage teams across the junior rugby league ranks. Has been recognised as the Eagles’ club person of the year and such is her dedication to the game and club will likely claim several more honours moving forward.

Jenny Peck

Praised as one of the founding mothers of girls rugby league in the south of the Gold Coast, Jenny Peck has been praised as the ‘Mother Eagle’ of Currumbin by head coach Matt Geyer. Having also held roles with the Rugby League Gold Coast in the past, Peck continues to sacrifice her time to ensure more young girls have the opportunity to pursue their dreams of picking up the Steeden, and one day perhaps take on the NRLW. In late 2019, she became the first female to join the RLGC board, while she was also an administrator for the Mudgeeraba Redbacks and was the Currumbin senior chair for five years.

Jasmine Parr

Controversy and media scrutiny could have ended Jasmine Parr’s combat sports career before it even had a chance to begin. Never did she shy away. The 19-year-old and her father, former Australian champion John Wayne Parr, drew headlines when the talented pugilist was only eight years old. Media commentators voiced outrage the youngster was thrust into a Muay Thai match, but look at her now — the FIBA Flyweight champion. Parr has gone on to feature in ‘The Contender’ — a Malaysia reality TV show pitting some of the best fighters in the world against each other. Parr thrives the harder the competition and the greater the adversity, and now conducts coaching sessions for others to better themselves as athletes and people.

Skye Nicolson

A champion who seems to only be getting started. Skye Nicolson rose to prominence by claiming a Commonwealth Games gold medal on the Gold Coast in 2018. Just last year she made her professional boxing debut, and has gone on to win all six of her bouts ever since. Now the WBC Silver Featherweight champion, Nicolson is on track to become one of the leading faces in women’s boxing.

Jackie Brown

Jackie Brown is the current NBL1 Women's head coach for the Lady Rollers.

On the back of a stellar playing career, one which included a host of school records at the University of California and a long stint in Europe, Brown has continued to be a strong on court presence in the coaches square — mentoring Queensland and Australian junior teams.

She has achieved this all while juggling her work in the Queensland Fire and Emergency services.

Jessica Petrie

Jess Petrie has taken her game to a new level since joining the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in 2021.

She was named captain of the Australia Sapphires team which claimed Gold at the under-16 FIBA Asian Championship and went on to finish fifth at the FIBA World Cup in Hungary. Petrie continued her national representation by being named in the under-19 Australian team which competed successfully in India to qualify for the 2023 FIBA under-19 World Cup.

Petrie has been a valued member of the Queensland South Girls team and led the Gold Coast Rollers to a State Championship in January.

Petrie’s commitment to her development and outstanding performance made her a worthy recipient of the Basketball Queensland 2022 Female Player of the Year Award.

Anneka Lickiss

When Anneka Lickiss first began seeing her now husband — and Helensvale first grader cricketer Jack Lickiss — the only thing she knew about cricket was there was a bat and a ball.

Now, Lickiss is one of the hardest workers around Helensvale Cricket Club where she oversees the junior girls program, which she has helped build up from two teams to five, including two opens teams and a girls team in the U12s boys competition.

Lickiss’ passion evolved even further and she now works for Queensland Cricket as a community development officer.

She has gone to do her coaching course, and now coaches the Gold Coast representative team along with the Southern Blaze, while also helping out with club events and their social media.

Lauren Haydon

Another workhorse of cricket, Lauren Haydon is integral to Coomera Hope Island Cricket Club as the junior club vice president.

Haydon will help out anywhere, from behind the screen doing social media to working behind the bar at club events and coaching on the field, there is no task Haydon won’t get behind.

With more than 12 years of paying experience, Haydon heads up the girls cricket program, coaching junior girls including Gold Coast representative teams and the Southern Blaze.

She also helps run fundraisers that support local charities or the junior program, with the most recent being the Pink Stumps day where the club were able to raise thousands of dollars for the McGrath Foundation.

Lucy Callister

Lucy Callister began her involvement with the sport of surfing at a young age. She followed the Surfing Queensland grassroots pathway, competed locally in our state, qualified for the Australian titles and then represented Australia in the ISA World Games in Portugal (2018).

Callister formerly competed in the World Surf League as a Qualifying Series competitor and was crowned champion at the 2019 Krui Pro, her maiden QS win.

Callister now continues to work within the industry fulltime as Surfing Queensland’s Media and Communications Manager helping run over 20+ events and a multitude of inclusive surfing programs and initiatives on the coast.

Rosie Malone

A Hockeyroo who rose to prominence through the Gold Coast pathways. Rosie Malone has gone on to represent her country 79 times, scoring 22 goals in the process. Even with such experience behind her she still is very much in the infancy of her international career, having only debuted in 2018. Still just 24, the sky is the limit for Malone and her influence on the Gold Coast hockey community is profound.

Debbie Bowman-Sullivan

The captain of the first ever Australian medal winning team at an Olympic Games. Debbie Bowman-Sullivan will go down in hockey history after she guided the Hockeyroos all the way to the gold medal in Seoul back in 1988. A product of Keebra Park State High School, Bowman-Sullivan returned to the Gold Coast after her professional career and began coaching at the Queensland Academy of Sport. Constantly giving back to the Glitter Strip’s grassroots of the game, the fearless advocate for the game will long be remembered.

Lynn Cowie-McAlister

Lynn Cowie-McAlister swapped the stick for the whistle and went on to become an incredibly decorated international hockey umpire. A member of the Hockey Australia Officiating committee, the Gold Coaster continues to be involved in the officiating community at local levels in the region all the way up to national standards. In addition, Cowie-McAlister has devised a high-performance officiating conflict resolution and professional assertiveness training program which has been used across Australia.

Jan McCormick

The CEO of Major Events Gold Coast is one of the biggest reasons the Glitter Strip has hosted so many elite sporting events in recent years.

McCormick heads the brainstrust that pursue’s state, national and global sporting events and convinces them to bring their events to the city.

From national basketball titles to global air shows, McCormick works tirelessley behind the scenes to make Gold Coast a force in sport.

Christine Schultz

A workhorse of the Gold Coast gridiron community through the Stingrays. Christine Schultz has been on the club’s committee since 2017, a coach since 2018 and is now the Stringrays Vice President. Stingrays secretary Sera Schultz praised her as “amazing” for her commitment and involvement in the grassroots program for the past four years, coaching the 10-13 year olds in the youth division.

Sera Schultz

Sera Schultz is currently the Gold Coast Stingrays secretary and assistant youth coach. She has had an influence throughout the club on all levels. She has played the game and was in two state championship campaigns while she has been coaching the youth ages 10-14 years old for the last four years. Schultz has played a huge part in influencing the love of this sport in the youth as well as the skills. She is at every game on the sidelines supporting the juniors and senior games every weekend. She currently has been secretary for two years now and is working at creating long term sponsorship and business relationships for the club.