Brisbane’s sports stars ready to dominate in their respective codes

THESE women are ready to set Brisbane’s summer of sport alight. The River City is home to some of Australia’s best female athletes who have set their sights on a bumper summer.

Brisbane Lions’ Kaitlyn Ashmore, Heats’ Delissa Kimmince and Roar's Katrina Gorry. Picture: Peter Wallis

THESE women are ready to set Brisbane’s summer of sport alight.

The River City is home to some of Australia’s best female athletes who have set their sights on a bumper summer.

The Brisbane Heat’s Delissa Kimmince joined Roar soccer star Katrina Gorry and Lions gun Kaitlyn Ashmore.

The Heat begin their Women’s Big Bash League season on Sunday against the Perth Scorchers in Sydney.

The WBBL boomed in 2016-17 and is expected to be even bigger this summer.

Brisbane Lions’ Kaitlyn Ashmore, Heats’ Delissa Kimmince and Roar's Katrina Gorry. Picture: Peter Wallis

Kimmince, a former Australian cricketer, is multi-talented, having played for the Lions in the inaugural AFLW earlier this year.

“I’m a one-hit wonder – I played one game,” she said.

“I’d love to keep playing footy but in the long-term I think cricket is where I will be.

“I’ve played cricket since I was eight and only started footy two years ago.

“This year will be even more exciting.”

Gorry, known to her teammates as Mini, is one of the country’s top soccer players, starring for the Matildas in their recent Tournament of Nations win.

Delissa Kimmince is a dual-code star. Picture: Adam Smith

The Roar’s women’s team are equal leaders in the W-League and Gorry said the sport was booming for females.

“Women’s sport is doing really well at the moment and all codes are progressing,” she said.

“It’s exciting for everyone. It’s good to be part of such a unique time in Australia.

“We’ve (Matildas) had a really good year and it’s been building blocks for next year for our Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

“People are realising we are good footballers but also have different personalities and people want to be part of it.”

The Lions went within a whisker of winning the inaugural AFLW, losing a thrilling grand final to Adelaide.

They are deep in their preparations for the upcoming season, starting in February, and Ashmore said the competition’s popularity had blown her away.

“I don’t think anyone expected it to be as big as what it was,” she said.

“I would never have expected to have those crowds at a female sporting event.

“It was amazing. People kept coming back and watching round after round.

“We were picked to get the wooden spoon but we had a pretty good season and falling short by that one goal in the grand final was pretty tough.

“Everyone will expect us to be better and I think we will.”

The Heat play their first WBBL home game against the Scorchers at Allan Border Field on December 15.

Originally published as Brisbane’s sports stars ready to dominate in their respective codes