Central Qld’s top female sports identities revealed for 2024
From champion athletes to admired administrators, we name 10 of the leading females figures from the past 12 months. See who made the list and how a much-loved volunteer will be remembered after losing her cancer battle.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Females continue to prove a formidable force on the Central Queensland sporting stage, be it as competitors, coaches or administrators.
With another year over, we take a look back at some of the key identities who made it big on the field or made a big impression behind the scenes.
We also remember one of the most influential volunteers, whose contribution will never be forgotten after a perpetual award at the rugby league club she loved was named in her honour.
Jenny Hilcher was the familiar and friendly face behind the merchandise stall at the CQ Capras’ home games at Browne Park.
Her personality was infectious and her positivity inspiring.
A long-serving volunteer with the Capras, Jenny was also a tireless community advocate. She worked to improve the lot of those impacted by cancer, the disease which decimated her family and would ultimately take her life in early March.
Capras’ CEO Peter White said at the time that Jenny would be sadly missed, describing her as bubbly, happy and vibrant, and a “really important part of our Capras family”.
That sporting family has honoured her incredible legacy by introducing the “Jenny Hilcher Courage is Calling Award”.
White said the perpetual award could be won by any member of the club.
“Jenny was truly special,” he said.
“We, as a club, wanted to pay recognition to her and the wonderful person she was and how much she contributed to not only our club but the broader community as well.”
Q-Cup sensation Lachlan Hubner was the inaugural winner in 2024.
Tamika Upton (rugby league)
Tamika Upton continued to fasten her grasp on the title of the number one player in women’s rugby league.
The four-time premiership winner was named the Newcastle Knights NRLW Player of the Year for the second consecutive year after helping the team to a third-straight finals finish.
She starred in Queensland winning the historic three-game State of Origin series and was instrumental in the Jillaroos taking out the Pacific Cup final against New Zealand.
Upton will rejoin the Brisbane Broncos this season after her dynamic stint with the Knights.
Isabelle Shearer (netball)
Isabelle Shearer’s netball dream became a reality this year when she hit the court with the Queensland Firebirds in the Suncorp Super Netball season.
A Rockhampton junior, she had made four appearances before playing her first full game in Round 11.
The 189cm defender said it was “so surreal” to be playing alongside her childhood sporting heroes.
Shearer has re-signed for the 2025 season, with Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills saying she was looking forward to seeing her develop into a player who could have a great impact for the Firebirds.
Tai Wakelin-Gray (basketball)
An on-court workhorse, Tai Wakelin-Gray played a pivotal role in the Rockhampton Cyclones clinching the NBL1 North championship.
The Drew Fenton-coached outfit came back from one game down in the finals to clinch the remaining two games and the crown, reversing the result of the 2023 series.
Wakelin-Gray has been a mainstay of the Cyclones outfit and an ever-consistent performer.
She stepped up when the team lost Elizajane Loader to a shoulder injury in Game 1, coming into the starting line-up and helping lead the way to a monumental victory.
Barb Knowles (hockey)
Her name is synonymous with hockey and Barb Knowles was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday 2024 honours list for her service to the game.
She first started playing at age 12 and went on to achieve state and national rep honours and willingly take on positions such as coach, umpire and official.
Her on-field dedication was matched by her contribution off the field, which included a lengthy stint as Rockhampton Hockey Association president.
Knowles was instrumental in securing funding for the association’s two synthetic surfaces, and the driving force behind the first international hockey series played in the city in 2006 as well as the Oceania Cup in 2019.
Hayley Richmond (Aussie rules)
Hayley Richmond’s story tore at the heartstrings, proving to be one of the most inspirational of the year.
The Rockhampton Panthers’ inspirational co-captain came back from cancer to win the AFL Capricornia women’s flag with her teammates.
It provided a fairytale finish to her Aussie rules career, which was punctuated by a shock cancer battle after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2023.
Richmond underwent a four-month course of chemotherapy before going on to realise her dream of returning to the field.
Kim Reibel, Toni Chirio (hockey)
Kim Reibel celebrated the greatest achievement of her hockey playing career with her younger sister Toni Chirio by her side.
The siblings were members of the Australian over-40 women’s team that was victorious at the Masters World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Aussies were unbeaten at the 10-day tournament, clinching the title with a penalty stroke in the closing stages of a gripping grand final against Argentina.
Reibel described the victory as a “dream” and the “best win ever”.
Taryn Roberts (swimming)
Teenage sensation Taryn Roberts continues to leave rivals in her wake in the pool and the open water.
The superfish continued to add to impressive medal tally in 2024.
She won three gold and three silver at nationals, six gold and six silver at short course and four gold, four silver and two bronze at Queensland states, as well as two gold at the open water nationals.
But perhaps the crowning glory came when she made two Open A finals at the Olympic swim trials, finishing fifth in the 400m individual medley and sixth in the 800m freestyle.
Anna Young (netball)
Experienced coach and player Anna Young has been charged with guiding the Capricorn Claws on their return to regional representative netball court.
She said she was “really excited” to be part of the revival of the team, who will make their return in the newly established Ruby North competition.
The Claws last played in 2019 in the Queensland Premier League.
Young said she was excited about the depth of talent among the 50 players who turned up for the first trials in December.
Leanne Caban (barrel racing)
Leanne Caban continued her dominance in barrel racing.
At age 56, she claimed both the Barrel Racing and All Around Cowgirl titles at the APRA National Finals Rodeo for the third consecutive year.
The Emerald cowgirl has been one of the most consistent performers on the circuit since setting an Australian barrel racing record at the iconic Mt Isa Rodeo in 1994, which stood for six years.
As well as her stellar success in the arena, Caban is also an accomplished horse breeder and trainer.
Lily Woods (athletics)
Lily Woods appears to be on the fast track to athletics success.
She is following in the footsteps of her mum and mentor Melanie Woods (nee Kleeberg), who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
After just three years in the sport, the 14-year-old is taking great strides in the sprints and jumping events.
Woods showed her class by breaking a 28-year-old record in the 100m at the North Queensland Championships in Townsville.
More Coverage
Originally published as Central Qld’s top female sports identities revealed for 2024
Howzat! Rocky, Gladstone clash in exciting women’s cricket first
Rockhampton took the honours in the inaugural Women’s Intercity Championship but victorious skipper Olivia Dean believes female cricketers across the region will be the big winners if the concept expands.
Leading Rocky trainers hit the road, chasing similar racing goals
John Wigginton and Clinton Taylor are headed in different directions as they look to qualify runners for key races.
Upton’s homecoming inspires next gen rugby league stars
Broncos NRLW superstar Tamika Upton is Vegas-bound with the Jillaroos team but still found time to make a quick pitstop in her hometown to inspire future heroes. See the photos.
Why Rocky Cyclones’ recruitment hasn’t been a walk in the park
Chris Muggeridge has faced some challenges on his return as head coach of the Rockhampton Cyclones. He reveals them here.
Who starred for Capras U17, U19 teams in Round 1 action
The Capras under-17 girls got the points while the club’s three other teams were all edged by the same margin in their season openers at the weekend. See what the coaches had to say, the players who impressed and every one of the teams’ point scorers in our full wrap.
Rockhampton forum spotlights women’s safety in contact sports
A leading researcher and two former Australian representatives will be among the special guests at this weekend’s Queensland Country Women’s Rugby Forum in Rockhampton. Read what it’s all about.