10 biggest Toowoomba sporting moments of 2023

From racism scandals, to decade-long droughts broken, we reveal the biggest sporting moments in Toowoomba for 2023. Did we get it right?

From Matt Denny starring in the Diamond League, to the Western Clydesdales returning to the Queensland Cup after more than 15 years out of the competition, it was a big year for sport in the Garden City.

There were young stars who put their name into the spotlight and veterans who proved that age is just a number as they continued to wind back the clock in various sports.

However, Toowoomba was also rocked by a racism incident which took place at a junior rugby league game this year.

Here is our look at Toowoomba’s biggest sporting moments of 2023.

Ava Black of the Lightning in action during the round 11 Super Netball match between Sunshine Coast Lightning and Collingwood Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

10. Ava Black signs with Sunshine Coast Lightning

There is a new icon in the realms of Toowoomba sport by the name of Ava Black.

At just 20 years of age, the young netballer has made a meteoric rise through the netball world and in 2023, broke into the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s full-time squad as an injury replacement.

Her efforts were recently rewarded as she has now signed a full-time deal with the Lightning for 2024.

9. Tom ‘Big Train’ Nolan signs with UFC

Toowoomba fighter Tom ‘Big Train’ Nolan has taken the next step in his MMA career, signing on to make his UFC debut next month.

After an impressive record as an amateur, Nolan went full-time professional this year and currently has a pro record of 6-0.

Nolan’s performances earned praise from UFC promoter Dana White, who handed the Toowoomba star his first official UFC contract.

“6’3 (1.9m), 155lbs (70kg), he’s the extreme killer, only 23 years old,” White said.

“The only thing I have to say about this kid is – you have a bright future, Tom Nolan.”

Nolan’s debut UFC fight will be against Nikolas Motta at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on January 14 Australian time.

Judah Magarey with his medal after winning the state championship.

8. Judah Magarey breaks record

Young Toowoomba runner Judah Magarey put the nation on notice when the 10-year-old set a new Queensland record for the 1500m for his age with a time of four minutes and 50.99 seconds at the Queensland Representative School Sports Track and Field State Championships.

The young gun dreams of competing at the Olympics and with the Brisbane 2032 Games less than nine years away, he has the perfect chance to represent both Toowoomba and Australia on the biggest stage in front of a sea of green and gold.

SWQ Thunder Women Celebrate their Semi Final Win over Broadbeach United Photo: David Lobwein / DSL Photography

7. SWQ Thunder make grand final

The South West Queensland Thunder women were a force to be reckoned with in the FQPL1 this season as they made an incredible run to the grand final.

After finishing the regular season in second place, the Thunder earned a home semi-final against Broadbeach United with a spot in the grand final held at Suncorp Stadium on the line.

South West Queensland rose to the occasion and claimed an emphatic 5-0 over Broadbeach.

However, the Brisbane City juggernaut proved too strong as it claimed a 5-1 win over the Thunder in the grand final.

Shenae Ciesiolka of the Maroons breaks away during game one of the Women’s State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. Picture: Getty Images

6. Shenae Ciesiolka and Emily Bass put NSW to the sword in Origin

Darling Downs duo Shenae Ciesiolka and Emily Bass put in stellar performances for Queensland in game one of the Women’s State of Origin series.

Ciesiolka stood tall in the series opener, putting in a player of the match performance as she thwarted the New South Wales attack on several instances and played a pivotal role in setting up two second half tries.

One of those tries belonged to Toowoomba’s Emily Bass, who crossed over to score a key try in the Maroons’ 18-10 win.

5. TJRL racism incident

One of the biggest talking points in junior rugby league this year was the racism incident which marred the competition.

During a clash between Gatton and South Burnett on Saturday, June 10, a 15-year-old boy and his Indigenous teammates were subject to racist abuse.

However, in a shock move, the TJRL opted to not publicise the penalties handed down to the offenders.

4. Clydesdales’ first win

After more than 15 years out of the premier Queensland rugby league competition, the Western Clydesdales made their return to the Hostplus Cup in 2023.

After some promising signs from the opening games, the Clydesdales broke through to claim their first win in round 5, when they defeated the Ipswich Jets 44-28 in an end-to-end contest.

However, while the Clydesdales’ return was a cause for mass celebration, the Toowoomba club was left under fire from the Australian Rugby League Commission.

In emails obtained by this masthead NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said: “The ARLC, as you are aware, has not approved the participation of the Western Clydesdales in the QRL Hostplus Cup and does not consider that such participation is in the best interests of the game as a whole”.

Fortunately, several Hostplus Cup sides, politicians and NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett all threw their hat in the ring in support of the Toowoomba club.

Toowoomba Mountaineers players Francisca Donders (left) and Tracey Twidale celebrate a freethrow being awarded in the match against Northside Wizards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

3. Mountaineers women return to semi-finals

The Toowoomba Mountaineers women’s team ended a drought which lasted more than a decade this year when they broke into the QSL1 semi-finals.

Finishing third on the ladder after the regular season with an impressive 11 wins from 14 games, the Mountaineers took on the Gold Coast Rollers in the playoffs but fell just short of a grand final berth, losing to the Rollers by just five points.

Matthew Denny during the 2023 Prefontaine Classic and Wanda Diamond League Final. Picture: Getty Images.

2. Matt Denny wins Diamond League

Discuss champion Matt Denny showed he means business ahead of the Paris 2024 Games as he broke a national record in September’s Diamond League final held in Oregon.

The Toowoomba hero produced an outstanding throw of 68.43 metres in the final round to take home the championship.

Highfields Eagles Under 19 captain Declan Ryan receives the trophy on TRL grand final day.

1. Declan Ryan field goal

Highfields Eagles under-19 captain Declan Ryan capped off an incredible run for the team over the last two years with an individual piece of brilliance to win the Toowoomba Rugby League U19 premiership in golden point.

After surviving a late push from Valleys Roosters in the dying seconds of second half, the Eagles held firm to send the game to golden point, where Ryan stood tall.

With the first major opportunity in golden point, Ryan slotted home a premiership-winning field goal in his final act as a Highfields player, with the youngster set to join the Canberra Raiders Jersey Flegg side next year.