The Chronicle looks at 22 young female athletes on the rise in the Darling Downs
The Darling Downs has an exceptional number of young female athletes excelling. In honour of International Women’s Day, The Chronicle looks at 22 rising athletes set for a huge 2022.
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WITH a plethora of talent ranging across a variety of different sports, there has never been a more diverse group of young female sporting talent on the Darling Downs.
Whether they are making regional or state teams, claiming national gold or preparing for their first shot at glory, young girls and women are making their mark on the sporting landscape.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, The Chronicle looks at 22 rising female sporting stars either based on or from the Darling Downs.
BRIELLE ERBACHER (ATHLETICS)
A genuine star of the distance running ranks, Erbacher continues to excel no matter what meet she has been attending of late.
Has already claimed a win on the Sunshine Coast this year, along with a silver medal at the Adelaide Invitational in the 3000m steeplechase.
JADA FERGUSON (RUGBY LEAGUE/TOUCH)
Ferguson has turned a background in touch football and Rugby Sevens into an NRLW contract with the Brisbane Broncos.
A touch representative for Australia, Ferguson is one of the classiest young players in the country, and has already made her debut in her new code.
PHOEBE BAIRD (AUSSIE RULES)
A junior through the ranks with University, Baird has evolved her game to one of the best on the Darling Downs.
Has risen to the level of QAFLW, and was chosen in the Queensland U19s squad as well as the Brisbane Lions Academy.
MADDISON TEAKLE (SOCCER)
Teakle is one of the more exciting young football prospects to come out of Toowoomba in recent times.
Currently playing in Brisbane, Teakle has scored representative honours for Queensland while playing club football above her age against open women.
ELLA WHITE (HOCKEY)
A rising star in the Toowoomba Hockey ranks for Norths, White is receiving large amounts of recognition for her level of play.
Has been a regular in Queensland outdoor and indoor teams growing up, and recently took part in a training camp watched upon by Hockeyroos officials.
BIANCA MARKHAM (SOFTBALL)
A high achiever in the softball ranks for a number of years now, Markham looks set to go further in the future.
Markham has represented the Darling Downs, Queensland and earned a call-up to the Australian U14s team two years ago.
LAURA CONWAY (BASKETBALL)
Has continually stepped up for the Toowoomba Mountaineers U18s side over the last period, and can take her game to new heights in 2022.
Showed she is equipped to make the leap to open age basketball with a good showing in the Toowoomba Basketball League.
ELLA WILSON (ATHLETICS)
Coming off one of her best seasons to date, Wilson is primed for a huge 2022.
Claimed a pair of gold medals at last year’s nationals for her age group in the 1500m and 3000m events, and a further silver, before being named as the Sports Darling Downs junior athlete of the year.
MEG OSBORNE (SWIMMING)
One of the consistent performers at The Glennie Swim Club, Osborne has amassed an impressive medal tally through her junior years.
Osborne has represented at various state and national events, and is set to continue that form into a new season.
AMY WILLIAMS (NETBALL)
After earning the biggest opportunity of her career, Amy Williams is as motivated as ever for the netball season ahead.
Earned her place in the Queensland training squad, and wants to solidify her spot in the Darling Downs Panthers Ruby Series campaign.
RUTH JOHNSTON (CRICKET)
Shot to prominence on the mainstream with her efforts for the Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL this season.
A product of Dalby, Johnston has been a star with Ipswich in Brisbane grade after showing talent through her junior years growing up.
OLIVIA WEBB (HORSE RACING)
The apprentice jockey made the move to Toowoomba at the start of the year to link with local trainer Jackie Crompton.
Has displayed a real talent in the saddle during the early stages of her career and looks poised to enter into the Clifford Park scene.
SIENNA DEURLOO (SWIMMING)
A swimmer with an aerobic capacity as big as her trophy cabinet.
Deurloo has been in fine touch in recent years, claiming medals at state and national meets while representing the Downs and her state. Recently won a 5km open water event in Adelaide.
BRIANA DASCOMBE (RUGBY UNION)
One of the true stars on this list that will serve as an inspiration for the next gen of rugby players on the Downs.
Dascombe was selected for the Queensland Reds Super W team this year, backing up on a brilliant season of Emilee Cherry Cup with USQ.
ISSY REED (TOUCH/RUGBY)
Has always possessed a dashing turn of foot on the touch field with a representative list to back it up, as well as her exploits with Downs Rugby.
A long time Queensland representative, Reed was chosen in the Australian U18s squad last year and will line up for the Swans U20s women in the NTL.
SOPHIE DALEY (WEIGHTLIFTING)
Made a big impression with her lifting exploits last year, including winning two medals at the All Schools event.
Now is poised for even bigger things after earning selection in the AWF Pathway Squad, giving her the opportunity to train at the AIS.
JAIMIE-LEE STRANG (CRICKET)
Took her game to a new level over the past 12 months, representing South Queensland Country and earning her place at the National Country Championships in Albury.
Perhaps her biggest achievement comes in the form of securing a contract to play in England this season, a big step for the 17-year-old.
MARIA SANTACRUZ (GYMNASTICS)
One of the youngest athletes on the list, Santacruz is aiming high in the field of gymnastics.
Training at the Toowoomba PCYC, the Toowoomba Christian College student aspires of going to the Olympics one day, and took home a swag of medals at the Downs regionals last year, including first overall in level three.
CHRISTINE WATSON (AUSSIE RULES)
A talented sportswoman in both volleyball and basketball, Watson has made the switch to Aussie rules with great success.
Watson was part of the 2021 Tigers premiership winning team, and is a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy.
LEKAYSHA WOODBRIDGE (BOXING)
Is close to being a veteran of the sport despite being so young, Woodbridge has been hitting the bag for eight years.
Fighting out of Smithy’s TGW Gym, Woodbridge gets her biggest opportunity to date this weekend when fighting at home for a Queensland title.
MACKENZIE ZELLER (RUGBY LEAGUE)
A talented league player coming through the ranks at Highfields, Zeller is one of the most progressive girls in the local ranks.
Rewarded with selected in the Queensland Country U17s last year, Zeller is currently plying her trade with the Western Clydesdales in the U19s competition.
CHLOE DENNING (TRIATHLON)
Chloe Denning is set to fly the local flag for Queensland after an incredible triathlon feat at Hervey Bay.
The Pittsworth local claimed a silver medal in the 15-16 years intermediate group at the Queensland School State Championships at Hervey Bay last month.
Consisting of a 500m swim, 15km bike ride and 4km run, Denning was able to defeat all bar one of her competitors, earning her place in the maroon.
It’s the culmination of dedication and hard work at her craft, with dual training sessions helping to reach her peak.
“I train twice a day nearly every day,” Denning said.
“I usually just train individually with my swim coach and run coach, and will occasionally go for a ride and run off the bike.
Still just 15 years old, the Concordia Lutheran College student has taken to the endurance event like a duck to water.
“I started by doing a Swim Run and it all came from there,” she said.
“There’s a little group in Toowoomba I train with that also does triathlons. I’ve been doing it for about five or six years now.
“I like doing it with family and friends as well. We get a little competitive when we train.”
Denning’s attention will now turn to the nationals in September, where Hervey Bay will again be the destination.
“Hervey Bay is a really good circuit where the water is nice and flat usually,” she said.
“I’d really like to do well at the nationals.”
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