Olympians, footballers and future stars among our Top 15 female athletes of 2024
From Olympians and equestrian riders to netballers and league stars – we’ve named our best female athletes of 2024. Find out who made our list and read a special tribute to one of the Darling Downs greatest female volunteers here.
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Toowoomba and the Darling Downs has a rich and storeyed history of women’s sport.
From thriving local competitions to developing elite athletes, officials and coaches the women’s side of the game is strong in the region.
With the 2024 sporting year wrapped up we’re highlighting the some of the region’s best female athletes.
Before we do that however we’re revisiting a special tribute to longtime AFLQ Darling Downs volunteer Heather Green who died in October 2024.
Green was a prime example of the countless volunteers whose passion and dedication have shaped the women in sport landscape across the region
Her sudden death shocked the AFL Queensland including long time AFL Darling Downs administrator Jeff Neumann.
‘Mother H’, or ‘H’ as Neumman liked to call her, was a great friend.
“It’s devastating, absolutely devastating,” Neumann told this masthead after her death.
“Heather would hate me saying this but she was second to none – an outstanding volunteer, a true icon of Aussie rules and a friend.
“She was like a second mum.
“We used to catch up for coffee all the time and we always scheduled that time to talk about footy but we talked about everything else.”
Here’s our Top 15 Women in Sport of 2024.
15. Ava Black
After impressing as a temporary replacement player in 2023, Black made the jump to full-time Super Netball star in 2024.
Long considered one of Toowoomba’s most promising players, Black was impressive in her debut season for the Sunshine Coast Lightning recording five intercepts, six deflections and a general play turnover in nine games.
14. Kiara Taylor
The traditionally strong Newtown Lions missed out on Toowoomba Rugby League women’s final spot in 2024 but it wasn’t through a lack of effort from Taylor.
Playing at lock, prop and halfback Taylor finished the season as her side’s top try and points scorer.
Taylor was an inspirational figure every time she pulled on the Lions jersey and her efforts did not unnoticed.
Pulling the Lions strings in attack and defence Taylor finished the season as the TRLW Hancock Edwards Medal winner presented to the best female player.
13. Lara Paget
No AFLQ Darling defence was able to tame the Tigers forward in 2024.
Paget kicked a massive 45 goals in 15 games – including 30 in her first four games of the season.
She settled into a playmaker role for her side as the season progressed but remained a goal threat regardless.
12. Chloe Pallisier
One of the region’s most promising junior league stars – Pallisier made her senior debut for the Western Clydesdales this year.
The teen playmaker played in three BMD Premiership matches is headed south now to link up with the Penrith Panthers.
11. Mia Stower
Stower split her time between elite basketball and netball duties in 2024 playing for the Toowoomba Mountaineers and Bond University.
Captaining the Mountaineers she played a leading role in her side’s run to the QSL basketball finals.
Averaging a points and rebounds double-double throughout the season she recorded a season-high of 24 rebounds in a crucial win of the Southern Districts Spartans and scored 19 points in the same game.
9. Mia Byrnes
Byrnes had a 2024 to remember.
A regular in the Western Clydesdales junior rep program she was a key figure in The Glennie School’s Selena Worsley Shield rugby sevens win against Downlands College.
She rounded out her year with selection in the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby Sevens that toured New Zealand.
8. Millie Natalier
An exciting young star who represents the bright future of women’s basketball in Toowoomba.
A lethal point guard Natalier averaged nearly 34 points a game playing for Toowoomba Mountaineers in the Under-16 Girls South Queensland Junior Basketball Competition in early 2024.
7. Tiarna Jericho
Jericho is no stranger to success – leading Toowoomba Tigers to multiple AFLQ Darling Downs women’s titles.
Her 2024 Heather Green medal, presented to the competition’s best female player, will hold a special place in her heart though.
Green died just weeks after attending the AFLQDD awards presentation.
6. Taleah Ackland
The rugby sevens talent added another Queensland jersey to cupboard in 2024 – debuting for the Queensland Reds in the Next Gen Sevens against New South Wales Waratahs.
Ackland, who hopes to one represent Australia, was named in the same side in 2023 but did not see game time.
5. Zara Kruger
After a year with Sydney FC, Warwick teen Kruger came home in 2024 rejoining Brisbane Roar.
The young midfielder has made a number of appearance off the bench for the Roar as well as featuring for the Matildas in rounds 1 and 2 of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
4. Tara Reinke
The former Gatton Hawks star was a standout player and leader in the Western Clydesdales debut BMD Premiership season.
The barnstorming forward co-captained the side with Shenae Ciesiolka and was key figure in the side’s semi-final run.
Her stellar year was acknowledged with Reinke taking out the Steph Hancock Medal for player of the season.
3. Tatum Stewart
Stewart added her name to name to an impressive list of Hockeyroos who hail from Toowoomba.
The 22-year-old scored in her Olympic debut – converting from a set piece to secure a win for Australia in their opening match in Paris.
2. Georgia Voll
Voll wasted no time when she called into the Australia One-Day squad to replace injured skipper Alyssa Healy.
In just her second match she scored 101 of 87 balls only days after scoring an unbeaten 46 on debut.
1. Brooke Neville
Aussie Olympian and Toowoomba rider Christopher Burton inspired Brooke Neville to take up riding again and there is every chance she may inspire a new generation of para equestrian riders.
Neville, who was severely injured in the 2012 high impact single vehicle crash, has her sights on representing Australia one day.
Competing in the intermediate division 2024 – the level below the Olympic Grand Prix – Neville finished Queensland State Para Champion and National Grade 4 Champion in the dressage.
She plans to saddle up in the Grand Prix division in a bid to represent Australia on the grandest of stages.
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