Community & Business
17 December, 2025
NRLW premiership trophy in Oakey
Brisbane Bronco and Oakey State School alumnus Shenae Ciesiolka brought the NRLW Premiership Trophy to her old school last week.
Shenae, Jada Ferguson, and inaugural Brisbane Bronco Michael Hancock spoke with Oakey students about what it was like being a professional football player, and the habits and routines that helped get them there.
Hancock told the students that even footballers as famous as Reece Walsh need to think about what they want to do as a career after football.
Listening in the Assembly Hall were children of Shenae’s former classmates, and former Junior Bears executive member Craig Commens, whose daughter Alice was one of the only other girls in the entire district playing rugby league when Shenae was growing up in Oakey.
Following a Q&A session with students, the three Broncos ran a few games inside the hall, before posing with every Oakey State School class for photos.
“It’s really exciting and special to be back in my home town,” Shenae said.
“To be able to bring the trophy back here is really exciting, to see the kids as well and how happy they were to see us.
“It’s really cool to see whether you’re from Oakey or any small town that anything is possible... that no matter where you’re from, it’s okay to achieve whatever you can and get to the best level.”
Reflecting on her junior career in a sport dominated by boys, Shenae said she got into league through her dad Brett, a coach, and older brother Brodie, a TRL A Grade player with Oakey and Wattles.
“They really inspired me,” she said.
Support from family and friends was definitely needed, as at some Southern Queensland junior rep carnivals, Shenae would be the only girl amongst over a hundred boys.
“I used to play with headgear to kind of hide (my gender) - the boys would go ‘smash him’ and when they’d tackle me, they’d say ‘Wait, it’s a girl!’,” she said.
Cousin Jada Ferguson, who grew up at Bunker’s Hill State School in Westbrook, which the pair also visited during their tour, spoke about the inspiration Shenae provided growing up, and how the support of their family, many of whom still live in the Region continues to motivate them.
“Nan (Beryl, who still lives in Oakey) will always text us good luck before each game, and tell us that we’re her favourites,” she said.
Fifteen years on from Shenae’s experience, women’s football is part and parcel of the sporting culture in Oakey, with the Bears Women making it to the TRL Grand Final this year.
At Oakey State School, there are now girls teams playing football and holding their own in the Western Clydesdales Cup.
The footballing cousins will continue to play for the Brisbane Broncos next year, as the club aims to defend the NRLW Premiership it won against the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium last October.
