BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OPERATIONAL TEAM
Sonya Barber
Program Manager
Steph Shirley
Athlete Development Lead, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Otis Gowa
Speed Specialist Coach
Jaylene Chevalier
Chairperson
Lorna Baker
Director
Amanda Black
Director
Libby Cook-Black
Founder & Managing Director
Tammie Thornton
Director
ABOUT
THE
FEMALE
CO
The Female Co is more than a sporting program. We are a movement, a sisterhood, and a high-performance network for young women chasing big dreams. Founded in Far North Queensland, we use sport as the launchpad for leadership, wellbeing, education, and employment. We’re here to back the next generation of changemakers — on and off the field.
MISSION
Our mission is to sustainably reduce and eventually remove the social and economic barriers that limit women and girls in regional and remote areas of Northern Australia.
VISION
To create an alumni community of truly empowered women and girls in remote and regional locations of Northern Australia, who have what they require to fulfil their dreams, without having to leave their family and support before they are ready.
PURPOSE
To bridge the gap in opportunities for women and girls in Northern Australia that are readily available to our sisters down south metropolitan cities.
WHO WE ARE
Representative “Numbers”
Australian Jillaroos (Australia): Cap #137.
Queensland Maroons (Women): Cap #116. Queensland Rugby League.
Named in the side for the 2016 Interstate Challenge (pre-State of Origin).
Indigenous Women’s All Stars: No official cap list is published for the women’s All Stars.
Libby played and scored for the Indigenous Women’s All Stars in 2016, and was named in the 2017 train-on squad (injury at camp curtailed selection).
Key achievements (Sport & Leadership)
Founder & Managing Director, The Female Co (est. 2023).
Empowering women and girls, especially in remote/regional communities, through sport and education.
Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship (AOICS) recipient (2023/24).
Director, Northern Pride Rugby League (appointed 2022).
Indigenous Marathon Foundation.
Indigenous Marathon Program participant—completed IMF test events and distance milestones; profiled by ABC after her first marathon effort.
Awards & Honours
AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award – Queensland Finalist (2025).
Cairns Regional Council International Women’s Day (2024)
Women’s Recognition Award and Highly Commended (advocacy in women’s sport).
AIEF (Australian Indigenous Education Foundation) Alumna
AIEF scholarship to Pymble Ladies’ College (2011); later Justice/Law studies at QUT.
Our Founder
Our Founder, Libby Cook-Black is a proud Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) woman, former elite athlete, and the visionary behind The Female Co.
With a career spanning professional rugby league, government leadership, and community development, Libby founded The Female Co to break down the barriers she once faced—ensuring young women in regional and remote communities have access to sport, education, and leadership opportunities. Her lived experience, cultural strength, and unwavering belief in the power of women and girls drive everything we do.
She has a wonderful team of trainers, coaches, fitness experts and industry mentors who ensure our level of support and training is of the highest level whilst delivering our programs
