Brielle Erbacher (athletics) had two brutal falls at consecutive hurdles in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games but won the hearts of the crowd at Alexander Stadium by bravely continuing to the finish where she was greeted by Australia’s other competitor Amy Cashin. It was a devastating result for the Toowoomba native who was enjoying a stellar year including her second place at the Australian nationals, a PB of 9:32.96 at the Payton Jordan International in the US, a win at the Oceania titles and a world championships debut in Eugene where she placed 11th in her heat before heading to Birmingham a fortnight later.

Brielle played most sports at school and began Little Athletics in the under 9s before focusing on steeplechase in her mid-teens. Rising through Queensland’s junior ranks, she gained selection for the World Junior Championships in Finland in 2018 before graduating into the senior ranks the following year. She just missed selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In 2023, Brielle competed at her second world championships in Budapest where she was accompanied by her mother and coach Jody Erbacher. She again place 11th in her heat.

Outside of athletics, Brielle works for her family’s business Nxtgen Commercial Services, an artificial grass supply and installation company.