Doyle started judo at the age of 10, and three years later, she joined the British Judo team. Doyle competed at the inaugural World Judo Championships for women in 1980. She was one of seven judoka at the event, and won a bronze medal. She came third at the 1980 European Judo Championships, and second at the 1981 and 1982 European Judo Championships. She won the under-52 kg title at the 1982 World Judo Championships. In 1983, Doyle won the under-52 kg event at the European Judo Championships in Genoa, Italy. Doyle had to pay her own costs to compete at the 1984 World Judo Championships; she had to borrow the money from her father. In the Championships, Doyle suffered a separated shoulder and had to be taken to hospital.