Here is a list of top 10 school sport stars to keep an eye on when sport resumes this year
SA has always been a state with strong school pride. While we wait for school sport to get underway, here’s a list of 10 rising stars – including a footballer with AFL players as uncles – to watch in 2020.
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Our schools and colleges are breeding grounds for future stars of SA and Australian sport.
It’s where the elite have got their starts in their chosen sports and not only places kids develop as athletes but also as people.
Here is a list of 10 of our top rising school and community stars among different sports to keep an eye on when they finally get the green light to return:
AFTON PENRITH (Charles Campbell College, Australian rules football)
Penrith is part of Port Adelaide Football Club’s women’s Aboriginal academy and is captain of her school senior football team.
She won the 2019 Campbelltown Council NAIDOC Youth Award and was also named the council’s 2020 Young Citizen of the Year.
DARCY MCROSTIE (Pembroke, cricket)
McRostie was only in Year 10 last year when he led Pembroke to its first Messenger Bowl Twenty20 trophy.
He belted 102, including eight fours and four sixes, during Pembroke’s clash with Adelaide High in December last year.
McRostie, who also featured in SA’s 2019 under-17 squad, is a cricketer to keep an eye on when the season starts this year.
DEMI BATES (Henley High, kayaking)
Bates, a Year 11 student at Henley High, is one of SA’s rising kayaking stars.
She claimed six gold and three silver medals at the 2020 Australian National Kayaking Championships in the under-16 age group earlier this year.
She is part of the Olympic Hopes team which was supposed to compete in Hungary in September this year.
ELLIOT MURADA (Rostrevor College, cycling)
Murada is cementing himself as one of the state’s top young cyclists, under the guidance of Olympic champion and head SASI coach Brett Aitken.
He was the fastest South Australian at the national under-19 road championship in January, finishing eighth.
ETHAN COX (Henley High, soccer)
The Year 11 student is a rising goal keeper, having signed a three-year scholarship contract with Adelaide United last year.
He also represented Australia at the under-16 championships last year, is highly motivated to improve and has strong leadership qualities.
ISAIAH DUDLEY (Prince Alfred College’s first XVIII football)
Footy talent runs deep in Dudley’s bloodlines with Shaun Burgoyne and Eddie Betts as his uncles.
The small forward/midfielder, who is not eligible to be drafted by an AFL club until 2021, is best known for his ability to win stoppages, goal sense, manic pressure, silky skills and team-first attitude.
When the college football season gets underway which is begin on July 26 — week one of Term three — Dudley is certainly a start to watch.
LAUREN YOUNG (Henley High, Australian rules football)
The Year 9 student is part of the school’s football academy.
She was selected in the under-15 All-Australian football team last year after impressing at the national championships.
Young is known for her strong marking, ability to compete well in the air, penetrating long kick and strong fitness.
SAM DUKALSKIS (St Peter’s College first XVIII football)
Dukalskis is a key, tall back who really impressed St Peter’s coach Sam Elliot during the few weeks of training before the COVID-19 pandemic shut sport down.
He previously played as a forward but switching to defence has helped him become better.
Dukalskis is quick and always willing to compete.
TEJAS GILL (Adelaide High, first XI cricket)
He’s only in Year 10 but already Gill is Adelaide High’s first XI most important player.
Gill will captain the side this year and aim to avenge the school’s 2019 Twenty20 Messenger Bowl final loss.
The left-handed opening batter has ‘X factor’ according to the school’s cricket manager Phil Hopton and is known for his ability to stand up in big moments.
THOMAS GRIFFITHS (Rostrevor College, track and field)
Griffiths, a Year 8 student at Rostrevor College, was named Athlete of the Meet after the Little Athletics State Championships in March prior to the COVID-19 sport shutdown.
He claimed gold in the under-14 100m, 200m, high jump and triple jump.
Griffiths was also set to represent the state at the 2020 Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney but the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus.
