Future netball stars: The QISSN Carnival Best and Fairest players
The QISSN Carnival: We have revealed some of the top netball talents from this year’s event in Mackay. SEE WHO MADE THE BEST AND FAIREST
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With the 2022 QISSN Carnival all wrapped up, we have compiled a list of young stars who shone over the fact-paced week of netball.
Let’s see 44 of the Best and Fairest players named across a variety of schools that attended the Carnival in Mackay.
THE BEST AND FAIREST
Kirsten-Lupe Tanielu (St Peter Claver College, Ipswich)
Lupe-Tanielu played in her third QISSN tournament this year. She has always been a leader in the Claver team, but this year her leadership qualities were on full display, both on and off court.
She was selected as Claver’s MVP - a deserved reward for a player who is an extremely skillful and clever netball player.
Saupo Toeleiu (St Peter Claver College)
Toeleiu is an athletic player who was a dominant defender throughout the QISSN tournament this year. Her strength and aerial ability are a combination that few players of her age possess. She was named in the QISSN Rising Stars Team which was a great recognition for her efforts during the week, especially as a grade 10 student.
Katie Spina (Gilroy Santa Maria College)
In her first year at QISSN, Katie showed maturity above her age. The Year 11 Goal shooter was the shortest girl on the team but the biggest fighter and competitor.
Jade Eckersley (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
Eckersley is an excellent addition to any netball team. Known for her dynamic movement and speed on the court, she was right at home in the fast paced QISSN environment.
Eckersley utilised her physical ability and game knowledge to gain momentum and seamlessly score goal after goal.
Sophie Shaw (Rockhampton Girls Grammar School)
The Year 9 goal defender was a tenacious player that fought hard for every ball.
Her “never say die” attitude really lifted her team in Mackay.
She has an amazing ability to read play and take intercepts that can turn a game.
Courtney Powell (Coomera Anglican College)
Year 12 goal attacker Courtney Powell was the captain of the Coomera Anglican College Open Netball team and showed finesse, leadership and exceptional shooting accuracy at the carnival.
She was a force to be reckoned with, standing strong against some fierce competition.
Macey Egan (Shalom College, Bundaberg)
Experienced Shalom College defender Macey Egan had an extraordinary carnival, playing against some very tall and physical opponents.
Macey never shied away from the physical contest and turned over a large number of balls for Shalom.
She has represented Shalom Netball since Year Seven and her contribution to the netball program will be missed.
Mazn Adams (St James College)
Mazn is a Year 11 centre who provided the service for much of St James’ attack with his crisp passing.
Boasting an enviable vertical leap he manages to bely his small stature and snuff out most attacking moves from the opposition.
He’s an inspirational player and leader.
Bronte Langbridge (St Theresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville)
Rarely do you have the privilege of such a player on your team, in your school and in your life.
Her unassuming personality is one which never attracts lime-light but certainly attracts admiration for the manner in which she conducts herself on and off the court.
Langbridge is a tenacious competitor, approaching her game with the utmost of humility and sportsmanship, a rare combination.
No matter the call on court, whether to her advantage or otherwise, she never gives up.
Abigail Beddoe (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
As the on-court captain of the Southern Cross Catholic College team, Beddoe led by example on and off the court.
Her determination and grit were fundamental in igniting the energy of the entire team. As a defender, Beddoe thrived off of the high pressure moments and was a reliable leader for her teammates.
Lena Tautau (St James College)
In just Year 10, Lena is one of St James’ younger students but her explosive power and skilled passing formed the backbone of much of her school’s attack.
She was vocal on the court, and led by example with her commitment off the court.
Sophia Broomfield (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
Sophia was a standout in this year’s QISSN Carnival. As a goal attack and mid-court player, Broomfield’s athleticism and physical ability set her apart from the crowd.
Speed, power, strength and agility are all apart of her game repertoire.
Bailey Grigg (Shalom College, Bundaberg)
Shalom’s vice captain Bailey Grigg had an amazing carnival for her debut year at QISSN.
She left nothing on the court and gave every game her all, particularly when playing against some very talented Queensland mid-court representatives, holding her own on every occasion. She has been nominated a number of times throughout the carnival as the Most Valuable Player by not only Shalom coaching staff but also from opposition coaching staff.
Nikkia Douglas (Saint Mary’s Catholic College, Kingaroy)
Nikkia was a huge asset to her young team throughout the QISSN Carnival.
She not only brought great skills to each game but her support of all team members especially the new and younger players made her St. Mary’s best and fairest player.
Alice Murfett (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
While the Grade Nine isn’t the tallest netball player, her playing ability is anything but small.
Fitting nicely into the mid-court, Murfett utilised her speed to create space and pure grit to gain possession.
She had a fantastic QISSN Carnival, her passion and determination was very valuable to her team.
Kiera Heffernan (Trinity College Beenleigh)
Kiera is brilliant in both attack and defence. Her encouragement as a leader is outstanding which lifts the confidence in her teammates.
She plays every pass with calculated precision and her positivity on court is infectious.
Molly Wilcox (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
At her first QISSN carnival, Wilcox was a great asset to the Southern Cross Catholic College team.
She showed great strength and a high shooting percentage in the shooting circle as a starting Goal Shooter.
The Grade Nine demonstrated great versatility when applying defensive pressure in the position of Wing Defence.
Bella Eldon (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
Eldon, SCGS’s co-captain had an impressive tournament in the defencive end of the court. She led from the front with smart game play, strong skills, lots of passion and as a driving force for her teammates.
Izzy Lead (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
While predominantly a Goal Shooter, Lead was an all-rounder this year during the QISSN Carnival.
Her skills transfer seamlessly between numerous mid-court and attacking positions.
She always gave her best and excelled in any position she was playing.
Ruby Stephenson (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
Stephenson was a wise attacking team member. Her forward movement and presence both on the edge of the circle and within the circle ensured a quick transition and consistent opportunities for her attacking teammates.
Eden Hoolahan (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
Watching Hoolahan’s performance on the court, you could have never guessed that she was in a moon-boot until two weeks before the start of the QISSN carnival.
After having a fractured foot, Hoolahan hit the ground running and did not miss a beat the entire carnival. Her ability to bounce back is a great example of her determination and strength as a character.
Samara Fabila (Trinity College Beenleigh)
Fabila has the ability to control the pace of the game with her communication skills as a vice captain.
Her strong leads and hand over pressure is a skill which she has perfected over her years on the court.
Sienna Jones (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
Jones is a very successful netballer at the club, representative and state levels.
Her QISSN performance was outstanding. She’s not one to shy away from a physical contest or strong opposition.
She went into every match with the determination to do her absolute best and was a standout with her body-on style of defence.
Ciara Carlson (Trinity College Beenleigh)
Carlson, Year 11, was her team’s spirit captain, with the loudest cheer in Queensland.
She can shoot from anywhere in the circle and switches into defence when required.
Maddy Kouvaras (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
Kouvaras’ netball smarts were key in her performance in the mid-court and her team’s success.
At Centre, her exceptional patience, creativity and connection with her shooters was the strength of her QISSN Carnival campaign.
Bella Ivey (Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough)
Ivey was the co-captain of her team and achieves everything she sets her mind to.
However, suffering from a ruptured ligament in her ankle, Ivey was unable to play this year’s Carnival. Still travelling with the team, she played one of the most important roles in supporting, encouraging and captaining her team from the side-line.
Sitting on the bench is hard for any player, credit to Ivey’s character, the Year 10 remained positive and was a great role model for the entirety of her team.
Maya Cooper (St Mary’s College, Ipswich)
Despite being one of the youngest members on the team, the Year 10 showed maturity, composure and game awareness at her first QISSN Carnival.
She is the St Mary’s College goal shooter due to her height advantage and ability to intercept ball and convert into points.
Despite Cooper coming into this carnival injured she was an asset to the team and top goal scorer.
Elila Carter (Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia)
Carter is a tall, fast moving player who can always be relied on to turn over a ball.
The Year 10 was such a hard working and consistent player for her team at the QISSN Carnival.
Gemma Thomas (St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville)
Despite not always being on a winning team, Thomas was a winner in the goal stakes as well as on a personal level.
The Year 12 is a faith filled young lady who is a quiet achiever on and off the court. She works consistently on her technique which is reflected in her shooting accuracy.
Zoe Allum (Trinity College Beenleigh)
Allum is her team’s super shot specialist. She can shoot with confidence from anywhere in the circle.
She always plays with a positive attitude and has a smile from ear to ear.
Tia Browning (St Catherine’s Catholic College, The Whitsundays)
Browning was a huge asset to the team throughout the course of the carnival. She is a utility player utilised at WD for a majority of the carnival.
The Year 10 consistently applied hands over pressure to passes, took intercepts and was an added option in attack, working well with her centre and wing attack to bring the ball all the way down to the transverse line.
Jacob Dewis (St Catherine’s Catholic College, The Whitsundays)
Valuably, Dewis defended for his team against quality opposition.
His technique improved throughout the carnival as he kept his contacts and obstructions minimal, and caused numerous intercepts and turnovers during each game.
As a Year 11, Dewis will be a player to watch for the boys QISSN team again next year.
Hayley Jackson (St Mary’s College, Ipswich)
Jackson has represented St Mary’s College at QISSN for the past 2 years. In 2021, she was awarded with MVP and this year she continued her great form.
Her intensity and ability to read the play in defence resulted in many turnovers and at times changed the game.
Jacksons maturity and knowledge of the game was a great asset to her team.
Gracie O’Connor (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)
O’Connor, year 11, was SCGS’s co-captain who showed outstanding leadership and versatility throughout the tournament, leading and supporting her team in various positions.
Laura Ashmore-Smith (Mt Maria College, Mitchelton)
Ashmore-Smith was the Mt Maria College best and fairest because of her adaptability to playing new positions, her incredible presence in attack and defence and her determination and fairness on and off the court.
Blackheath & Thornburgh College, Charters Towers
The Blackheath & Thornburgh College First Netball team improved immensely since the beginning of the year.
Through their participation at the QISSN Carnival their netball skills, teamwork and communication has improved out of sight.
Every girl stepped up to the level of competition and brought their “A game.”
Sienna Adams (St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville)
Adams, year 12, is a selfless captain. She is always ready to assist others, gives her all and is consistent with effort on and off the court.
Her leadership ability has been most evident in her ability to mentor younger players.
Sophia Galati (Shalom College, Bundaberg)
Shalom was certainly lucky when Galati was added to the squad this year. She hardly missed a shot all carnival and performed extremely well across the week.
Her caring and considerate nature has been a breath of fresh air and her off-court contribution and commitment to Shalom’s QISSN team has been just as valuable as her on court presence.
Baylee Boyd (Siena Catholic College)
Boyd is the only player in the history of Siena Catholic College who has been a part of the QISSN team since Grade Eight.
This year as team captain she not only had outstanding skill ability on the court but led by example off the court. She is someone who inspires her teammates to be the best versions of themselves on court and to always perform at their best.
Tia Molo (St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge)
Tia Molo (Year Nine), had a fantastic week at her first QISSN Carnival.
Playing centre each game, Molo was a standout on the court and was an asset to her team. She was named in the QISSN Rising Stars Team for 2022.
Bronte Gray (The Cathedral College, Rockhampton)
Gray was TCC’s Most Valuable Player for the Carnival. She is a gun goalkeeper who always brings effort, intensity and her A game to make the opposition shooters doubt themselves.
Grace Gabriel (The Cathedral College, Rockhampton)
Gabriel thrives on pressure and relishes the intensity and tactics of the big games. She is elusive, fast and can defend as well as she attacks. She was a standout at the Carnival and is one to watch next year.
Olivia Busby (The Cathedral College, Rockhampton)
Busby was relentless in her efforts for the entire carnival and gave her most consistent performance yet.
She was a huge asset to the team in terms of her never say die attitude, and always bringing positive vibes.
Holly Comyns (Canterbury College, Waterford)
Comyns’ tenacious defence was game changing throughout QISSN. Averaging 20 turnovers a game, her performance was rewarded with selection in the Rising Stars team.
Ema Wood (Canterbury College, Waterford)
Wood is the quiet achiever. Her maturity on the court and ability to lead was a huge asset to her team’s campaign. Woods closing speed in defence is her best on court weapon.
Aaliyah Sheppard (Canterbury College, Waterford)
Sheppard is a fierce competitor. Her leadership on court throughout QISSN was a huge asset to her team and was matched by her incredible strength and speed and capacity to read the game.
Originally published as Future netball stars: The QISSN Carnival Best and Fairest players
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