25 TO WATCH: FNQ sport’s rising stars set for a massive year
We’ve whittled down a very long and accomplished list of talented young athletes across a multitude of disciplines to just 25 rising stars of FNQ sport who are set for a massive year. Do you agree with our list?
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The lack of representative sporting events in 2020 means this year’s regional, state and national championship opportunities become even more important for the Far North’s rising stars.
We’re whittled down a very long and accomplished list of talented young athletes across a multitude of disciplines to just 25 rising stars who are set for a massive 2021.
Is there anyone you think we missed? Let us know in the comments or send an email to sport@cairnspost.com.au.
Aaron Dempsey (football)
An attacking midfielder who caught the eye of former A-League player Zenon Caravella, Aaron Dempsey is an example of the results which come with the relentless pursuit of a dream.
He will soon move to St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, and be part of the Brisbane Roar Academy squad, a move the Dempsey family has tried to make happen for years.
He will complete his schooling at Gregory Terrace and train with the Roar’s academy squad, which combines the under-18s and under-23s in what Dempsey said will be among the biggest challenges of his young footballing life.
Abby Toshach (cricket)
Already a Queensland Country representative, Atherton’s Abby Toshach has long been on the radar as a talented cricketer.
Toshach, who also plays hockey, was recently one of nine Cricket Far North representatives named in the Northern Country in the NQ Open Women’s Championships team.
An outstanding batter who played for Sunshine Coast in the Katherine Raymont Shield in September - scoring one half-century - and generally opens the batting for Atherton, Toshach is in for another big year.
Aleeah Davern (football)
The exciting young attacking midfielder just won a FNQ Premier League grand final at Leichhardt, and now Aleeah Davern is chasing her dream of a professional football career.
Davern will move to the capital city to finish her schooling at Marsden State High School, and will likely play for QAS in the NPL.
She will train with both the under-18s and U23s teams, and may be a chance to return to the National Training Centre Challenge, where she’s previously played for the Brisbane Roar.
Alex Davies (Aussie rules)
Alex Davies has been described as having the potential to be the best Aussie rules export from the Far North.
The former Manunda Hawks junior and Gold Coast Suns Academy talent was officially drafted by the Suns at the end of 2020, and has impressed plenty of people with his attitude to training and development.
That’s even before you consider his physical attributes and skill with the footy, which could have him poised for the big show before the year is out.
Allessandra Smith-Ani (netball)
The rising goal shooter proved herself as one of the most accurate in Cairns Netball’s Division 1 competition last season.
Allessandra Smith showed her talents at the attacking end of the court for Sharks as they enjoyed a successful campaign.
She is often unfazed by the physical nature of her defenders and still manages to find her target - which went a long way to her inclusion in the initial Northern Rays squad for the 2021 Sapphire Series.
Amelia Harris (golf)
Amelia Harris has made such massive improvement on the golf course the 12-year-old must be considered among the favourites for any golf tournament she plays from now on.
The rising star of Far North fairways finished just three strokes behind Annabelle Hutchings in the City of Cairns Women’s Classic last year, and has consistently shown she is on par with women sometimes five times her age.
She has a long way to go in her development, but given the way she’s developed in recent years it would take a brave person to suggest she couldn’t mix it with the best.
Andria Heard (basketball)
Andria Heard is an athletic scorer, who led the Queensland North Junior Basketball Championships in scoring for the Cairns Dolphins and leads the scoresheet in most of her on-court appearances.
Heard shines in transition and playing at pace, has a motor that runs hot and was regarded as one of the most exciting talents to watch on the offensive end at the under-18 state championships on the Gold Coast.
The 15-year-old played her first U18 state championship in January, and that experience - plus the hours she undoubtedly pour onto the court - could elevate her to a new level by the year’s end.
Annabelle Hutchings (golf)
Annabelle Hutchings is already considered one of the best golfing talents in FNQ, and this could be the year she goes to another level.
She has the resilience, poise, focus and talent in spades; but, most importantly, can put it together when she needs it most to succeed.austin
When Hutchings won her third straight City of Cairns Women's Classic in July last year, she spoke of her long-term plans to turn pro and feature in a tour event.
Austin Harris (Aussie rules)
FNQ talent Austin Harris is on track to be another Gold Coast Suns selection late next year after being included in the AFL academy squad.
The Cairns Saints junior, who has relocated to the Gold Coast to be a full-time member of the Suns Academy, was last month included in a 21-player squad selected by the AFL, in conjunction with several club recruiters, to be a part of the academy program next year.
Like fellow AFL Cairns junior Alex Davies this year, Harris is expected to be elevated to the Suns’ senior list if he continues his outstanding form.
Cade Coghlan (hockey)
A confident midfielder who uses his size and athleticism and is very strong on the ball, Cade Coghlan has turned his Cairns Hockey form into state representative squad selections.
Coghlan started 2021 in a state indoor hockey training squad, and he is part of Queensland’s U18 Boys squad for the national championships in Launceston in April.
He catches the eye as he likes to run with the ball and possesses great distribution on both sides of the field.
Chantelle Tikitau (netball)
A long-term representative netball player, Chantelle Tikitau possesses unmatched energy and enthusiasm on top of her top-notch shooting ability.
A training partner for Queensland’s 19-and-under side and a Netball World Youth Cup representative for the Cook Islands in 2017, Tikitau has been waiting for another major opportunity to show what she’s capable of on the court.
Tikitau was included in the Northern Rays’ initial squad for the 2021 Sapphire Series.
Chris Adams (cricket)
The Atherton cricketer made his first appearance for the Far North’s open representative team this season after impressing in the local competition, and for the under-21s - for whom he blasted 147.
He has had a lean run in the CFN first grade competition this season, despite scoring a half century, but has there are plenty of very good cricket judges around the region who hold him in high esteem.
The current season is halfway through, but a strong finish - and some eye-catching knocks if he’s picked up for the first Barrier Reef Big bash - could further his standing as a future player to watch.
Heilum Luki (rugby league)
Another young star who appeared on our corresponding list last year, Heilum Luki has long been touted a future North Queensland Cowboy.
The Cairns product has been on development deals with the NRL side, and has spent this off-season training with Todd Payten’s team after spending 2020 carving up in both rugby league and union.
He will return to the Northern Pride in 2021 as develops his skills, with a view to impressing the Cowboys and locking down a bigger future role.
Ike Martinez (swimming)
A personal best in the 200m butterfly earned Ike Martinez the title of the fastest 13-year-old in Australia’s history, as he smashed a 19-year Australian record last year - and he did it twice.
Martinez is arguably the most talented swimmer coming out of the Far North, after he was crowned state age champion for the 14-year-old boys (he won seven gold and one silver at the state championships).
He is eyeing even bigger competition this year, as he prepares for his first nationals campaign at the 2021 Australian Age Swimming Championships in April.
Jack Bowen-Bowyer (rugby league)
The Hope Vale product turned heads while playing rugby union at Brisbane Boys’ College, spent time in the Melbourne Storm’s development system and, most recently, trained with the Cowboys for an intense six-week block before the Christmas break.
Now, Jack Bowen-Bowyer has a chance to prove why he’s such a sought-after talent when he lines up for the Northern Pride in the Intrust Super Cup.
The Pride have plenty of young players on their books this year, making it the perfect opportunity for a man of Bowen-Bowyer’s talents to stand up and impress.
Jeremiah Nanai (rugby league)
Regarded as one of the best young talents in rugby league, Jeremiah Nanai will return to the Far North as he develops his career.
Contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, Nanai won the inaugural Michael Morgan Medal for his Payne Cup exploits at Kirwan Bears last year, and will this year be allocated to the Northern Pride for when he’s not on duty at the Cowboys.
An Intrust Super Cup debut is on offer for Nanai, in what will be his first full season playing against men - the biggest test of his rugby league potential.
Joel Mundie (swimming)
Australian age record-holder, Joel Mundie could make big moves towards achieving the Paralympic dream this year.
Central Cairns Swimming’s Mundie was crowned state champion in two events at the Queensland Short Course Championships in Brisbane last year, and will in June - provided the schedule doesn’t change - attempt to qualify for the Australian Paralympic team.
If he misses out on selection, it will be an invaluable experience for Mundie who will undoubtedly set his sights on 2024.
Kaiyla Ward (rugby league)
Kaiyla Ward could pick either rugby code and she would be among the first to make a list like this.
Ward has long been on the radar of respected rugby league coaches, and this year may finally get the opportunity to press her claims via the BHP Premiership.
She tried her hand at rugby union in 2020 after her usual league competitions were cancelled, and Ward showed how easily her skills transferred the other code.
The Kangaroos and Gold Stars will have plenty of opportunities to impress in the 13-player code this year.
Kane Runnalls (basketball)
A natural basketball talent who is considered one of the best talents in the country when he’s switched on and ready to play.
Kane Runnalls has shone for any representative team he’s been part of
The 208cm guard/forward can impose his will on any game on both ends of the floor and can impact a game in many ways.
Kent Ward (baseball)
An infielder or pitcher with the Cairns City Reds, Kent Ward is one of the region’s most talented and promising baseballers.
The 15-year-old is starting the year in Brisbane to participate at the Baseball Queensland Showcase, which has brought together the best under-16 and U18 athletes in the state.
Strong performances there will thrust his name into contention for state teams and even more opportunities down the line, though Ward will be out to maintain the consistency which has made him a top baseball talent.
Kitara Whap-Farrar (Aussie rules)
The South Cairns and Pyramid Power junior was one of five Gold Coast players to be delisted as part of a list lodgement for the AFLW Sign and Trade period in the middle of August.
The Jo Butland Medal winner for best and fairest player in the AFL Cairns competition was one of the Suns’ first signings when they started their AFLW club, but a knee injury hurt any chance she had of earning another contract this year.
She has been given a lifeline of sorts, being included in the Brisbane Lions train-on squad for the 2021 season, providing her with an outstanding opportunity to bounce back and keep her AFL career on track.
Luke Rantucci (football)
An impressive attacking player for Stratford and FNQ in 2020, Luke Rantucci is one of several young footballers moving to Brisbane to live, learn, study and follow his dreams on the pitch.
Rantucci was a leading goalscorer of Stratford’s treble-winning Colts team, and has long been considered a player to watch in football circles.
His move to Ipswich Grammar School provides him a fantastic opportunity to show why he’s one of our best up and coming exports.
Morgan Stanton (football)
Morgan Stanton will take crucial steps on the way to achieving her dream of playing professionally when she moves to Brisbane to link with a leading football school.
The rising JCU Strikers star, Caravella Football Academy talent and FNQ TSP member has played her last game in Cairns, as she links with Marsden State High School and the QAS for 2021.
Stanton is one of the region’s many young footballing talents who have packed up and moved to the state capital for a chance to chase her dreams.
Paige Groves (rugby union)
She swept to just about every FNQ Rugby award on offer in the inaugural Women’s 10s competition in 2020, and now Paige Groves is taking on even bigger competition.
Groves has moved to the Gold Coast to continue her study, linking with Bond University - a known rugby union powerhouse.
The speedy winger shone for Mudcrabs in FNQ, and there’s some in Queensland Rugby who believe she is an outstanding Sevens prospect.
Siena Goulding (cycling)
Numerous state championship gold medals has nine-year-old cyclist Siena Goulding in the fast lane for another huge year on two wheels.
At last month’s AusCycling Queensland Junior State Track Championships, held at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane, Goulding took out gold in the under-11 girls’ flying 200m, 500m time trial and 2000m scratch race, as well as broke a seven-year-old state record in the flying 200m.
Her abilities on the track have also resulted in a sponsorship with cycling clothing brand Monton Sports Australia as a junior ambassador, and she’s already set her sights on smashing under-13 records.
Summah Evans (basketball)
Three-time state representative and 2019 NBA NCAA Women’s Global Camp member Summah Evans is off to a strong start at North Florida Ospreys, as she looks to turn her potential into a professional career.
Her under-18 Queensland north coach, Claudia Brassard, thinks a professional career in basketball should be her next step, describing the former Cairns State High School student as one of the better emerging rebounders she has seen.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as 25 TO WATCH: FNQ sport’s rising stars set for a massive year
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