Next gen: The 120+ young sports stars of southeast QLD you must watch in 2025
The new year looms, and athletes have already begun their prep for season 2025. From the track to the pool and everywhere in between, these are the 120+ southeast Queensland young guns you must watch and why. Full list:
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As the new year looms and athletes begin their prep for season 2025, it may be hard to recall every name who made sporting headlines - especially in a region boasting stars in every corner.
Southeast Queensland produced remarkable talent throughout the year and is home to the State’s crown jewel of representative school sport: South Coast.
With so many champions, title-winners and record-breakers to choose from, we reveal just who to look out for in 2025 and why.
From the track to the pool and everywhere in between, these are the 100+ sensational young stars raising southeast Queensland’s sporting status to a whole new level.
Gold Coast
Thewbelle Philp
Athletics
Few knew anything about this PBC SHS pocket rocket before this year. But heading into 2025, she will be the athlete to catch in 100m dashes. A Mudgeeraba Little Athletics club junior, Philp’s All Schools Australian Athletics championship performance in the 100m saw her cover the ground in 11.38 seconds. She is also brisk over the 200m distance (23.40 seconds).
Maddy and Roxy Rhind
Netball
An elite twin duo of netballers who dominate at either end - Maddy on defence with Roxy taking the shots. The Rhind girls have quickly climbed the representative ladder, with Roxy donning the maroon dress in 2024 and both playing starring roles in the Gold Coast Titans’ successful HART Sapphire Series campaigns. We expect them to only continue growing in 2025.
Stephanie Aguinaldo
Netball
A quiet achiever who has flown under the radar for years. Aguinaldo boasts south coast representation and Gold Coast Titans State Titles experience. After a cracking under-16s campaign in 2025, she’ll come back even stronger next season no doubt chasing Queensland squad selection.
Harlow Faaee
Netball
The King’s Christian College student continues to make steps towards a professional career, having just been named in her first Sapphire Series squad by the Gold Coast Titans. The 16-year-old has plenty of years left in the State Titles and National program to keep developing as a star netballer, and 2025 could be her breakthrough.
Bridie Stewart
Netball
A cross-code basketballer turned netballer, Stewart has been put into her first Queensland squad for under-17s in 2025. She joins the Bond University Bull Sharks for a second year - this time in the HART Premier League - and is one to keep your eyes on.
Zavaniah Lenihan
Netball
An avid young defender who made her first State Titles appearance with the Titans under-16s this year and has moved to Bond University for 2025. She is the youngest of their HART Premier League squad and expected to improve on her defensive skills drastically through the season.
Dane Henry
Surfing
The 17-year-old, known for his classy aerial manoeuvres, won the 2024 ISA World Junior Championship and ticked off a major goal in the process: nailing a backflip in a heat. The Northern NSW product also claimed gold at the Skullcandy Pro Junior in July.
Ziggy Mackenzie
Surfing
A a Gold Coaster who grew up in Bali, Mackenzie was part of the Australian Junior team who won gold in El Salvador and claimed a personal gold in the under-16 girls division.
“(I am) now planning to continue training and development and to attend some main Junior events here in Australia,” she said.
“My hope is that this will lead me to another opportunity to represent Australia again in 2025.”
Sierra Kerr
Surfing
The daughter of former Australian pro surfer Josh Kerr, the teen is well and truly making waves of her own and had a breakout year. Kerr is a multi-sport athlete (surfing, gold and skateboarding), though the water is where she championed in 2024 with wins at the URBN Surf Pro, Port Stephens Pro, Siargao International Surfing Cup and Taiwan Open of Surfing.
Kai Colless
Surfing
A Burleigh Heads boy, 17-year-old Colless received the prestigious award of Male Para Surfers of the Year in 2024, having claimed gold - and a World Title - at the ISA World Para Surfing Championship in November. The PBC senior also holds the 2023 and 2024 World Professional Adaptive Pro World Surfing Champion title.
Harry Osbourne
Emmanuel College
Osbourne was one of Queensland’s athletes of the school season with wins left, right and centre at the QRSS titles, the All Schools Queensland and All Schools Australia championships. At the All Schools nationals he won a remarkable three gold medals. He soared to a season best 13.26 in his gold medal winning performance in the U15 triple jump, and also a season best mark (25.64 seconds) in the U15 hurdles. Osborne also won the long jump.
Piper Anderson
Athletics
PBC SHS’s U15 3000m athlete Piper Anderson hit the headlines with her 9:46.61 performance at the Queensland Representative School Sport championships in October. She backed it up with a gold medal at the All Schools Queensland and then a silver medal at the Australian All Schools titles. She is one to watch in 2025.
Will Powell
Hockey
Aged just 19 years, this elite striker from Ballina burst into the Brisbane Blaze 2024 and now has a firm foundation on which to expand his career 2025. Powell is another rookie on the rise, with the Gold Coast ace noted as one of the country’s most promising juniors.
Cash Glavish and Archie Watt
Athletics
Both from Canterbury College, the boys will be athletes to catch in their respective events entering 2025 after outstanding performances at the All Schools Australia championships. Glavish launched his javelin 50.41m to win gold in the U14s while U14 pole vaulter Watt found 4m in his U16 pole vault.
Oliver Corcoran
Athletics
The Emmanuel College student looks set for a bumper 2025 after winning his U18 400m race in a season best time. This was after outstanding performances at both the QRSS and Queensland All Schools championships which led-up to the nationals.
Mia Salisbury
Australian football
A member of PBC SHS’s all-conquering senior girls Schools Cup premiership winning team, the Bond ace was a smart and skilful midfielder who always seemed one step ahead of the play. The Suns Academy player has a high level footy IQ which was seen when she played QAFLW with Bond.
Mason Barber
Rugby league
Cowboys fans can’t wait to see him play in the club’s feeder teams during 2025. The most exciting running player in the Langer Trophy, the explosive Barber was rewarded with Australian schoolboys selection after lighting up the national championships in Coffs Harbour. Barber was also versatile, swinging into the front line as a five-eighth after starring at fullback for the Tweed Seagullsunder-19s in the club season.
Zane Harrison
Rugby league
Could Harrison play NRL in 2025? That may not be the plan just yet, but don’t fall off your chair if he gets some playing time next season.
Harrison was the puppeteer of his team’s all-conquering schoolboy league team Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, a halfback ace who ran the side with class and expertise. He was mature beyond his years, a born winner whose uncomplicated game is suited to the NRL. Titans’ fans take note.
Bailey Garnham
Cricket
Another Queensland U19 representative, the Gold Coast gloveman is outstanding either back to the pacemen or over the stumps to the spinners.
MORE: 20 under 20, Gold Coast’s best sporting talents of 2024 revealed
Sunshine Coast
Ty Gallop
Aussie rules
Gallop, who was this year’s QAFL rookie of the year, was taken with pick 42 by reigning AFL premiers the Brisbane Lions in last month’s draft. The 194-centimetre key forward from the Maroochydore Roos represented the Queensland Allies in the national championships and played for the Lions VFL side in their Preliminary Final.
Sophie Peters
Aussie rules
Drafted with pick 21 in the 2023 AFLW Draft, Peters played four games for the Lions in 2024 and will look to further stamp her feet at the elite level in 2025.
Zac Garton
Rugby league
The Sunshine Coast rising rugby league talent had a stellar 2024 season representing the Queensland under-19 origin team and Australian under-18 schoolboys side. Garton is signed to the Redcliffe Dolphins where he is currently undergoing a full pre-season with the top squad.
Nate Thompson
Rugby league
Thompson showcased his skills as a cross-code star in 2024, earning selection in the Australian schoolboys rugby union side despite being a year younger and grade below his teammates. The teenage speedster recently signed a three year deal with the Canterbury Bulldogs and will finish his final year of schooling, while representing the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup side in 2025.
Ellyjah Birve
Rugby league
A seriously freakish rising talent that is no doubt a name to keep an eye on. Birve missed the 2024 Cyril Connell Cup season due to personal reasons but was a shining light for Caloundra SHS in the Langer Trophy competition. Birve will be a senior player next season and is ready to go to another level.
Rhys Williams
Football
Williams has had a standout year in 2024, earning three straight Australian junior call-ups after impressing selectors, coaches and his teammates. The 16-year-old and former Caloundra FC junior also helped the Brisbane Roar finish top of the Queensland NPL U23 table.
Kirra Tappenden
Netball
The Sunshine Coast rising netball talent has edged another step closer to her elite level dream after securing a training contract with the Queensland Firebirds for the upcoming Super Netball season. The 18-year-old is a damaging goal threat and will no doubt be a name to remember for years to come.
Jai Taylor
Bodyboarding
Taylor, 17, has quickly cemented himself as a name to remember in the rising bodyboard rankings after impressive performances at a state, national and world level. The Sunshine Beach State High School student has picked up back-to-back Australian titles, winning the under-16 division in 2022 and the under-18s in 2023.
Makayla Elliot
Rugby league
Elliot proved herself as one of the finest front row prospects in the game in 2024 for the Sunshine Coast Falcons under-17 girls competition. Elliot had boundless energy for a middle, effective in first contact defence, wrapping the ball up or leading kick-chases down the field.
Sarah McGuire
Rugby league
Another standout Falcon from the under-17s girls competition, McGuire stood tall in the final minute as she did in the first. Was a leader for the Falcons, finishing as her side’s player of the year.
Malakai Pearce
Cricket
Pearce was the Sunshine Coast’s standout cricketer this season, captaining his side to a stellar under-17s taverners premiership. The handy wrist spinner took a season high 23 wickets at 13.43
Jackson Koina
Rugby league
Captain Koina, a Brisbane Broncos signed prodigy, was the Falcons Cyril Connel player of the year. He is a damaging edge forward with great attacking and defensive qualities.
Takoda Thompson
Rugby league
Thompson finished as the under-19s Falcons player of the year, secured back-to-back open women’s premierships with Kawana and gained selection in the region’s 47th battalion side. The powerhouse backrower is a great leader and definitely someone to follow in 2025.
Cooper Clarke
Rugby league
It was a rollercoaster 2024 for Clarke to say the least. After relocating to the Sunshine Coast from New South Wales, Clarke earned a contract with the Melbourne Storm and finished as the Falcons Mal Meninga Cup player of the year. He was later selected in the Queensland schoolboys team before an ankle injury ruled him out of the tournament and sidelined him for majority of the Langer Trophy season.
Saxon Thompson
Rugby union
The damaging back rower earned his second straight Australian Schoolboys rugby union selection in 2024 and looks to be a key star on the rise.
Greater Brisbane
Amaya Mearns
Athletics
The St Peters Lutheran College student was another huge improver in 2025 which puts her in good stead entering 2025.
Mearns ran the second fastest under-18 200m time at the All Schools Australian championships with a withering 23.15 second spurt.
Her 200m time smashed her previous PB of 23.56. Mearns can also motor in the 100m events - her silver-medal-winning 100m time at the All Schools was 11.49 seconds - down from her previous best of 11.61 seconds.
Terrell Thorne
Athletics
A St Laurence’s College product, Thorne ran a national record time of 45.64 seconds in the 400m on Sunday at the All Schools Championships. The performance broke the previous U18 national record by Olympian Paul Greene (45.96 seconds) in 1989. The sky’s the limit for Thorn as he builds towards the 2026 world championships.
Taylor Goodwin
Athletics
From John Paul College, Goodwin aspites aspires to make the U20 World Championships in two years. He is an outstanding middle distance athlete who excelled at both the QRSS and Queensland All Schools championships before winning gold in the U18 1500m at the Australian All Schools titles.
Helena Butler
Athletics
Butler was an astonishing performer at the All Schools Australia championships, winning two gold medals which highlighted her ability heading into 2025. The Robina SHS student clinched gold in the highlight competitive U16 3000m event in 10:04.03. Earlier in the championships Butler (U16 steeplechase) ran a season best 7:01.61 all the way to a gold medal.
Emma Fryga
Athletics
Fryga recently beat an 800m record set by London Olympian Benita Willis when she ran at the QRSS championships. The middle distance ace was then unmatched at the All Schools Queensland championships before claiming a gold medal at the All Schools Australia championships in the U16 1500m.
Alikana Malish
Athletes
Relatively new to jumps, the Yeronga SHS student capped a remarkable 2024 by soaring to a season best height of 1.88m in the U14 high jump at the All Schools nationals. This after breaking two under-14 records in high jump (1.88cm) and triple jump at the Queensland All Schools track and field championships.
Diva Ejemb
Athletes
Queensland is blessed to have two outstanding U14 jumpers coming through - Alikana Marsh in the boys and Ejemb in the girls. Ejemb was special at the All Schools Australia championships, soaring to 1.68m on her way to gold. Bring on 2025.
Seth Kennedy
Athletics
Kennedy ran a competition record in the 400m U17s at the All Schools Australia, storming to the winners post in a time of 47.05. His season best surge took him past the previous record held by Taylor Goodwin. The BGS student represented Australia at the Oceania championship in Fiji this year.
Tate Van Camp
Athletics
Arana Little Athletics junior Van Camp was amazing in his U15 800m event at the All Schools Australia championship when his 1:55.01 effort bettered by two seconds the previous competition record. He stormed into the championships after an elite performance at the All Schools Queensland titles.
Matthew Turner
Athletics
Turner ran two competition records at the All Schools Australian championships. In the 800m he ran under the old mark with her second place performance, and then the Nudgee student broke the 1500m record.
Richayllan Wihone-Mackay
Athletics
From Windaroo Valley SHS, she won the U18 javelin by 6m at the All Schools Australia titles - an extraordinary performance by this wonderful athlete who generated a season best distance of 48.29m.
Harrison Purcell
Athletics
The Ipswich Grammar School champion was again magnificent in his U18 middle distance events, including a gold medal.
Nahkiyha Mullins-Walit
Athletics
From Clontarf Beach SHS, Mullins-Walit had a huge month at the QRSS championships, and also the Queensland and Australian All Schools championships. At the nationals she launched the javelin 46.32m in the U17 girls competition - a season best distance by her.
Amelia Sherrard
Athletics
Sherrard was one of the discovery athletes of the year. A late bloomer in middle distance runner, Sherrard surged to gold medals at both the Queensland Representative School Sport and Queensland All Schools championships. The Moreton Bay College student then garnished her sporting year by winning a silver medal (U17 800m) and a bronze medal (1500m) at the All Schools Australia titles.
Milla Roberts
Athletics
Better known as a 1500m and a steeplechase exponent, Roberts showed she was no one trick pony when she powered to a gold medal in the 800m final at the All Schools Australian championships. The City North Little Athletics junior is in for a big 2025, moving to the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Ethan Gration
Athletics
Gration is another City North Little Athletics junior who shone brightly over the last month, culminating in a gold medal performance in the U16 high jump (2m) at the All Schools Australia championships.
Jake Hambrook-Smith
Athletics
What will this Sheldon College student achieve in 2025. We bet you he wins another state or national medal - because the versatile athlete has success following him everywhere. At the All Schools Australia meet he was at the near peak of his powers with a season best distance of 1.92m in the U15 high jump.
Hudson Severinsen
Athletes
Severinsen produced a huge performance at the All Schools Australia championships when he won the U14 hammer throw after generating 52.14m. That performance will give the Ipswich and District Athletic Club junior plenty of confidence going into 2025. Also keep an
Abbey Crocker
Athletes
Also keep an eye out for this Ipswich athletics during 2025, Crocker, who was outstanding in winning the gold medal at the All Schools Australia in the U14 shot put (12.56m).
Sadie Dowden
Athletes
Dowden raised the bar to a 2.95m height to win the gold medal in the U15 pole vault at the All Schools Australia titles. She improved from a height of 2.90 at the Queensland All Schools - so what will she be capable of in 2025?
Jason Koullas
Athletics
From the Tigers Athletics Club, Koullas peaked at the right time when he threw a season best 57.03m distance to win the All Schools Australia U17 discus. He sets him up beautifully entering 2025.
Zara Hagan
Athletics
From St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Hagan whistled to a big win in the U18 100m final (11.43 seconds) at the All Schools and will look to go sub 11.40 in 2025.
Connor Hopgood
Athletics
As an All Schools Australian record holder, Hopgood was the hunted at the recent championships but rose to the occasion with a big win in his U17 hammer throw. He threw 67.23m. He will again be the athlete his peers were chasing in 2025.
Lilla Ribot-de-Bresac
Swimming
From All Hallows’ School, Ribot represented Australia at the 2024 Oceania Championships where she won a bronze medal after claiming four gold medals, a silver and a bronze at April’s All Ages Championships. A 100m and 200m breaststroke exponent, Ribot has just returned from the Swimming Australia Next Generation breaststroke camp where, as a 15-year-old, Ribot was the baby of the group. Coached at Newmarket Racers by Steve Miller.
Eloise McLellan
Swimming
From the Brisbane Grammar School swimming club, McLellan is a real racer. She can swim the 200m freestyle at a cracking pace of around 2:04.36, and flies in the individual medley 200m where she does sub 2:20.00. McLellan wins age medals for fun. Watch this space.
Olympia Pope
Swimming
Pope swam her way onto the Australian team bound for the Oceania Championships when she shone at the All Age Championships in the under-15s. Pope won a gold medal in the 50m and 100m breaststroke at the Oceania international meet, and was a member of the gold medal winning women’s 4x100 medley relay team.
Milla Jansen
Swimming
At the Junior Pan Pacific Championships earlier in the year, Jansen made her senior Dolphins debut at the World Short Course Championships during December. Jansen is an elite freestyle talent who won medals for fun at the All Ages championships on the Gold Coast during April.
Hannah Casey
Swimming
Don’t discount this Mt St Michael’s past student from still being around to contest freestyle events. At the World Junior Championships earlier this year, she earned a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle (54.74) and also in the 50m freestyle (25.04). Casey was also a member of the silver medal winning 4x100m relay and bronze medal winning 4x200m.
Jake Tysoe
Swimming
From Clairvaux MacKillop College, Tysoe won the 200m butterfly at the Oceania Championships and was second in the 100m. Entering Year 12 next season, Tysoe is a rookie on the rise from Clairvaux MacKillop College who gained tremendous race experience by swimming at the Olympic trials.
Maggie Grey
Diving
Queensland schoolgirl Maggie Grey made a splash last month when she won a gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in Brazil. Grey, 14, finished atop the podium after a dazzling performance in the 10m platform event. It was a stunning effort by the Queensland Academy of Sport athlete from Faith Lutheran College who is a part of the Aussie Athlete Fund’s $1 Million Challenge. In 2025, also keep an eye on Mt St Michael’s student Emily Francis and Cleveland District SHS’s Archie Forsyth who both competed at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in Brazil.
Teya Rufus
BMX
Maryborough’s Teya Rufus earlier this year won the gold medal at the BMX Racing World Cup in Tulsa, and then won the UCI BMX Junior Women’s Championships. Aged 17, the youngster was inspired to start in the sport after watching her brothers ride. She was just aged three at the time, and when her mother was not looking, she leapt onto the bike and started to ride at her first attempt. Now the QAS supported athlete plans to make the most of the AusCycling Action and Acceleration Centre of Excellence moving to Brisbane by training with the best senior and junior BMX athletes.
Ryan Elliott
Track cycling
Aged just 20, Elliott won a silver medal in the team sprint at the 2024 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and is a rookie on the rise. He will be aiming for 2028 Los Angeles when he revved up for 2025.
Rhiannon Smith
Softball
A centerfield young gun where her speed, agility and ability to read the game come into play, Smith is a ball of energy in the field who can make a diving catch or run out a runner pushing for an extra base. She is a rising star who first played the sport aged six, and quickly fell in love with the game and the “friendships and connections it fosters‘’.
Watch out for her in 2025.
Hannah Scott
Softball
A shortstop, second base or outfielder, the versatile Scott first started playing aged five, and is now a member of the Aussie Spirit senior squad.
“Since before I can remember I was always at the softball diamond on a Saturday morning watching my mum play, and decided to give it a go too,‘’ she recalled.
Her representative career took off in 2019 when she was selected for the Under 14 Aussie Diamonds, and then she made the U16 Aussie Squad 2020, U18 Aussie Squad 2021, 2022 and the U18 national team which competed in the 2024 Canada Cup. In 2024 Scott made the U19 Aussie Junior Spirit Squad and was recently selected in the Aussie Spirit Squad.
Bridgette Dalmau
Equestrian
The Stuartholme School school equestrian captain was named Junior Athlete of the Year at the 2024 Equestrian Queensland Awards ceremony. Dalmau was also crowned the 2024 Australian Interschool Small Tour Dressage Champion at the Australian Interschool Championships in Tamworth. She also received the coveted Tammy Rhodes Dressage Trophy, awarded to the tournament’s most successful dressage rider.
Fleur Ginn
Rugby 7s
A Stretton State College graduate, she is a serious talent with plenty of speed, finesse and power through the hits. She has been a high achiever and knows her game well. She knows when to involve herself into the place and has been gathering a lot of rugby seven-a-side experience with the Wests Bulldogs. She could be promoted into the top national side soon.
Karissa van der Wath
Hockey
Aged just 18, she will be a perfect age by the time the Brisbane Olympic Games come around. A mid field player from the Commercial club, der Wath was recently short-listed as a finalist for the Channel 9 2024 Queensland Junior Athlete of the Year Contender at the QAS Awards. She played for Brisbane Blaze earlier in the year.
Camryn Mathison
Hockey
Originally from Gladstone but now an Easts Hockey Club ace, the 18-year-old midfielder is a high achiever who has represented Brisbane Blaze in both 2023 and 2024. At last year’s Australian U18 Championships, Mathison was named Player of the Tournament in 2024.
Jamie-Lee Surha
Hockey
Aged just 19, Surha was the elite youth player around the beautiful central Queensland region of Mackay. A striker of the highest order, she is gaining valuable representative experience playing against seasoned campaigns while representing the Brisbane Blaze 2024.
Taafili Taoso
Water polo
Taoso is the highest ranking under 19 player in Australia who has made world teams. She was a late bloomer in water polo, but the Brisbane State High School product quickly came up to speed and was identified by talent scouts as a player of the future. She will be an ideal age to lead the charge in 2032, along with the likes of left arm ace Molly Nasser.
Sean Bright
Water polo
A centre forward, Bright is a rising star in the junior water polo ranks from the UQ club. Bright is strong in the water, reads the game well and can be lethal as an outside shooter. He is a Marist Ashgrove old boy.
Dylan Jennison
Water polo
A driver from the UQ club, Jennison is noted for having a high water polo IQ. The Marist College Ashgrove student is a selfless type of player who feeds teammates well and assists others to score.
Oliver Moncur
Water polo
A driver, Moncur is a goal scoring ace, someone with that x-factor who can find the back of the net. He is fast and coupled with his knowledge of both his game and the game in general, Moncur is a dengerman from BSHS.
Tian Markart
Water polo
Also from the UQ club, put a watch on this fellow who, as a goalkeeper, has been to two junior world championships. She is aged 17.
Bless Daly
Water Polo
A St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School student, Daly is a Polo Bears utility ace - the best in the business when it comes to being able to play a variety of positions. She has very good ball skills and is a good shot for goal. Also watch out for another Polar Bears’ junior in 2024 - Ali McCarthy.
Chelsea Johnson
Water polo
Johnson is out of right but not out of mind. The Mermaids junior is currently playing and studying at the University of California in the USA, 19-year-old Johnson is an outstanding centre who can direct play with ease. She is a young veteran who has a lot of experience for her age and knows how to win big games.
Sienna Owen
Water Polo
Owens has just graduated from St Peters where, as a driver, her speed and ability to put on a good shot at goal came to the fore. From Mermaids, she is another born winner who has had a lot of success as a junior.
Sara Connors
Water Polo
Connors is an outstanding left driver, highly skilled and with speed to burn. An All Hallows’ School student, she is potent down the left side of the pool. Connors comes from a sporting blood stock. Dad Mark was a Wallaby and mum Jodie is a coach and former high class player.
Lucy Stuart
Water Polo
Another from the Mermaids systems, this St Margaret’s student is a left hand driver with good counter attack skills. She can find the back of the net.
Steve Hogan
Cricket
The St Patrick’s College student is an outstanding batting prospect who scored a century for the Australian U19s on a tour of India during September. Both a Queensland U17 and U19 representative, he has been gathering experience playing first grade at Sandgate-Redcliffe.
Alexander Procopis
Cricket
Procopis had a bumper U19 national championship for Queensland when he top scored in three matches for the Maroons.
The Queensland co-captain, he made scores of 92, 81 and 53. His performance at the championships underlined why he was an unlucky omission from the Australian U19 side.
Callum Vidler
Cricket
Queensland quick Callum Vidler made his Sheffield Shield debut earlier in the season. As a 17-year-old, he starred in an Under-19 Test against England in Worcester, taking a five-wicket and eight for the match. That performance helped lock in his spot at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, where he was a key player for the eventual victors, taking 14 wickets, the most for the Aussies.
Jack Balkin
Cricket
The co-captain of the Queensland U19s, Balkin is an astute leading who has a knack of ringing the right changes in the field. He is also an excellent off spin bowler who took a match winning 4-29 in a crisis at the U19 championships. He can also bat and enters 2025 as a player on the rise. He plays first grade at Toombul.
Hugh Weibgen
Cricket
The former Brisbane Grammar School premiership winning captain is a Valley first grade batsman and handy bowler who is extremely highly thought of. Let us look for his continued progress in 2025.
Tighe Morris
Cricket
Morris will be playing his third successive season of First XI cricket (Churchie) in 2025. The Queensland U19 representative is a clever leg spin bowler and outstanding batsman who plays club cricket for Valley.
Jayden Draper
Cricket
Another elite Queensland U19 gloveman, Draper can also impact matches with the bat - as he did when he scored a match high score of 55 not out from 74 balls in a narrow win over ACT.
Saxon Jeh
Cricket
The young quick has grown a leg in 2024 and is a player in the up entering 2025. He bowled his way into the Queensland U19 side and is an exciting fast bowling prospect.
Nick Conway
Rugby
Nudgee College senior Nick Conway added considerable size to his frame this year while remaining the slick, light-footed outside back that has a remarkable ability to evade the first defender. He moves laterally like he weights virtually nothing and at fullback, wing or outside centre, Conway left his mark in Nudgee College’s First XV over the past two seasons. He played 80 minutes for Australia’s Under-18s in their win over the New Zealand Schools.
John Grenfell
Rugby
John Grenfell was a walking inspiration in Nudgee College’s rugby program. The First XV captain was both a No. 8 and hooker bundled up into the one body and his leadership and damaging runs led the way in a historic GPS season that resulted in the school bringing up their 45th premiership. His powerhouse running and brutal defence complemented his expertise at scrum time. He was the best in the business.
Tom Howard
Rugby
Tom Howard was superb across the season. Blessed with a withering sidestep inherited from his father Pat, Howard was a constant danger in all matches played across AIC rugby and league. His blinding pace and ability to attack helped end St Laurence’s remarkable run of three outright premierships (2021-23). The Marist College Ashgrove student also played tough, soaking up the contact and defending stoutly.
Coby Black
Rugby league
Black is another outstanding junior halfback who could play NRL in 2025. He has a nice clicking game, is naturally gifted with the ball and reads play well. The Broncos have been working hard to develop him and will be eager to see him continue to play strongly against the men in the Q-Cup.
Charlie Dickson
Rugby league
Wavell SHS senior Charlie Dickson was supreme at No. 13, a hard-running type who never overplayed his hand. Signed by the NRL Dolphins, he was the Connell Cup grand final man of the match and joint winner of the Justin Hodges Medal for best player in the Langer Trophy school competition. Watch him continue to shine in 2025.
Zac Garton
Rugby league
Australian Schoolboy select Zac Garton has NRL football written all over him and his progress in 2025 will be eagerly awaited by the Dolphins. Built low to the ground, Caloundra SHS product Garton challenges defenders with his fierce runs and is a brick wall in defence.
Brian Pouniu
Rugby league
From St Eugene College, Pouniu is an outstanding rugby league second rower signed by the Dolphins.
He captained the Dolphins under-17s to the club premiership this season, and will look for more success in 2025.
Shalom Sauaso
Rugby league
A Broncos’ signed NRLW player who could play top flight footy in 2025, she is elite in schoolgirl rugby and rugby league.
Powerhouse Ipswich SHS product Sauaso is a skilful half or running lock, who beats defenders with strength and foot work.
Lili Lewis
Rugby league
A Natural from Marsden SHS, Lewis has spider senses on the footy field where her uncanny vision, execution and ability to control a match were trademarks of hers. She will look to enhance her footy again in 2025 as in the Harvey under-19s, and also in the Schoolgirls Cup.
Lucas Herrington
Soccer
Young gun Herrington was another key cog in the premiership winning side, a tower of strength at the back who would win anything and everything in the air. Composed on the ball and clinical on set-piece plays, the physical Herrington reminded us a bit of 2019 premiership winning centre Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
Quinn MacNicol
Soccer
Boom Roar teen Quinn MacNicol shone ever so bright under the watching eye of head coach and dad Scott, who had to have known he had a special group this year. With plenty of talent across the park, 17-year-old junior prodigy MacNicol lived up the expectation and helped deliver Churchie their first outright premiership since 2019, their second in the competition’s 34 year history. The dangerous winger had a hand in everything and Churchie old boys knew when the youngster arrived at the school that a premiership was in store when he reached Year 12.
Violet McKee
Soccer
A Kelvin Grove State College student, the strong and composed centre back enjoyed the honour of being named in the under 18 Australian schoolgirls team. She also made the Queensland School Sport 16-18 Merit schoolgirls side.
Mia Geere
Australian football
The footy prodigy from Brisbane’s Clayfield College, Geere has learned her junior skills playing in the high class Gorillas’ program.
A Brisbane Lions Academy member, Geere was named in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Girls All Australian Team. A half back, she is renowned for having a strong intercept mark in her game.
Harlee McIlwain
Australian football
A ruck or centre half back with the Lions academy, the 2024 all-Australian under-16 representative was a wonderful athlete with a great vertical leap. A Sharks junior, full forward McIlwain also has a great overhead mark and clean hands at groundlevel. This year she was named the Sharks Female Champion player of 2024.
Molly Ferguson
Australian football
Maroochydore’s Ferguson was again an elite midfielder in her age group who went on to become vice-captain of the All Australian team while also making the Queensland under-18 squad. She is a remarkable athlete with quick disposal in traffic and a high work rate. Her repeat efforts and endurance means she gets from contest to contest racking up possessions. She is also a prominent female surfer with Alexandra Headland SLSC.
Edie McCabe
Australian football
A milestone player who passed 150 matches for Wests Juniors this season, goal sneak McCabe was outstanding across the under-17 season, polling second most votes to eventual winner, Sherwood’s Ayana Pritchard, in the official SEQ Youth Awards this season.
Jordie Chambers
Australian football
Padua’s half back ace and captain, Chambers was fearless at the ball and was able to rebound opposition entries and generate attack for his side. One of the top talents in AIC Australian football, Chambers was a Mr Versatile from the Aspley Hornets.
Darling Downs
Jem Ryan
Cricket
In a different life Jem Ryan could be playing in the AFL.
Jem briefly trialled with Richmond Tigers, the club that drafted his brother Samson in 2020, but his true sporting love, cricket, ultimately won out.
After carving up his GPS rivals in his final year of schooling at Toowoomba Grammar in 2022, he backed up with a great Brisbane Premier Grade season.
His efforts were rewarded with Queensland Cricket rookie contract ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Lucy Bourke
Cricket
One of several young Darling Downs female cricket talents, Warwick’s Lucy Bourke is going from strength to strength in her quest to make it at the elite level.
She featured heavily in the Brisbane Heat’s T20 Spring Challenge and is also a part of the Queensland Fire squad.
At just 19 the future is bright for the left-handed batter and it could only be a matter of time before she asserts herself in the WNCL and WBBL.
Millie Natalier
Basketball
Natalier is arguably the best basketball prospect Toowoomba has seen in years.
Lining up in the 2024 Under-16 Girls South Queensland Junior Basketball Competition Natalier was a force to be reckoned with averaging more than 30 points a game.
Her red hot form for the Toowoomba Mountaineers was rewarded with a chance to impress college scouts during a three-week Dunkaroos tour of the United States.
Chloe Pallisier
Rugby League
Pallisier is one of Toowoomba’s most promising rugby league talents in years.
Rapidly rising through the elite junior ranks she made her BMD Premiership debut against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in round 3 this season.
Pallisier made three senior appearances for the Western Clydesdales this season and her form did not go unnoticed.
Now the talented teen playmaker is headed south – taking up a deal with Penrith Panthers.
Fraser Judd
Cricket
Swapping Central Queensland for the Garden City was worked wonders for Judd as he continues to chase his cricketing dream while attending Toowoomba Grammar School.
Judd has starred in various rep sides for the regions over the last 18 months and broke into the Met-Easts A-grade side this one-day season.
The teenager was unfazed by the task of facing some of Toowoomba’s best senior cricketers as he scored an unbeaten century for the Trojans in their round 6 clash with Souths.
Lilli Hamilton
Cricket
She may still be a teenager, but Hamilton has the maturity and poise of some of the game’s most experienced stars.
The young spin bowler has been a force to be reckoned with over the last 12 months as she has made her mark for Queensland at youth level and was captain of the under-19 side which finished runners-up at nationals – a tournament where her and fellow Darling Downs young gun Lucy Bourke where both named in the team of the tournament.
She has already caught the eye of Brisbane Heat officials as she was called up for the T20 Spring Challenge this year.
Judah Magarey
Running
Fleet-footed runner Judah Magarey is a star on the rise.
In 2023 he wrote his name into Queensland Representative School Sports Track and Field State Championships history winning the 1500m in a record 4 minutes and 50.99 seconds.
In May he won the Toowoomba Chronicle 2km junior dash – ran in conjunction with the inaugural Toowoomba Marathon – and backed that performance up with a win in the Gold Coast Bulletin 2km Junior Dash.
After crossing the line in 6 minutes 35 seconds at the Gold Coast, Magarey became just the second runner since 2017 to secure back-to-back crowns in the event.
Taylah Chapman
Athletics
Chapman was an unstoppable force at the 2023 13-19 Years Queensland School Sport Track & Field Championships.
The young athlete bought home six medals from the event winning shot put, javelin, discus and 200m gold. 100m silver and 4x 100m relay (bronze).
In the same year she held nine Queensland para athletic records, one national record and was invited to join the Athletics Australia Target Talent Program.
Chapman continued to improve this year and you can expect to see her in Aussie green and gold one day.
Mackenzie Zeller
Rugby league
Just four days after she turned 19, Zeller ran out at Clive Berghofer Stadium for the Western Clydesdales in their inaugural BMD Premiership game and has not looked back since.
She featured in all 10 games for the Clydesdales in 2024 on their way to the finals and started eight times, featuring in all 70 minutes of the clash on five occasions.
Her efforts at junior rep and BMD Premiership level for the Clydesdales saw her named in the extended Emerging Maroons squad in 2024.
Mackenzie Grimes
Swimming
Grimes backed up a breakout 2023 swim season with an equally impressive 2024.
Competing at the National Swimming titles earlier this year she won national champion 16yrs 100m backstroke (gold), 16yrs 200m backstroke (silver), 16yrs 50m backstroke (bronze), national champion team 16yrs Qld mixed medley relay team (gold) and national champion team 16yrs Qld girls medley relay (gold).
The teen swim queen is one of Australia’s most promising young swimmer.
Hunter Corney
Motorcycle racing
Corney will be looking to place his name alongside Toowoomba motorsport legends Will Brown and Will Power.
Despite trailing early in the series, the 13-year-old wrapped up the Oceania bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup in November.
One of Australia’s most promising motorsport stars he has years ahead of him but is quickly closing in on greatness.
Cedar Johnson
Athletics
Following in the footsteps of fellow Darling Downs athletics star Brielle Erbacher, Cedar Johnson is making his mark in the steeplechase.
The teenage athlete has limited experience in the sport but it has failed to stop him in his tracks as he claimed gold in the U15 boys’ 2000m steeplechase at the All Schools National Championships recently.
Facing some of the best young guns in the country, the 14-year-old was a class above as he set a season best time of 6:10.64 - more than 12 seconds clear of the silver medallist.
Johnson also put the state on notice when he claimed gold in the 3000m run at the Queensland Track and Field Championships.
Kaden Buhse
Rugby League
The Gatton Hawks product had a breakout 2024 season as he made his Hostplus Cup debut for the Western Clydesdales in round 8 and never looked back.
The teenager winger crossed over for five tries in 15 games and was one of the bright lights in a difficult campaign for the Toowoomba-based outfit.
Originally published as Next gen: The 120+ young sports stars of southeast QLD you must watch in 2025
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