Teams from across Qld looking to assert their dominance at Qld under-18 girls, boys championships
The state’s exciting teenage hockey talent will be on show at the Gold Coast and Rockhampton as the centres host the under-18 girls and boys championships respectively. See who are the players to watch.
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Potential Olympic hockey stars of the future will look to make their mark at the Queensland under-18 girls and boys championships, which start on Thursday.
The girls tournament will be held at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre, while the boys will be in action at Rockhampton’s Kalka Shades.
Nineteen girls teams will compete across three divisions.
Brisbane has two teams in the top division, where they will be joined by Gold Coast 1, Cairns 1, Townsville, Toowoomba 1, Ipswich and Fraser Coast.
Division 2 will be made up of Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Tweed, Brisbane 3, Gympie and Bundaberg, while Brisbane 4, Cairns 2, Toowoomba 2, Warwick and Gold Coast 2 will battle it out in Division 3.
In the boys championships, Brisbane 1, Toowoomba 1, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane 2, Mackay, Ipswich and Cairns will go head-to-head in Division 1, while in Division 2 it will be the host centre up against Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Gympie, Bundaberg and Toowoomba 2.
Rockhampton boys’ coach Todd Harmsworth said he was looking forward to seeing how his youthful outfit would perform.
“We’re young but it will be interesting to see how we go,” he said.
“We have no real dominant individuals, it’s a very team-oriented group which I think is important instead of having one or two players who want to do it all.
“Townsville will definitely be a tough contest for us, as will the Sunshine Coast.”
The action at both events starts at 3pm on Thursday and continues from 8.20am Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
UNDER-18 GIRLS
Stella Suey
Position: Midfield
Team: Toowoomba 1
Comment: One of Toowoomba’s rising stars has a skill set that far surpasses her age. Her close stick work makes her hard to handle in one-on-one attacking situations.
Bobbie Hamlet
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Toowoomba 1
Comment: A formidable last line of defence Hamlet is top notch keeper extraordinary reflexes and agility.
Tia Beckman
Position: Midfield
Team: Toowoomba 1
Comment: An all-rounder in the centre of the field with a skill set that always captures the attention of spectators.
Alyssa Rollason
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Toowoomba 2
Comment: A technically proficient keeper with good communication and positioning skills. Rollason is patient but aggressive when she needs to be.
Isabella Middleton
Position: Midfield
Team: Toowoomba 2
Comment: A cool, calm and collected player under pressure, Middleton always seems to make the right decision at critical moments in the game.
Karissa Van der Wath
Position: Midfield
Team: Brisbane 1
The Brisbane State High School student has been identified as a potential 2032 Olympian after being named as a member of the Australian Futures squad. She has been a regular state junior representative, rising to represent Australia at the under 21 Junior World Cup.
Lily Richardson
Position: Midfield
Team: Brisbane 1
Comment: The Easts Junior has been a schoolgirl prodigy, consistently making representative teams across her age group. Indeed in 2021 she was named player of the tournament following the under 15 nationals. Last year she was named Rookie of the Year of the Brisbane Hockey League Division 1 women’s competition, and was a member of the Australian Futures (U18) Squad.
Mihaylia Howell
Position: Striker
Team: Brisbane 1
Comment: Originally from The Narangba Valley State High School, Howell was earmarked as a player of the future when named in the Australian Women’s Futures under 18 squad two years ago. She first rose to notice when she made the under 15 Queensland team – aged just 13.
Clarie McIvor
Position: Striker
Team: Brisbane 2
Comment: A Kedron Wavell ace, McIvor has also been a high achieving indoor player for South Brisbane Vipers and will relish her representative field hockey opportunity.
Riley Bisseling
Position: Midfield
Team: Brisbane 3
From the University of Queensland Hockey Club, this bounding Red Roos player has been a high achiever in indoor hockey as well as field hockey. It is not her first dance at this level, as she has been an under-18 representative before
Lucy Chaffey
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Brisbane 4
A Valley junior, Chaffey loves to put back into the sport and was recently award her community umpiring badge She has sharpened her reflexes playing indoor representative hockey
Kaitlin Dennis
Age: 17
Team: Cairns
Kaitlin Dennis has entered the team for her first time positioned as a midfielder/striker. She has showcased remarkable speed and agility in her debut year. A true team player, Dennis’s rapid and reactive style of play adds a dynamic element to the team.
Sierra Squire
Age: 16
Team: Cairns
Sierra Squire stands as a tough defender wielding both strength and a keen hockey intellect to thwart opposing attacks. A quiet achiever, she exemplifies consistency and reliability for her team game after game.
Giaan Tippet
Age: 17
Team: Cairns
Giaan Tippet, at 17, blazes across the outdoor hockey turf with rapid speed and unmatched flair, embodying the essence of a co-captain with her solid leadership and tireless workrate, setting a high standard for her teammates to follow.
Kaelen Overlack
Age: 16
Team: Cairns
Kaelen Overlack has burst into the team this year as a dynamic ball carrier and prolific goal scorer. The striker has been described by his coaches as driven and intense.
Zara Seivers
Age: 17
Team: Cairns
Zara Seivers commands the outdoor hockey field with her presence as an attacking midfielder, boasting wicked ball skills, control and relentless dribbling alongside an exceptional workrate. As a natural leader and co-captain of her team, Seivers inspires with both her on-field actions and her ability to rally her teammates off the court.
Amy Woods
Age: 16
Position: Defender, midfield
Home association: Rockhampton, playing for Mackay
Was selected in her first state team – Queensland schoolgirls at age 11 – and similar honours have continued each year in both formats of the game. Woods was selected in the Queensland Gold team at age 14 and then captained the team at nationals in 2023 and again in 2024. A member of the Hockey Queensland Academy, she is a very passionate, driven player who possesses great hockey smarts. Her precision passing and her ability to read play and organise her defence is an asset to any team. Is currently playing with her Rockhampton club team Wanderers and St Andrews Ladies Hockey Club in Brisbane this season.
Sophie Hammond
Age: 17
Position: Striker/midfield
Home association: Rockhampton, playing for Mackay
A very talented, hardworking player with extraordinary 3D skills and an ability to create scoring opportunities in any situation. Hammond has represented Queensland in indoor hockey since age 13 and after an impressive performance at under-18 nationals, earned selection in the Australian Junior Under-18 indoor squad. A member of the Hockey Queensland academy, she was selected as shadow for the Queensland under-18 outdoor team in 2023 and is looking to secure a spot in 2024. Has been playing with both her Rockhampton club team Southern Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs in Brisbane to further enhance her skills and experience.
Annaliese Adamson
Age: 16
Position: Striker
Home association: Gladstone but playing for Gympie
A young player who works hard and is on the radar of Queensland selectors, earning selection in the Queensland Gold under-15 indoor team and the under-15 outdoor squad last year and being named as a shadow for Queensland under-16 team in 2024. An exciting talent who has a great work ethic, smart game sense and silky skills, as well as developing a powerful drag flick. A dedicated player who is keen to keep working hard to make that break into the next level.
Camryn Mathison
Age: 18
Position: Mifielder
Team: Gold Coast
The Gold Coast captain, Mathison has already been identified in national futures programs. The midfielder is an all-round outstanding athlete who leads the team well. Her craft for the game is above most, she has lots to offer and comes from hockey family.
Tylah Andrews
Age: 15
Position: Defender
Team: Gold Coast
One of the youngest players at the championships at just 15, Andrews is a talented defender that will be pivotal for Gold Coast. She’s a direct player who’s mature on the field given her age, and also has an exceptional slider pass up her sleeve.
Bree Pendrigh
Position: Attacking midfield
Team: Townsville
Pendrigh has 10 caps for Cairns rep teams but will add to her five Townsville appearances at the under-18 state championships this weekend.
She is a talented outdoor and indoor player with a great understanding of the sport and will be a key contributor to Townsville’s chances at the tournament.
Chloe Bourke
Position: Defender
Team: Townsville
Bourke is one of Townsville’s youngest players at 15, but she brings a wealth of talent and experience to the side.
She’s just returned from the under-16 Australian nationals where she helped Queensland to a gold medal. She adds great energy and enthusiasm to the team.
UNDER-18 BOYS
William Price
Position: Centre half
Home association: Gladstone, playing for Rockhampton
A dominant presence on the ball, he has a huge engine and can run all day. Works extremely hard and will guide the team around effectively, determining play with his great game sense and play.
Jaiden Lenzina
Position: Goalkeeper
Home Association: Rockhampton
As solid as a rock in the net, Lenzina will be pivotal to Rockhampton’s chances at the state championships. Has a great ability to read the game and can keep his side in the contest with his desperation and athleticism in goal. His experience will be invaluable in what is a relatively young line-up.
Matthew Hawthorne
Position: Midfield
Team: Toowoomba 1
Comment: An athletic, precise and strategically astute midfielder who is an exciting player to watch.
Lachlan Zaviani
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Toowoomba 1
Comment: Commands the goal with lightning quick flexes, excellent positioning and skills. Will an invaluable piece in Toowoomba’s defensive puzzle.
Luke Siebuhr
Position: Midfield
Team: Toowoomba 1
Comment: A dazzling midfielder with impeccable ball control, strategic vision, and relentless determination. Siebuhr will be the team’s chief playmaker.
Charlie Jensen
Position: Defender
Team: Toowoomba 2
Comment: The skipper inspires his team with his natural leadership, skilful play, strategic insight and unwavering determination.
Eli Gascoyne
Position: Defender
Team: Toowoomba 2
Comment: Shines in defence displaying exceptional anticipation, physical prowess, and tactical intelligence.
Henry Rossow
Position: Striker
Team: Toowoomba 2
Comment: A lightning fast attacker who leaves opponents in his wake as he showcases a remarkable combination of agility, acceleration, and quick decision-making that sets him apart from other strikers.
Dominic Anderson
Position: Defender
Team: Brisbane 1
A St Patrick’s College product, Anderson was renowned for his work rate on and off the ball who last year received the Norths’ club’s highest junior club award of most promising junior player award.
Lachlan Zuideveld
Position: Midfielder
Team: Brisbane 1
A Bulimba club native from the Cannon Hill Anglican College, Zuideveld has been circling state championships since first representing as an under 13. He is playing with the big boys now and will be a key player in Brisbane’s campaign.
Hayden Scholes
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Brisbane 1
A high achiever from the Norths club, Scholes has been a young gun goal keeper who two years ago represented Queensland at the under-15 National Hockey Championships where he was named keeper of the tournament representing Brisbane 2.
Max Curnow
Position: Defender
Team: Brisbane 2
A Bulimba Bulls junior who plays in the Redlands competition, Curnow will be a key player for Brisbane at the championships.
Trystam-Daniel Smith
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Brisbane 2
A bayside boy from Wynnum SHS, Trystam-Daniel has polished his craft playing at the Valley hockey club. He has also been an indoor ace (Vipers)
Ryan Cartwright
Age: 18
Team: Cairns
Ryan Cartwright, who hails from Cairns but is now based in Brisbane, showcases a remarkable hockey intellect, serving as the linchpin and leader of his team. Named co-captain, his astute playmaking skills make him the vital glue that binds his team together on the pitch.
Eadie Coghlan
Age: 16
Team: Cairns
Eadie Coghlan dominates as a formidable fullback, earning renown as a tough defender and a true brickwall at the back, anchoring their team’s defence with unwavering strength.
Ben Howard
Age: 17
Team: Cairns
Hailing from Atherton, Ben Howard is a pillar of strength for his team, serving as a mentally resilient co-captain and formidable fullback. Comfortable carrying the ball out of defence, Howard’s composed presence adds a crucial dimension to his team’s strategic play. Joshua Joshua Standage
Age: 17
Team: Cairns
Joshua Standage shines brightly on the hockey stage, having claimed the senior all-stars’ Most Valuable Player title. A versatile midfielder/striker, he thrives in tight spaces with his exceptional ability to manoeuvre, demonstrating both a team-oriented approach and profound hockey smarts.
Adrian Leighton
Age: 16
Team: Cairns
Adrian Leighton emerges as a dynamic force, taking on the role of a striker for his side with finesse and precision. A true team-player, Leighton’s cunning eye for goal adds a potent edge to his game.
Aston Merrell
Age: 17
Position: Defender
Team: Gold Coast
Still underage, Merrell is a talented player and quality athlete that can steer his team around. Will be a name keep an eye on in future.
Hudson Keeble
Age: 18
Team: Gold Coast
Keeble is captaining the Gold Coast side. Is a player that has blossomed exponentially over the past year or two and has a great opportunity to put his name up in lights at these championships. Keeble controls the play well and is a good all round player that can run through all the lines. He’s very mature, and could grow and thrive under responsibility of leadership.
Luke Bartolo
Position: Defender / Midfielder
Team: Townsville
Still just 15 years old, Bartolo recently claimed gold at the under-16 national championships with the Queensland Maroon side.
He was then selected to the Australian under-16 team that will tour Europe in April 2025.
Hailing from Mount Isa, Bartolo has been a regular in representative teams for years now.
Finn O’Neill
Position: Midfield
Team: Townsville
O’Neill was teammates with Bartolo in the nationals-winning Queensland Maroon team and also earned an Australian call-up for his impressive performances.
O’Neill plays for Commercials’ division 1 men’s team in Townsville and is one of North Queensland’s brightest hockey prospects.
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