Future netball stars take to Nissan Arena for the Vicki Wilson Championships
The Vicki Wilson Championships will see hundreds of young netballers across Queensland come together and ahead of the tournament, we have revealed some of the top talents to watch. SEE THE LIST
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Hundreds of the state’s best young netball stars from secondary schools will come together to compete at the home of the sport in Queensland for the Vicki Wilson Championships.
The tournament at Nathan’s Nissan Arena, the home of the Queensland Firebirds, this weekend will be a history making event with a First Nations team competing for the first time.
But who are the young guns to watch who are taking part in this year’s finals?
Ahead of the tournament, we have revealed the 20 talents to catch in action at this year’s championships.
See the list below.
TOP 20 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jayden Molo (St John Fisher College)
Earlier this year, Molo was the vice-captain of the Queensland under-17 team.
After the national championships, she was named as MVP of the Queensland team and was also selected in the Australian under-17 squad.
In the July holidays, Molo attended a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport with the Australian squad. That’s all you need to know about this talented netballer.
Zoe Rebgetz (The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James, Townsville)
Rebgetz is an exceptionally hardworking and talented player.
She made her debut with the Northern Mendi Rays this season in the Hart Sapphire Series, where she shone on court.
She is also in the Northern Mendi Rays under-18 state titles team.
The 17-year-old centre is a huge asset to her team through her dogged defence consistently winning the ball, she also shows great athleticism, creativity and patience in attack, connecting well with her teammates.
Rebgetz has great competitive spirit and embraces the physical contest, making her a formidable opponent in both attack and defence.
Harley Kingi (Brisbane State High School)
Kingi’s speed and agility brings a fast and attacking dynamic to her team, which lifts the whole court performance.
With exceptional vision for the play, hands over pressure in defence and the fly through intercepts – this midcourt master is someone who can be anywhere at any time and is always a threat.
Yasmin Mayall (Matthew Flinders Anglican College)
Mayall has a great ability to read the play and pick off intercepts.
She loves a physical contest and is part of the Cougars club in Brisbane.
Cody Brown (Ignatius Park College)
The 17-year-old Cody Brown consistently demonstrates athleticism in attack and goal shooting.
He will have no trouble adapting to the centre position to maintain a fast paced competition.
Matt Gibbs (Helensvale State High School)
Gibbs has been a revelation in netball, acquiring the skills required to be a dominant target. The coachable youngster applies, not only his newly learned netball skill, but his strong AFL background into his game.
With an impressive vertical jump of more than 80cm, he will be phenomenal to watch.
He is a product of the Helensvale State High School’s AFL academy and is a very talented natural athlete, having been a member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.
His ridiculous vertical leap is matched with a very sharp 20m sprint.
Gibbs has a never-give-up attitude with his resilience, overcoming debilitating migraines.
He has found enjoyment in netball and is thriving in the environment and could be a dual sports star.
Armani Apelu (St Peter Claver College)
Apelu comes into the Vicki Wilson with some red hot form under her belt, having represented the Queensland under-15s at nationals, where they came second.
Apelu, in Year 10, is another formidable force of the Claver netball team who will strengthen their already stacked line-up, which is made up of countless young talents.
After tremendous success at their recent QISSN Carnival showcase, St Peter Claver College, spearheaded by Apelu, Kirsten-Lupe Tanielu and Saupo Toeleiu are sure to put on a show.
Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell (Brisbane State High School)
Henry-Purcell dominates the defensive circle with her strong presence.
It’s intercepts and deflections galore when she is on the top of her game and with her ability to read play and fly at crosscourt passes, there’s not too many opportunities missed by this girl.
Eden Ah Toon (Brisbane State High School)
Ah Toon’s strength and accuracy within the goal circle is hated by any defender who has ever played her.
Being a part of such a dominating team at State High for years has allowed her passing and movement within the circle to flourish.
She’s always assisting down the court and managing to find space where others can’t.
She is one to watch at this carnival and well into the future.
Harry Baird (Helensvale State High School)
Baird has been a rock in the Helensvale defensive line with his anticipation and long reach providing turnovers for his team.
Another product of Helensvale AFL, Baird has transferred his skills as a defensive ruckman onto the netball court with ease.
He is tall, agile and a very honest competitor with an engine matched with any on-ballers.
Ethan Gablonski (Lockyer District High School)
Gablonski is an important member of the Lockyer District High School open boys netball team.
His sharp shooting and court movement is an integral part of the team’s success at the Darling Downs regional finals.
His accuracy and consistency does not go unnoticed.
Caleb Sutton (Lockyer District State High School)
Sutton is a force to be reckoned with.
Once he mastered his three feet, his height and physical presence has made him unstoppable on the court.
He passes hard and his rebounds are massive, which in turn has a thundering impact on the netball court.
Mila Kenny (Coomera Anglican College)
A very fast talent who always finds space and works very well in the circle.
Kenny plays representative netball and her team won states recently and with a netball state age award under her belt and representative team selections, Kenny is a great young prospect.
Kydan Tuapou (Brisbane State High School)
Tuapou will captain the Vicki Wilson Cup team for State High and will lead by example.
Her ability to watch and read play flows down to her exceptional movement on the court.
Her outstanding ability to gain possession in the goal circle aids an already impressive shooting accuracy.
She improves more every year and dominates opponents at all levels of the contest.
Kirsten-Lupe Tanielu (St Peter Claver College)
Lupe Tanielu is one of the most talented young netballers out.
Hailing from Ipswich, the Year 10 student will be her team captain leading from the front.
She plays for the Ipswich Jets Ruby team and is one of the real players to watch at this year’s event because she’s skilful, has a high netball IQ and is a leader on and off the court.
Georgia Butt (Matthew Flinders Anglican College)
Butt is the Matthew Flinders Anglican College netball captain and an extremely powerful and dynamic midcourter.
She is the heart and soul of the team and always gives her best effort.
Losehina Mulligan (Brisbane State High School)
Mulligan is the hunter who should be feared by all who come up against her on the court.
As one of the most underrated defenders for her age in southeast Queensland, this prospect has incredible ability to contest the ball at every chance she gets.
The tips, turnovers and intercept statistics continue to stack up when she is on the court and her vertical jump is never to be underestimated.
She will wreak havoc in the goal circle.
Saupo Toeleiu (St Peter Claver College)
Toeleiu is an athletic player and defender who put on a dominant showing throughout the QISSN netball carnival last month.
She is an Ipswich Jets training partner and her strength and aerial ability is a combination that few players of her age possess.
Toeleiu will bolster an already strong Claver side at this year’s championships.
Kirra Tappenden (Matthew Flinders Anglican College)
Tappenden is a strong athlete who loves the physical contest.
She provides a target to throw to and is an accurate long range shooter.
Tiana Afoa (Brisbane State High School)
Afoa’s hands over pressure either out of the circle in WD or in the circle at GD is something worthy to note.
The challenge she takes to each opposing team with such great tagging ability has contributed to her team’s stellar defensive record.
Not to be underestimated.
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