Southeast Queensland schools reveal top sportsmen and women 2023

Southeast Queensland schools have revealed their top performing sportsmen and women of 2023, and the students have shared inspirational takes of their journey to success. SEE THE WINNERS

Southeast Queensland schools reveal top sportsmen and women 2023

Southeast Queensland schools certainly have no shortage of incredible sportspeople, from those dominating their chosen sport to those climbing the ranks in the international circuit, there is a lot to be proud of.

We can now reveal the top young sports men and women of southeast Queensland schools.

See their incredible achievements below.

MADDIE NEWHAM, ST JOHNS ANGLICAN COLLEGE- FEMALE SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

MADDIE NEWHAM, ST JOHNS ANGLICAN COLLEGE- FEMALE SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

What do you plan to do next year?

As a Year 11 student I will be representing St John’s in The Associated Schools (TAS) sporting league in Football, Basketball, Hockey, Netball and Touch Football.

In addition, I will also be competing in Athletics, Swimming and Cross country for TAS.

And among all of this I will continue my sporting commitments outside of St John’s in athletics representing my club Ipswich and District Athletics Club

What sports and how much do you play?

I participate in athletics year-round, engaging in activities like touch football consistently.

Additionally, during TAS terms, I’m involved in swimming and cross country, and I also compete in football, basketball, hockey, and netball while taking part in various athletic meets.

What are some of your key sporting achievements? 

I earned a district record in long jump during the Southern Scorpions district athletic trials and secured a spot on the district team for Swimming, Athletics, and Touch football.

Not only did my relay team clinch victory in the TAS athletics u16 4x100m relay, but I also proudly received the Senior School Female Sports Person of the Year award for 2023.

THOMAS BOOTH, YEAR 11, OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN SPORT- CITIPOINTE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 

THOMAS BOOTH, YEAR 11, OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN SPORT- CITIPOINTE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

What are your plans for the year ahead after Year 12?

I’m in Year 11 and next year I’ll focus on my Year 12 studies as well as continuing to train for major swimming competitions.

I hope to be selected again for an overseas team to represent my country in swimming.

After completing Year 12 at Citipointe I hope to attend university to study business and sports management.

Which sports do you play, and how often?

Swimming is currently my focus sport with weekly training sessions.

Now I am training nine times a week (in two-hour sessions) in the lead-up to the Queensland championships in December.

While I have been involved in other sports, such as soccer and basketball, in recent years I have just focused on my swimming and key competitions within this sport.

Can you share some of your top sporting achievements?

I was selected to compete at the Japan Junior Olympic Cup this year, after placing second in 50m and 100m freestyle at the Australian Age Championships.

This was my first time travelling for an overseas swimming competition and it was an amazing experience both in and out of the pool.

However, I was able to come away with two bronze medals, placing third in the 50m freestyle and third in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay.

SACHA MILLS, YEAR 12, 2023 SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, KIMBERLEY COLLEGE 

SACHA MILLS, YEAR 12, 2023 SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, KIMBERLEY COLLEGE

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year the Downhill Mountain Bike season starts in January with Auscycling Downhill National Series and National Championships.

I will compete in these before heading over to Europe in April for six months to compete in the UCI World Mountain Bike Downhill Series

What sports and how much do you play?

My main focus is on Downhill Mountain Biking I train multiple times a week for this on track and in the gym.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

In 2023 my key sporting achievements have been:

Australian National Champion – Under 19 women Downhill Mountain Bike

Australian National Series Champion – Under 19 women Downhill Mountain Bike

Australian National Champion – Under 19 women Pump Track

Oceania Champion – Under 19 women Downhill Mountain Bike

Queensland State Champion – Under 19 Downhill Mountain Bike

World Championships Downhill Mountain Bike 12th Place

Finalist at three Downhill Mountain Bike World Cups in Europe –

NATE FROST, YEAR 9, JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, NARANGBA VALLEY STATE HIGH SCHOOL

NATE FROST, YEAR 9, JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, NARANGBA VALLEY STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I plan on continuing with sports inside and outside of school and hopefully

branching out and trying new things with sport.

What sports and how much do you play?

At the moment, I play club AFL for Moreton Bay Lions, but we are currently in the off season.

For the time being, I am participating in a spring 5-aside tournament at the Narangba Eagles football club.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

For me, my top sporting achievements would be making it to the sunshine coast Regional team and getting Junior Sportsperson of the year for my school.

ELOISE SCHABE, LORETO COLLEGE- SENIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

ELOISE SCHABE, YEAR 12, Â SENIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR, LORETO COLLEGE

What do I plan to do next year?

I am planning to study either medicine or physiotherapy while continuing to play cricket.

Playing sport has guided me towards wanting a career in one of these fields.

What sports and how much do you play?

My primary sport is cricket.

I play in the women’s premier first grade, which involves a couple of nights of training and full-day games every Sunday from September to March.

I also commit to extra personal training alongside this.

During winter, I play in representative netball for my association.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

Playing for the Queensland under 19 schoolgirls cricket team was a highlight this year.

Scoring my first century in women’s premier grade cricket earlier this year was also a big achievement for me, as

was being the leading wicket taker in the Adelaide Premier League T20 competition late last year.

Being given Loreto’s Alison Lazenby Award for Senior Sportswoman of the Year was also an honour.

ZANDER ESTERHUIZEN, YEAR 12, NORTH LAKES STATE COLLEGE

ZANDER ESTERHUIZEN, YEAR 12, NORTH LAKES STATE COLLEGE

What do you plan to do next year?

I plan to study at the University of Queensland and play colts rugby for them as well. I plan on taking any opportunity that comes available. I will also be doing track and field training and competing throughout the year.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play rugby union and do track and field on the side. I train for rugby twice a week and usually play one game a week, or a tournament every month or so. For track and field, I train once a week, and compete if I don’t have rugby on.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

I made the Queensland u17 rugby sevens side and made the u18 rugby union team which were both held at Sydney. I also competed in the state championships for rugby union and track and field u18.

JOHNATHAN PANG, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, MACGREGOR STATE HIGH SCHOOL

JOHNATHAN PANG, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, MACGREGOR STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I’ll be working as a boilermaker apprentice.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play AFL each week and attend multiple training sessions.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

My key sporting achievements have been playing in Lord Taverners Cricket and Colts AFL.

JESSICA WALKER, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, EMMAUS COLLEGE

JESSICA WALKER, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, EMMAUS COLLEGE

Jessica played in the Open Mixed All Schools Touch Team and the inaugural Confraternity Shield Rugby League Girls Team for Emmaus, where she served as co-captain in both teams.

She is also a Broughton House Captain, winning all three Emmaus Carnivals this year (Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics.

Jessica has shown great sportsmanship throughout the year at many events, encouraging and inspiring others throughout the Emmaus community.

EMILY LOW, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, FERNY GROVE STATE HIGH SCHOOL 

EMILY LOW, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, FERNY GROVE STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

I am moving to America on a water polo scholarship to study and play in college over there.

While playing in college sport I will be doing a bachelor’s in biology and specialising in human nutrition and performance so I can stay connected to sport and performance throughout my studies.

What sports and how much do you play?

I predominantly play water polo now as my chosen sport, which entails swim and gym sessions. I play and train most days of the week.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

My key achievements are reaching Queensland state representation level since I was in U14 age group. T

his has let me travel around Australia to play.

On top of this, being recruited by an American coach is a cool achievement!

ZOE PEACOCK, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, WELLINGTON POINT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

ZOE PEACOCK, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, WELLINGTON POINT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I plan on focusing on training like a professional athlete and overcoming my current knee injury.

I am also training to jump a new personal best in 2024.

My goal is to go to the 2024 World Junior championships in Peru which has a qualifying jump of 1.80m.

I would also like to get a job next year.

I hoping to commence study sometime soon, but only being 17 I have not decided what I want to study yet, I just know it will definitely have something to do with physical activity.

What sports and how much do you play?

I currently compete in high jump at a national level.

I train three times a week, two of which are sprint sessions and the other is a technical high jump session.

However next year not being at school I will be able to focus more on strength training in the gym and plyometric training.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

Some of my key sporting achievements include competing against silver Olympic medallist Nicola Olyslagers after I only started learning and training for high jump in late 2020.

Throughout the past three years I have placed either first or second at the Qld State Championships.

In 2022 I won my first medal at the Australian Schools National Championships placing second on countback and in 2023 placing third at nationals in the U18 age group and fourth in the opens age group jumping a new personal best of 1.82.

NOAH COOK, YEAR 11, SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

NOAH COOK, YEAR 11, SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

I have been voted in as Sports Captain for my House in the upcoming year.

My primary goal is to motivate and encourage fellow students at my school to actively participate in sports.

I plan to continue my own training in basketball, honing my skills and dedication to the sport.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play basketball at club and school.

I dedicate a significant amount of my time to playing basketball and training as well as training sessions at the gym five days a week.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

This year, I made the District Athletics Team for high jump, and also made the District Basketball Team and participated in various inter-school sport and representative competitions, these include:

• Athletics – 17 Years Age Champion

• Athletics – South District Representative

• Basketball – South District Premiers

• Basketball – South District Representative

LILY LANCASTER, SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR- MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

LILY LANCASTER, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I have accepted an early offer to study Psychological Science & Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith Uni and continue my sport.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play soccer every week during the season and train twice a week.

I play futsal with my club which includes weekly training sessions.

I train with my swimming squad three times a week.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

• Swimming – 17 Years Age Champion

• Cross Country – South District Representative

• Football – South District Representative

• Cross Country – 17 Years Age Champion

• National Representative – Futsal

• Division 1 Premiers – Soccer

TYLER BRUTON, JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

TYLER BRUTON, JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

I am planning to compete in as many sports as possible including football, futsal, cross country and athletics in order to win the sportsperson of the year award again.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play football for Wynnum Wolves u16 and also recently represented Brisbane United at the Hooray Cup in China where we played teams such as Borussia Dortmund from Germany and River Plate from Argentina.

I play Futsal with the school team in SFL and other tournaments.

I also have represented the Met East Region at State Championships for futsal.

I do cross country at school as it helps with my fitness for football, I have represented the district twice at the Met East Cross Country.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

• Participated in School Futsal League Grand Final Winners and Premiers

• Participated in QSS Futsal State Championships Winners – Metropolitan East Region

• Participated in Regional Futsal Titles winners – Mount Gravatt High and South Brisbane Club

• Played three Futsal Representative: South District and Metropolitan East Region teams

• Cross Country Representative – South District Representative

• School Futsal League MVP

• Won the Golden Boot – top scorer Club Futsal

Regionals

• Cross Country Age Champion

ELLA SANDILANDS, JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

ELLA SANDILANDS, JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR, MOUNT GRAVATT STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I plan to continue in athletics, and keep participating in all the sporting events I am involved in.

I also plan improve in and work hard to keep doing well in sports.

What sports and how much do you play?

The sports I am involved in are netball and athletics (mostly triple jump and long jump).

I play and train for these sports after school and on the weekend.

I do athletics twice a week and also netball twice a week.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

• Athletics 14 Years Age Champion

• Athletics Metropolitan East Representative

JACK COOMBER, ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE

JACK COOMBER, ST LAURENCES COLLEGE- SPORTS AWARD

What do you plan to do next year?

Keep training outside school with the goal to make another Australian team next year in cross country and track and field.

I am aiming to commit to a College in the US on a scholarship soon, where I will go over next year to study and train.

What sports and how much do you play?

I do cross country and track and field.

Track events usually range from anything above 1500m, usually doing better in the longer events like five kilometres or three kilometres. I train pretty much every day especially nearing competitions hitting around 100km of running each week.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

A few major achievements include making the Australian u20s team at the start of the year for cross country.

I placed 49th in the world for that race.

A more recent result was second at the Australian National Cross Country u20s running a 24:34 for the eight kilometre and a 30:21 minute 10km time at the Gold Coast Marathon.

KOBE BLAKE, MALE SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, ST JOHNS ANGLICAN COLLEGE

KOBE BLAKE, MALE SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, ST JOHNS ANGLICAN COLLEGE

What do you plan to do next year?

After graduating from St John’s this year, I plan to commence university delving into the realm of health and wellness as I embark on a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.

In addition to my studies, my passion for athletics will continue to be a central focus in the upcoming year.

With the conclusion of school sports, I am thrilled to channel my undivided attention and energy into honing my skills and pushing my boundaries in the realm of Athletics.

What sports and how much do you play?

Sports have played a significant role in my life, with my main sport being athletics.

Beyond the track, I’ve actively participated in a diverse range of sports, including cross country and swimming, showcasing my versatility at inter-school carnivals throughout my entire schooling experience.

While at St John’s I have played cricket, volleyball, tennis and soccer, and I played a variety of other sports such as, touch football, AFL and rugby while in primary school.

These sports have taken up a lot of my time over the years; I’ve dedicated a minimum of 10 hours per week to these pursuits, with certain weeks requiring an even greater investment.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

Some of my key sporting achievements include qualifying for the national athletics championships on three separate occasions. Representing Queensland in both the 110m and 400m hurdles where, last year I managed to qualify for the final and placed fifth in the 400m Hurdles.

Another significant highlight in my sporting endeavours is the honour of being crowned Senior Sportsperson of the Year at St John’s for three consecutive years.

KYA HORRIDGE, YEAR 11, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, CENTENARY STATE HIGH SCHOOL

KYA HORRIDGE, YEAR 11, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, CENTENARY STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I will be in my final year of high school.

This will be my focus, along with a feat of sporting endeavours.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play a variety of sports both through school, club and at a representative level.

At school I participate in Gala Days for touch football and AFL, as well as being included in the school netball teams for Met Finals, Super Sevens and the Vicki Wilson Cup.

In 2023, I was in the Open Mixed touch football team who placed third at All Schools.

I’ve been lucky enough to trial and participate in state championships for Met West in touch football and athletics, as well as being invited into the North West netball team to play at the State Championships.

Outside of school, I train with an athletics coach and compete for UQ Athletics.

I play club netball for Kenmore Bears.

I have also recently started training with the UQ Elite Women’s 7s squad and am planning to play in the UQ Elite U18 Women’s 7s squad in December.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

One of my key sporting achievements would be being selected for Queensland Indoor Netball.

I played at nationals last year in Melbourne and have been selected again for the U16 team and will be playing at the end of November – start of December in Springwood.

It was an amazing experience to play last year and I learnt so much so I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to play again this year.

MOLLY GREEN, ST PETER CALVERS- SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

MOLLY GREEN, ST PETER CALVERS-SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

What do you plan to do next year?

Next year I am taking on my Diploma in Sport & Business management while working part time in OSCH. I will be doing Indoor netball while studying.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play touch football, Oztag and netball.

My key sport is netball, from training six days a week to experiencing an injury was a struggle, but next season I will be back bigger and stronger.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

My major sporting achievements over the past 12 months are:

· Making the indoor U19 QLD Women’s Team.

Selected in the outdoor QLD Squad.

Captaining U17 CPNA rep team and getting MVP.

Captaining SPCC Netball Team.

Captaining Metropolitan West in Netball.

Age Champion at SPCC Athletics Carnival.

Winning the Grand Final in my club team ‘New Era’.

Sports Woman of the Year at SPCC.

CASSANDRE MALISH, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, YERONGA STATE HIGH SCHOOL

CASSANDRE MALISH, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, YERONGA STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

I’m looking forward to representing QLD for triple jump and high jump.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play basketball and play it as much as I can – in and outside of school.

I am very much into athletics track and field.

I competed in 100m, 200m, triple jump, high jump and long jump at the QLD all schools championship.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

I won the silver medal at the Nationals Track and Field Championship last year for triple jump.

JUDE KNAPP, SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR, MARIST COLLEGE

JUDE KNAPP, SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR, MARIST COLLEGE

What do you plan to do next year?

I am planning to attend university next year with the intention of studying construction management and simultaneously undertaking a carpentry apprenticeship.

I will also be continuing with rugby union playing for GPS Rugby Club.

What sports and how much do you play?

During my time at Marist College Ashgrove, I actively participated in a variety of sports, particularly rugby union, volleyball, and cricket throughout my primary years.

I had the privilege of being extensively involved in these programs, eventually playing for the first teams during my senior years.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

Among my notable achievements in sports at Ashgrove, fulfilling the dream of being part of the First XV in rugby was a significant highlight. Furthermore, I had the honour of captaining the First VI volleyball team this year and assuming a vice-captaincy role in the first rugby league team.

CHLOE ROGERS, MT ALVERNIA COLLEGE, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

CHLOE ROGERS, MT ALVERNIA COLLEGE, SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

What sports and how much do you play?

I play netball in representative teams and with Queensland Catholic Netball Association (QCNA) and Greater Brisbane Netball League (GBNL) and in the Mount Alvernia College Opens team, which competed at the QISSN and Vicki Wilson Cup competitions.

I play AFL and rugby, representing Mount Alvernia College and Metropolitan North in both.

I also competed in touch football at Mount Alvernia College.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

This year I won Sportswoman of the Year and Senior Sportswoman of the Year, as well as the Team Spirit Award from GBNL.

Last year I won the Mount Alvernia College Sporting Excellence Silver Award, as well as Most Valuable Defender and Players’ Player for QCNA.

I have also captained my netball, rugby and AFL teams.

HARVEY SCHUTTE, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, THE GAP STATE HIGH SCHOOL

HARVEY SCHUTTE, SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR, THE GAP STATE HIGH SCHOOL

What do you plan to do next year?

My goals for next year are to win indoor volleyball nationals again and also get a good result at the beach volleyball nationals.

I also would love to represent Australia in the U18 Asian championships late next year.

What sports and how much do you play?

I play indoor volleyball and also throw discus.

I train volleyball six times a week during the season and train discus much less frequently as a bit of enjoyment.

What are some of your key sporting achievements?

My biggest achievement is playing volleyball in Thailand representing Australia during the national development camp as it was my first time competing internationally.

Some other achievements are winning gold at the 2017 Pacific Games for discus and being part of the winning team at the Australian Indoor Volleyball Nationals two years in a row.

PADRAIG HEFFERNAN, JOHN PAUL COLLEGE- BEST ALL-ROUND SPORTSPERSON

What award have you won and why?

I am honoured to have received the Bradley Cup for the finest all-round sportsperson at JPC, a recognition that celebrates the dedication and passion I invest in various sports. These sports include cross country, athletics, swimming and cricket. Each discipline has played a pivotal role in shaping my sporting excellence.

How much time and effort do you put into your chosen area that you’ve been awarded for?

In my primary sport, running, I train five to six times a week and hit the gym twice a week, reflecting my unwavering dedication to excel. The time and effort invested in training have been instrumental in achieving this award.

Do you have future career plans to follow in this field?

Looking ahead, I am hoping to represent Australia on the international stage in both athletics and cross country. I also aim to secure a spot in the Australian world junior teams, representing Australia at the World Athletics U20 Championships and the World Athletics Cross Country Championships. This award serves as a testament to my dedication and discipline, motivating me to continue my journey towards greater achievements.