Young guns making their mark in their respective codes

These young guns are shining in their chosen fields of endeavour and have bright futures ahead. Read about the next generation of champion athletes here.

Central Queensland continues to produce sporting stars in a variety of codes.

Here we turn the focus on 10 of the rising stars who are shining in their chosen field of endeavour.

These young guns are making their mark on courts and courses, from the pitch to the pool and on various footy fields.

Read about the next generation of the region’s champion athletes.

Basketballer Mitchell Kuhl. Picture: Jody Grayson

Mitchell Kuhl (basketball): Standing at 2m, the towering teenager is a force to be reckoned with on the floor. Mitchell, 17, has a good inside/outside game, something that is vital in the modern game. His defence is outstanding; he can change a lot of shots with his length and his athleticism allows him to get up and protect the basket. His shooting is improving and he’s a player that teams cannot afford to leave open. He will be a vital member of the North Queensland under-18 team at this week’s national championships in Ballarat, where he will likely play as a power forward or shooting forward. He was called into the Rockhampton Rockets men’s squad last year and performed strongly when called upon, and is expected to play a much bigger role for them in this year’s NBL1 North competition.

Aussie rules player Kaylee Kimber.

Kaylee Kimber (Australian rules): The Moranbah product has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Australian rules. She first got her hands on a Sherrin last year, playing with the Moranbah Bulldogs senior women’s team in the Mackay AFL League. It was clear from the get-go she had the makings of a star. She was quickly identified by the Gold Coast Suns and included in their academy, and earned a scholarship with the Southport Sharks who play in the QAFL. In just her second year in the game, Kaylee was named in the Queensland under-18 team which contested the 2022 NAB AFLW national championships. A wing or forward flanker, she can read the play incredibly well and has the ability to turn a game on its head. She can run all day and take a spectacular mark, and has an uncanny knack for always being in the right place at the right time.

Rugby league player Jett Day.

Jett Day (rugby league): A strong and athletic second rower who was a standout performer for the CQ Capras under-16 team which finished fourth in the QRL’s Cyril Connell Challenge. An impressive athlete, he has been signed by the Canterbury Bulldogs. Jett brings energy and enthusiasm and is a player who leads with both his words and his actions. He is as fast as any outside back, is very skilful and is an intimidating defender. He is a real student of the game, always wanting feedback and asking the right questions to keep improving.

Eli Parsons (golf): This young golfer is blazing an incredible trail on courses across Central Queensland and beyond. In February this year and aged just 10, Eli became the youngest player ever to compete in the men’s competition at the Rockhampton Golf Club. Playing off a handicap of 24, he had 38 stableford points to win C-grade. The little champion had an amazing 2021, winning the Rockhampton and Emu Park Junior Open C-grade events, and finishing runner-up at Gracemere. He also finished fourth against the country’s best in the nine-year division at the 2021 US Kids Golf Australian Masters at the Hunter Valley. He is now gearing up to play the Australian Age Division Tournament at the Gold Coast over Easter. He has a strong all-round game, a great work ethic and a good understanding of the game, all of which is sure to guarantee more success.

Mickey Busby (touch): A real competitor and great team player, Mickey appears destined for big things. His strengths are his speed, his long pass and his never-say-die attitude. The talented teen was instrumental in The Cathedral College 13 years boys’ run to the semi-finals at Queensland All Schools last year. Mickey will be looking for leading roles again when he plays for the 14 boys Rocky Redbacks Red team at the Junior State Cup and for the Capricornia under-15 schoolboys this year. He is also in contention to be named in the CQ Bulls 14 boys team to compete at the National Youth Championships.

Abbey Harvey (cricket): At just 15, the gifted all-rounder has cemented her place as one of Central Queensland’s leading female cricketers. A medium pacer who normally comes on first change, she is also handy with the willow. Abbey starred in the Frenchville Sports Club women’s 2021/22 competition. She finished the season as the top run-scorer with 364 and the third-highest wicket taker with seven. She starred for Capricorn Coast Parkana in their grand final win, blasting 70 off 42 balls and taking 1-14 off four overs. She also produced strong performances for Grammar in Rockhampton Cricket’s men’s third grade division and the Junior Division 1 competition.

Tennis player Charlie Stirling.

Charlie Stirling (tennis): The Rockhampton teen has a steely focus that players much older and more experienced would love to possess. Her never-give-up attitude and her mental toughness are two of her traits but her incredible speed around the court is her greatest asset. Charlie has a well-rounded game, which she has worked to fine tune since she first hit the court as a four-year-old. She served up victory in the 15 years and under division on the Central Region circuit last year, and also made the final of the Queensland Junior Development Series. Charlie also represented Capricornia at the Queensland 13-19 years state championships in Caloundra.

Swimmer Spencer Brown.

Spencer Brown (swimming): The 14-year-old Caribeae Swimming Club member is making a real splash. He is heading to next month’s nationals, where he will race in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. It is the first year he is eligible to compete and he actually qualified as a 13-year-old. His times put him up with the best in the country in his age group so there’s a good chance he will make the final in all three distances. Spencer recently won the 14 years 50m breaststroke at the Queensland Sprint Championships. His time would also have won him the 15 years age group and placed him second in the 16 years age group. Spencer loves swimming, is very coachable and very grounded. He has a great attitude and knows what he needs to do to get results.

Cyclist Victoria Smith.

Victoria Smith (cycling): The 15-year-old has come a long way in the two and a half years she has been plying her trade on the track. Victoria is now competing at her first nationals in Brisbane. She earned selection after a strong showing at the state championships in December last year. That followed victory in the women’s wheel race in Mackay in September, and the under-17 wheel race at Bundaberg in November. In January, she powered home to finish second in a quality Capricornia Cup field. Victoria is really coming into her own in the sprint events, with her power and explosiveness difficult for opponents to combat. Her success has much to do with her incredible work ethic, her commitment and her willingness to listen and learn.

Sam Durkin (trampolining): The 16-year-old’s career continues to scale great heights. His most recent success came at the NSW Senior State Championships where, competing in the Junior International Men’s under-22 division, he won silver in trampoline. He also teamed up with Matt Grieves to score bronze in the Level 7-10 synchronised trampoline at the Queensland championships. Sam has been a fixture in Queensland underage teams since age nine and has claimed a host of state and national titles. As a 14-year-old, he represented Australia at the 27th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Age Group Competitions in Japan in 2019. He is now preparing to compete for the first time in the under-22 division at nationals in both trampoline and double mini trampoline. A member of Queensland’s high performance squad and Gymnastics Australia’s national training squad, Sam is incredibly focused and dedicated to the sport. His work ethic combined with his physical attributes and natural talent have him poised for more success.