Swimming, soccer, footy, boxing: Future 2032 Queensland Olympians revealed
With the Olympics to be hosted in our own backyard in less than a decade, we’ve selected some of the best southwest young guns who could make our country proud at the 2032 games.
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While not necessarily known for producing Olympians, southwest Queensland has produced a huge amount of national and international sporting superstars.
The greater Downs area is a hotbed of talent, with elite athletes across a wide variety of codes and sports, from rugby league, swimming and track events owing the regions to the beginning of their sporting journey.
Olympian Matt Denny, from the Southern Downs town of Allora, is a local legend who made headlines around the world when he narrowly missed out on a podium finish, coming fourth at the Tokyo games.
Mr Denny said he was humbled at how much not only the Southern Downs got behind him, but the wider Australian public.
However for kids in rural areas, it’s often an uphill battle to get sporting talent recognised.
“There was no real avenue for me, it was all just self-drive and dedication,” he told The Chronicle in 2021 at a special luncheon aimed at securing opportunities for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
“I wouldn’t be the athlete I am without the process, but in saying that if we are focused to get more rural athletes to the Olympics and have a higher success rate, that process has to be put in.
“There are a lot of people who didn’t have the right pathway or support to get where they wanted.
“Rural communities don’t have the facilities that they deserve, so I’m passionate about bringing elite sport and education services to rural areas.”
“If you weren’t watching you probably would’ve been run out of town,” he said.
“He’s a proud Allora boy and his family has strong ties to the community, so we’re eager to honour him,” Cronin said.
With the Los Angeles Olympics fast approaching in 2028 before the games head down under for Brisbane 2032, we’ve tracked down some of the brilliant young talent emerging from the southwest Queensland.
Swimming
A classic sport Australia often dominates in, swimming will be a hotly contested competition at the 2032 Olympics. The Southern Downs produces some amazing swimmers who feature at national and state competitions, smashing PBs regularly.
Bailey Harm – Allora
Harm, a gun swimmer from Allora, is a three time state champion at only 15.
The Scots PGC student was a selected athlete in the You for 2032 Swim program, and was awarded the Olympic Pathway scholarship for the Darling Downs region.
It seems the only person in the way of Harm dominating events across the country is himself, after he breaks records and PBs left and right.
At the recent Darling Downs Regional Swimming Association Championships, he broke six age records plus two open age records, winning all eight events including the Regional Short Course Open Sprint Championship.
Lachlan Parker – Toowoomba
At 14, Parker is already breaking strides as one of the best swimmers under-18 in the Garden City.
Parker has swum at both the National School Championships and the Australian Age Champion, and is a keen member of Toowoomba Grammar swim team.
“I approach every race the same,” Parker told The Chronicle earlier this year.
READ OUR LIST OF SOME OF THE BEST SWIMMERS IN TOOWOOMBA
Maeve Moore – Allora
Maeve Moore is a young gun from Allora with an impressive number of wins under her belt.
Moore recently finish fourth place in the country at the School Sport Australia National Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre as part of the Queensland Swim Team.
The 11-year-old was the only female in the Darling Downs region to qualify for her age group at the National Championships in 2023.
Last year, she competed at the national-level School Sport Australia competition, securing a silver in the under-10 girls relay.
Outside of swimming, she is a keen netballer and high jumper and made the Southern Downs side for netball in 2022.
Ben Armbruster – Stanthorpe
Armbruster has his mind firmly set on competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and there is no doubt he could become a fixture in the men’s swimming team for Australia for the next decade.
From Stanthorpe, Armbruster has been a “natural swimmer” since he was four years old.
The 21-year-old made his Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham in 2022 where he reached the final of the men's 50m backstroke.
Armbruster is also the national champion in the 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke.
Football
After the Matildas domination at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and a fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo games, both male and female codes of the great game of football are expected to dazzle when Brisbane hosts the Olympics.
Emmett Schnitzerling – Stanthorpe
A Stanthorpe under-13 star in the making is fast headed towards a future career in professional football, with the young talent selected to play in Germany next year.
It comes after the 12-year-old young gun dominated a small competition in northern NSW, and plays at a under-16 level in the local Stanthorpe comp.
In the three short years Emmett Schnitzerling has played for Stanthorpe Carlton United Football Club, and is smashing it, being selected to play internationally due to his flair for the game.
Stanthorpe Carlton United Football Club coach Tim Gaske described Emmett as a natural player, with a bright future in soccer ahead.
“It’s a great achievement, the (Joey’s Mini competition) is a tough one,” he said.
“He’s gone from the first year being a good player to after three years being the best player for his age in the Stanthorpe competition.”
“He’s improved out of sight and if he keeps up at this trajectory, he’s going to be a very good player in higher level competitions,” he said.
Zara Kruger – Warwick
Fast on her way to become a Matilda, Scots PGC student Zara Kruger is making huge strides in her football career, and is definitely one to watch.
Kruger has gone from strength to strength, starting out with local Downs side as an under-7 and now, ten years later, she’s kicking more goals than ever.
In early 2023, she signed with Brisbane Roar, and then to women’s champions Sydney FC.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder made 10 league appearances with the Brisbane side, and was named a Young Matilda making an impact in the under-20 Pacific Women’s Four Nations Tournament, winning the competition.
“It’s been crazy, I got the call up to the Young Matildas camp which I’m really excited about, playing with the Matildas would be a bit of a dream,” Kruger told Warwick Daily News.
“I like the intensity and there’s a lot more training, but it’s been something I’ve been working towards since I was young.”
Kruger was also named one of SEQ’s top soccer schoolgirls making their mark in the state.
Rugby league
A potential newcomer to the Olympics, Rugby league is expected to be one of the new sports put forward for the 2032 games, alongside cricket, with countries from all around the world loving the code.
Jake Burnell – Stanthorpe
Burnell has been a standout player since he joined Stanthorpe Gremlins Rugby League at age 10.
Now, a decade later he’s showing all his hard work is paying off, and winning player of the year for 2022.
Stanthorpe Gremlins club president Roger O’Brien said was no surprise to that Jake made the grade.
“He’s a real superstar and is still a big part of the club, he’s always gone above and beyond reffing both junior and senior grades when he’s visiting home,” he said.
“We wish him all the best in New Zealand and can’t wait to see where it leads him and the great things he achieves in the future.”
The first round of the Aus Uni’s New Zealand competition will begin on October 19.
Aaron Hinch – Warwick
Warwick’s Aaron Hinch was a terrific performer for Scots PGS last year for rugby, before switching codes to league as a fullback.
Hinch now plays with Valley Roosters in Toowoomba, and has received the call up to play with the Clydesdales in the Q Cup this year.
In 2022, Hinch was described by his former Scots coach as a dynamic player with “the X-factor”.
“Hinch is a Warwick High boy, (and) has quickly become a well-loved member of the team for his enthusiasm for the game.”
Jackson Harrison Gander – Dalby
The U16 fullback is referred to by his coach as “electric” and a player who puts the work in to develop and hone his skills.
“Jackson is an electric fullback in the mould of (James) Tedesco, who has been working exceptionally hard to improve his game,” coach Dave Tate said.
“(He) does everything with intent, leads from the back and is a key organisational player.”
SEE OUR FULL LIST OF FUTURE LEAGUE STARS FROM DALBY
Boxing
The future of boxing at the Olympics is under a cloud of doubt ahead of the 2028 Olympics, with the sport fighting for its future at the event, however, there is still some huge young guns making their mark in the state.
Judd Alderton – Dalby
At just 15, Dalby student Judd Alderton chose to go down the boxing path because he enjoys the dedication and work that’s required.
In July, his hard work paid off when he took home the gold medal for Australian junior under 16 in the 63kg division championship at the 2023 Australian Schools Boxing competition.
While it seems like he’s already accomplished so much, the teen has his eyes set on the next prize with the aim of competing at an international level at the end of the year.
“If you lose it’s on you, but when you win it’s also just on you. When I was younger, I didn’t have the highest amount of friends but boxing has showed me what I need and it’s given me discipline,” Alderton told Dalby Herald
“It’s just the start of the journey, that’s where I’m at now,” he said.
Do you know any future Olympians in the region, or any up and coming sports stars? Get in contact via Facebook or email us at warwick@news.com.au
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