‘I’m aiming to win multiple Grand Slams’: Tennis ace Jeffrey Strydom is among SA’s emerging sport stars
They might be young but these South Australian athletes are determined to win on the international stage. Meet 10 emerging talents from golf, tennis and the pool.
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They’ve sporting talent in spades and are not afraid to dream big or work hard – many with sights set on smashing records set by the world’s sporting elite.
The Advertiser has reached out to the state’s peak sporting organisations to seek the best young talent, aged 16 and under in 2023, rising up the ranks in individual sport.
When it comes to homegrown young golfers to watch, Golf Australia says there is no question who stands out most – Kade Bryant in the boys competition and Raegan Denton in the girls.
“They are both clearly the best juniors in South Australia and have won junior events nationally,” says state high performance manager Adrian Wickstein.
In other sports, such as swimming, the pool is much broader but the drive is nonetheless fierce.
Logan Rieck, 15, is zeroed in on beating records set by superfish Kyle Chalmers.
While the competitive streak is strong, there is plenty of healthy attitude too.
Young tennis ace Diana Badalyan a case in point.
“I hope to become a professional tennis player when I’m older … I also want to continue having fun and enjoying myself while I am on the court,” the 15-year-old says.
Here are 10 of the best – and emerging – young sportspeople now competing in individual sport across South Australia:
Raegan Denton, golf
As the state’s top rated young female golfer, Raegan Denton’s future is bright.
The 16-year-old Henley High School student, who plays at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club, represented the state in May at the Open Age Championships and has competed internationally.
She was named female captain of the state’s junior team and has already won a swag of local, interstate and national awards, including being named in the School Sports Australia U18 All Australian State Team in 2022.
Denton’s skills, attitude and mindset belie her young age.
“I love the feeling of executing the exact shot I had in my mind, there isn’t a better feeling than getting that perfect strike and the ball finishing right near the hole,” she says.
“It feels fulfilling.
“I love that even though there are usually more downs than ups in golf, the ups always outweigh the downs.”
She has her sights set on being globally-recognised in her sport.
“I aspire to be one of the best female golfers in the world (and) I want to be inspiring to other young females that have the same dreams I do,” she says.
For now, readying to play at her best involves training for two to three hours a night from Monday to Wednesday.
“On Thursday I go to the gym with the Golf Australia high performance program and on Saturday and Sunday, I either play a round at my home club or I spend four to five hours training,” she says.
Her sporting hero is Nelly Korda.
“She has one of the most beautiful swings on tour and is an inspiration to all young women in golf,” she says.
Sporting highlights to date: U15 SA State Champion 2021 and 2022; Sanderson Cup Team of the Year 2021 and 2022; SA Girls Order of Merit winner 2022; captain, School Sport Australia U18 State Team 2022; representing SA in the junior and senior interstate series in both 2022 and 2023; winner of the Victorian Junior Open 2022; exemption for 2023 Victorian Open, first professional event at 15; winner of the SA Junior Amateur, 2023; placed 17th at the FCG Callaway World Championships, 2022 (Palm Desert, California); placed 7th in the US Kids 15 to 18 Teen World Championships, 2022 (Pinehurst, North Carolina).
Logan Rieck, swimming
The young gun, who has just turned 15, is the top swimmer for his age group in South Australia.
Logan Rieck brought home a haul of medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze, from this year’s Australian Age Championships, held on the Gold Coast.
But he has much more lofty aspirations which include, to “break records belonging to Kyle Chalmers and build a name in the swimming community”.
Rieck is well on his way, breaking seven state records at the recent Short Course Championships.
The young Norwood Swimming Club star who is in high school at Glenunga International says he “loves competing and making friends with his competitors from all states”.
What Swimming SA says: “April 2023 National Age Championship (as a 14-year-old) swam a 100m backstroke time that is 9 per cent off the world’s best 8th placed. We look forward to seeing Logan perform strongly and push for national youth selection, while progressing in the pathway to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) in the coming years.”
Diana Badalyan, tennis
At 15, Diana Badalyan’s dream is to be placed in the world’s top 100 female tennis players – and she’s well on her way to achieving that.
“My favourite thing about tennis is that it’s an individual sport and it’s very competitive,” the Athelstone Tennis Club junior says.
“It’s also very mentally challenging but that’s what is so fun about it, you get to figure things out along the way and learn more about yourself as a person.”
Now at Marryatville High School, Badalyan hopes to secure a spot in a US college post school and is approaching her goal with a healthy attitude.
“I hope to become a professional tennis player when I’m older, hopefully I can reach (the) top 100, however I want to continue doing school and go to college in America to pursue my love for tennis,” she says.
“I also want to continue having fun and enjoying myself while I am on the court.”
She lists as a playing highlight winning her way to best under 14 girl – three years in a row.
“I’ve also represented Australia and played for the state multiple times,” she says.
Coached by Peter Clark, she is committed to doing the work needed to help her perform at her best.
“I train everyday, starting from the early morning at 7am and then going back at it again after school,” she says.
“I would say I train really hard, as I think every one of my sessions should be how I want to perform in a match scenario.
“I started running and going to the gym to (improve my fitness) and expand my ability on the court.”
She lists Ajla Tomlijanovic as her sporting hero.
“I really like how she is composed on the court and how she strikes the ball really well,” she says.
“I also love how Andrey Rublev plays, I love his aggressive style but also how he is very respectful and nice off the court.”
Madeleine (Maddy) Trumble, swimming
Now, 17, Madeleine (Maddy) Trumble who attends Immanuel College was 16 when she competed strongly in the National Championships early this year.
“I love swimming because it requires me to set challenging and continuous goals … it’s also very motivating to achieve them through hard work, ” the Marion Swimming Club swimmer says.
Trumble who aspires to “achieve the highest level I can while still loving to swim and compete” has some impressive achievements under her belt.
“(Some of my swimming highlights to date include) achieving top 10 in Australia for my age in sprint freestyle and state champion in multiple sprint events,” she says.
Her training program involves a mix of pool sessions as well as gym work and a strength and conditioning focus.
“(I’ll do) eight swimming sessions a week, a total of 15 hours in the pool,” she says.
“Between (these) I’ll do two to three hours of gym work, one hour of yoga, one hour of pilates and one hour of strength and conditioning.”
She lists Emma McKeon as her sporting superstar, due both to her skill in the water and attitude outside it.
“She is incredibly hardworking and meticulous in how she trains and I aspire to be like that every day,” Trumble says.
What Swimming SA says: “April 2023 National Age Championship (as 16-year-old) swam a 50m Freestyle time that is 7 per cent off the world’s best 8th placed. We look forward to seeing Maddy perform strongly and push for national youth selection, while progressing in the pathway to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) in the coming years.”
Kade Bryant, golf
The young golfer who turned 17 in July is described by Golf Australia as “clearly” the state’s best young male golfer.
The exciting young player – a Henley High School student who represents Glenelg Golf Club – won the most recent South Australian Junior Amateur at Kooyonga Golf Club.
Kade Bryant also represented SA at the Australian Men’s Interstate series and has captained the state team, stepping stones towards his career dream.
“In golf my aspirations are to make (the) PGA tour and become one of the best players in the world,” Bryant says.
Coached by Jamie Clutterham, he lists winning the state junior competition and representing SA at the Australian Men’s Interstate series as his sporting highlights to date.
His training involves individual and high performance sessions with Golf Australia.
“For my fitness program made by our Golf Australia trainer I try and get to the gym four to five times a week … the formal trainings include getting individual coaching once every fortnight to three weeks,” he said.
“(I do) Golf Australia high performance sessions once every month and individual practice five to six times a week.”
Cameron Smith is his sporting idol. “He is the best Australian golfer and I hope I can follow what he is achieving and grow Australian golf to a higher level,” Bryant says.
State high performance manager Adrian Wickstein points to the talented teenager’s junior wins, at a national and state level.
Clara Carrocci, swimming
This emerging swimming superstar was introduced to the pool at six months of age.
Now 15, the Pembroke School student and Norwood Swimming Club was awarded the best overall performer at the this year’s State Age and Open Championships.
“Recently, I qualified to swim at the World Trials in Melbourne and had to race against world swimming champions Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus,” Clara Carrocci says.
“I love the fact that I have made so many friends through sport from out of school and around the country as I have travelled so much for swimming.
“Swimming makes me stronger in many different ways both physically and mentally.
“It has taught me how to be very disciplined and organised as I need to balance training, competing, school work, family and a social life.”
Carrocci, who spends about 18 hours a week training, is already working to qualify to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
“In the near future, I am hoping to make a Junior Australian Swimming Team,” she says.
“I train in the pool seven times a week with each session being around two hours; in addition to swimming I attend three gym sessions per week and run 10km,” she says.
“I get along really well with my coach Luke Curtis as he keeps me focused on the goal and I entertain him with my constant questions and backchat.”
Her hero sportstar?
“Mollie O’Callaghan is my favourite Australian swimmer as she has achieved so much at such a young age – only 19,” she says.
“(Canadian) Summer McIntosh is my favourite international swimmer … she inspires me because she is also young (17) and insanely good.”
What Swimming SA says: “April 2023 National Age Championship (as a 14-year-old) swam a 200m backstroke time that is 7 per cent off the world’s best 8th placed. We look forward to seeing Clara perform strongly and push for national youth selection, while progressing in the pathway to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) in the coming years.”
Jeffrey Strydom, tennis
At 14, Jeffrey Strydom is showing the signs of a champion.
“I am a very competitive person and I love that about tennis,” the talented teenager who plays for the Seacliff Tennis Club (men’s) and Somerton Tennis Club (juniors).
“It is such a competitive sport – (but it is) so fun, just you battling it out with your opponent.”
Coached by dad Jake Strydom, he already boasts an impressive list of competition highlights.
“My recent Europe tour with Tennis Australia was definitely a highlight for me,” he says.
“Winning the Kufstein Austrian Open against Canada’s No. 1 player in the final was probably my best day in tennis yet … this is a tournament won by players such as (Dominic) Thiem and I think (Alexander) Zverev played there, too, when he was 13 or 14.
“Locally, winning the state championships two years in a row was great.
“Other highlights (include) making the semi-finals in the 14 and under Australian hardcourts last year against (older players, born in) 2007 and 2008.
“Also, making the semis earlier this year at the Clay Courts Nationals (14s) was good, especially as I was suffering from some growth-related injuries at the time.”
Strydom says, despite his young age, he is determined to be “the best”.
“(I’m) going for No. 1 and definitely aiming to win multiple Grand Slams,” he says.
“(But) my shorter term goals include winning a junior Australian National championship and any ITF – International Tennis Federation – this year.
“Competing at the Orange Bowl championships in the US at the end of this year is also a goal.”
Strydom says he trains most days, on and off the court.
“I work very hard … (and) I love it,” he says.
“My sessions are mostly very high intensity so I probably spend less time on court than other serious players my age.
“I go to the gym on most days.
“We work on different stuff at different times; my dad and mum are sport coaches and used to be gym coaches … my dad plans my schedule and we also work on technical stuff on our own.
“I do one squad training session per week with Tennis SA and a few hits with different players.”
Strydom says while his style of play is very different to his longstanding sports hero Rafael Nadal, “I have always been a Nadal fan”.
“Right now Djokovic and Alcarez are my heroes, they are amazing fighters and work so hard day in and day our to become the best … I love how they enjoy every moment and how competitive they are,” he says.
Arabella Bahr, swimming
At 16, Arabella Bahr, who swims for the Norwood Swimming Club, has her sights set on the Olympic swimming trials next year, following qualification at both the Commonwealth Games and World Championship trials in 2023.
“Obviously the big goal would be going to the Olympics, but I know that it’s a long road to get there,” the Year 11 Wilderness School student says.
“More immediately I would love the make the Australian junior and senior teams and travel the world doing what I love most.
“The thing I love most about swimming is the rewarding feeling you get from working really hard; swimming is a sport where all the hard work and effort is behind the scenes – people only really see your results at competitions.
“I love the feeling of being able to perform at competitions and be at my best when I know within myself all the work I’ve put in behind the scenes and how hard I’ve worked to get there.”
Her current training regimen includes swimming at her home club nine times a week, each session two and half hours long.
“We also do two gym sessions on top of that; it is a big workload, and getting up six mornings a week at 5am to go to training can be hard, especially in the middle of winter but I really do love the training and I know the harder you work the better the results will be,” she says.
“My schedule is pretty hectic … I guess people at school are just used to my hair being soaking wet in the morning when I get to school … some think swimming is an individual sport but you do a lot of hours with your teammates and friends at training and we push each other to do our best at every session.”
Bahr also enjoys a weekly pilates session with her mum.
And her hero sportstar?
“If I had to pick just one, it would be Mollie O’Callaghan … not only is she absolutely insane and still so young but her skills are obviously a testament to (her) work … every time I watch her on TV, the next morning at training you can bet my fly kicks are the best they have ever been,” she says.
What Swimming SA says: “April 2023 National Age Championship (as a 16-year-old) swam a 400m medley time that is 8 per cent off the world’s best 8th placed. We look forward to seeing Arabella perform strongly and push for national youth selection, while progressing in the pathway to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) in the coming years.”
Iluka Taylor, athletics
In her own words, Iluka Taylor simply “loves to run”.
“I love to run, it is who I am, without it I would be lost,” the 14-year-old Immanuel College student and Western District Athletics Club member says.
“I love the confidence and purpose athletics has given me.”
The teenager, nominated by Athletics SA for her talent, dreams of one day running for Australia at an Olympic Games, her sights set first on the World Junior Championships.
“(But) for now I’m enjoying the journey … with a great team of mentors and training family who support me,” she says.
“I am a 200m and 400m runner with the 400m event my absolute favourite.
“I still compete in the heptathlon which I really enjoy and I also have a love for long jump.
“A lot of work goes into the training side of things (which) is not only physically hard at times but also mentally … as a teenager who likes to try and get things perfect (the mental side) can be the hardest part.
“(However), last year dealing with growing and body changes, I learnt so much about myself and how determined I am … I also learnt that recovery is just as important as training physically.”
And her athlete superstar?
“The one and only Cathy Freeman; I love who she is as a person and what courage she showed, not only representing our country but as the first Aboriginal person to win an Olympic gold medal … the pressure she would have had on her to win the gold medal would have been enormous,” Taylor says.
“I respect the fact she won that medal for herself and to fill her life long dream.”
Leni Newham, swimming
The 16-year-old aspiring Olympian from Barossa Swimming Club “loves to race”.
“Racing is my opportunity to transfer all my hard work in training into the race pool to improve my best times, find new ways to swim a race with different race plans and to prove to myself that my hard work pays off,” Leni Newham says.
For now her training routine includes six pool sessions – each lasting 90 minutes to two hours – a week.
“A swim session will include a warm up, technique focus, pre ‘main set’, ‘main set’, skills, and kick or pull to finish,” she says.
“Before each session I will do 15-20 minutes of dryland warm-up which includes things like resistance bands, skipping, stretching, and activation.
“I also complete a gym session with a personal trainer once a week and two gym sessions alone (in which I focus) on power and muscular strength training, doing exercises like back squats, bench press, lat pulls, rows, and RDLs (Romanian dead lift).”
While her dream is represent Australia at an Olympic Games Newham has a number of goals along the way, starting with Junior Worlds Team selection, moving to the Australian Open Dolphins Team and Commonwealth Games.
She lists seven-time world record holder Emma McKeon as her hero sportstar.
“I swim similar events to Emma and her technique, skills, and endurance is inspiring to watch and she has been a part of the sport for so long … she’s never given up on her goals,” Newham says.
What Swimming SA says: April 2023 National Age Championship (as a 15-year-old) swam a 100m Freestyle time that is 8 per cent off the world’s best 8th placed. We look forward to seeing Leni perform strongly and push for national youth selection, while progressing in the pathway to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) in the coming years.
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