Logan’s rich and diverse young school sporting stars revealed
The best Logan school sporting stars have been revealed. We’ve highlighted more than 40 of the top youngsters for 2020. See who is on the list.
Logan
Don't miss out on the headlines from Logan . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Logan City is one of the richest sources of sporting talent in Australia. You name it, Logan has it courtesy of amazing achieving young men and women. We highlight some of the high achievers in school sports in an array of diverse sporting pursuits.
MORE TOP SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
SOUTHEAST BRISBANE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
LOGAN’S TOP SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
BEST OF THE WEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
NORTH BRISBANE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
REDCLIFFE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
MORETON’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
REDLANDS’ BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
BAYSIDE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
FLAGSTONE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SAGE SMITH
Sage Smith’s is a natural on a horse and it showed at the state championship after winning both the paint back competition and the paint dressage championships. The equestrian rider on the rise grew up watching her mother riding so for her getting on a horse was as natural as riding a bike is for most of us. Her first competition show was when she was aged just four and a half and the Flagstone State Community College student has not looked back. “I find it fun and have a bond with my horses,’’ she said, adding she has worked with around 50 horses so far. Smith, who also has a number of categories at Royal and Show Horse Council Queensland in her sights, said she would continue showing and was contemplating competing in jumping.
KOBE FOX
The Flagstone State Community College student Kobe Fox is an outstanding young baseballer who helped Queensland win the under 16 national youth titles in 2019. A Beenleigh Hawks junior, Fox started playing aged just four years after following his father into the sport. “Dad played and so did I by starting in the under 8s T-ball,’’ Fox said.
RYAN PORTER
Porter is a boxing young gun who holds the junior 50kg state and national golden gloves championship titles. Success at national level is reward for his enormous work ethic which sees him train every day, except Sunday, at Beaudesert Boxing Club. Porter originally started in the sport in late 2015 to keep fit, but enjoyed it so much that he moved toward his first competition bout in early 2016.
KURTIS TENNANT
Tennant started go karting five years ago after seeing a friend doing it, so he thought he would give the sport a go. And what a success he has been. Last year Tennant was third in Australia at the national championships and finishing second in Queensland. He trains once or twice a month at Willowbank Ipswich Cart Club.
BEENLEIGH STATE HIGH SCHOOL
PETER TIMUIALATOGO
Peter Timuialatogo is a rising star in the sport of Volleyball at Beenleigh SHS.
This year Timuialatogo gained Pacific District representation, selection in the south coast 15 years team and captained the Beenleigh SHS year 9 team to a Pacific District Championship competing at the Queensland Volleyball Beach Schools Cup.
Long term local identity and Beenleigh SHS physical education head Eric Massey said Timuialatogo’s rise had been impressive, considering that prior to 2020 Timuialatogo had not played any organised form of volleyball. Mr Massey said Timuialatogo showed a natural talent in the sport which had seen him rise to regional selection in a short period of time. “Peter displays power in his spiking and uses an effective jump serve that would normally be associated with more experienced players,’’ Massey said. “Although he prefers to play as a specialist spiker, he is also a very capable setter. Peter has a real passion for his sport and uses every opportunity to practise and refine his skills. Alongside this Peter is a diligent student and the school looks forward to him progressing in both his sport and his schoolwork.’’
BROWNS PLAINS STATE HIGH SCHOOL
HOLDEN PUTAURA
Holden is one to watch in netball, a rich talent nursery for the sport. Holden is an Australian under 17 men’s netball team (outdoor) representative, and was part of an invitational team that toured New Zealand last year.
CLODAGH RYALL
The name Clodagh Ryall has been a constant in junior Queensland cricket representative teams over the years and is a member of the Queensland Pathway Academy Program. Recent highlights include:
– selected in the National Women’s Cricket indigenous Teams
– selected in the under 18s Queensland Cricket
– selected into the Queensland Women’s Cricket indigenous Team, where she won best bowler in the National indigenous Cricket Championships. She was then named in the Women’s Black Caps squad.
NATHAN BRITTON
Nathen is an outstanding athlete who, in the gruelling 1500m event at the Queensland Track and Field Championships, secured a meritorious top 10 finish (eighth).
EZRA TIATIA
Tiatia from Browns Plains SHS is an Australian under 21 men’s netball team (indoor) selection. Tiatia was due to travel with the national invitational team this year, but the tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
JORJI and ROSE COLLINS
Jorji Collins has been recuirted into the Gold Coast Suns under 15 Australian Football Youth Training program alongside her sister Rose who is in the Sunsets under 17 training group. Jorji, who is also a West School Sport touch football representative, was set to play for the Met West School Sport under 14 Aussie rules side until the COVID-19 crisis arose.
MARSDEN STATE HIGH SCHOOL
TONY FRANCIS
Francis is a dynamic rugby league centre who the Brisbane Broncos wasted no time in contracting. Francis gained valuable big match experience against the best in the state last year playing in the national schoolboy finals’s series which would serve him well in this season Lnnger Cup competition scheduled to start in late July.
LILLY DUNN
Dunn is a member of an exciting next generation sweeping through Marsden SHS. An outstanding schoolgirl footballer, her talent has been identified by the QAS who placed her in both the under 13 and under 12 football programs.
LYVANTE SU’EMAI
The quietly spoken Su’emai is such a prolific talent that she is ranked No. 1 under 18 in discus and hammer across Australia, No. 1 under 20 in discus and shot put and No. 3 in hammer, while in the open competition she is No. 4 in the discus and No. 3 in shot put. She is also a wonderful reflection on her family and community, and openly expresses her pride in her heritage, her community, her school community at Marsden SHS and her family.
DESTINY BRILL
One out of the box, Brill is a thrilling rugby talent. Earlier this year she made her debut for the Queensland Reds women’s side aged just 16. And she was an instant hit, scoring two tries. She is receiving expert mentoring from Reds halfback and Marsden SHS schoolteacher Cobie-Jane Morgan
CONNOR GILLEN
Gillen is a pocket dynamo, the Australian Junior Muaythai champion for ages 16-17 years in the 51kg category
GROVES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
ZALI CROUCH (Year 5 student)
Zali has a passion for golf, having played the sport since the tender age of just four years. The Groves Christian College student enjoys going out every day at Windaroo Lakes Golf Club with her dad and playing until dark. Now aged nine, Zali has been reeling in some amazing milestones in the sport including winning the US Kids Brisbane Autumn & Spring Tour championships last year. She also received an invitation to compete at the US Kids World Championships held at the prestigious Pinehurst course. Training morning and afternoon, Zali is working hard to improve her golf, overseen by her coach, Danny Bird and her parents. She has a wonderful following of people and is a brand ambassador for golf clothing brand, Chinnydipper. Zali has had many other brand representation opportunities including collaborations with Redbelly Active clothing and showcasing the aboriginal artistry of NAIDOC acclaimed artist, Daren Dunn. She has recently started 18 hole competitions and aspires to become a professional and play on the LPGA tour one day. Zali’s dream is to become the first indigenous female golfer to reach number 1. “With her passion and love for the game and the determination to achieve her dreams, she is well on her way to making a mark on the Australian golf scene,’’ a Grove Christian College spokesperson said.
CYRUS MALSAWMKIMA
This is the second year Cyrus has played at Brisbane Roar Football Youth Academy. He has played at a higher age level every year, and is currently a 14-year-old playing at under 15 level. He has represented District, Regional and State from 2017 at the age of 11,12 and 13. This year, at the FIFA Youth Championship 2020, if it is not been cancelled due to COVID-19 crisis, he will represent Queensland and also his club at Coffs Harbour in September. Cyrus is a young talented boy when it comes to athletes. He loves sport. He is active and never wants to miss his training. Even when he is feeling sick, he will continue to get on with and not let his team down. His dream is to become a professional Football Player and he’s biggest dream is one day to represent Australia at the World Cup.
JESSICA BOI
The Groves Christian College year 12 student is a committed Futsal player and has consistently participated throughout her secondary schooling life in sport. In 2019, Jessica’s performances were so strong she made the Australian side for under 19 girls futsal side and was due to play in America this year. Jessica made the tough, but noble decision to postpone this dream of playing for Australia and instead decided to focus on her Year 12 study. She has gone through the selection process again this year and has once again made the Queensland City team for Futsal, a pathway back to the Australian spot she gave up in 2019 for her commitment to her studies.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE, PRIMARY STUDENTS
MIN OH
The year five swimmer continues to impress in the pool, not only breaking college records at Interhouse Swimming Carnivals but also at a Metropolitan East/Queensland level. Min broke three records at the Metropolitan East trials before selection in the 11 years 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and the 200IM. Min recently competed at the McDonald’s Brisbane Junior Metropolitan Swimming Championships, winning a gold medal in the 10 years 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly and a silver medal in the 200m freestyle and 50m freestyle. Min also won gold in the 100m freestyle relay and 100m medley relay representing Chandler Swimming Club. Min competed at the Queensland Sprint Championships in February. claiming a gold medal in the 10 years Breaststroke and won bronze in the 50m Freestyle event.
LACHLAN KOHL
The year six tennis player is one of only four boys from Queensland selected to attend the National Tennis Academy in Melbourne. The Super 10s National competition was held in the second week of the Australian Open and was designed to bring together 64 of Australia’s best junior performers. Lachlan is a promising young tennis player which a big future ahead of him.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE, SECONDARY STUDENTS
HEIDI DENNIS
Heidi has been selected to be part of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) under 15 Football Squad for 2020. The best girls from all over Queensland are selected in the squad and will receive training from top coaches. This is the top tier in their age and sport, and Heidi will compete in the boys NPL competition. It is her second year in the program. Heidi also remains a key player in the girls intermediate soccer team in the TAS competition and is invaluable to this teams success. Aside of football Heidi is also a very talented hockey player and athlete where she has enjoyed many podium finishes. Heidi holds state titles in the 200m hurdles, shot put and high jump entered this year.
NEVE TRATT
Neve captains the JPC girls Firsts Basketball team at John Paul College and was selected to represent Queensland at the under 20 Australian Junior Basketball Championships in Canberra earlier this year. She went on to vice-captain her under state team that claimed a silver medal at these national championships.
ELLA BLACKMAN
A year 12 netballer, Ella has been selected this year into the Logan District and Metropolitan East netball teams. Ella was also named in the National indigenous Open School Girls Netball team to compete in South Africa in May at the International School Girls Netball Championships.
BRYCE THOMAS
The year nine futsal and volleyball exponent has been selected in many representative teams, including the Futsal Metropolitan East under 13 team as well as at a Queensland level.
Over the last summer holidays Bryce represented Queensland City and competed at the National Club Futsal Championships, finishing third out of 19 teams. From this competition he was then selected into the boys under 14 Australian team to tour the United Kingdom and Scotland in October. On the volleyball court, he has been selected in the Queensland under 14 team and played at the Australian National Volleyball Championships last year.
LILLANNA RENNIE
The year 11 JPS student made the Metropolitan East Netball team to compete at the state titles and has previously made the Queensland team. She has competed at the state age netball championship with Logan City netball 15A’s representative team, winning the 15 years championship. She was also vice-captain of the Queensland side and is the only Queenslanders to be named in the School Sports All Australia Netball team. The rookie has also been selected in the under 16s Brisbane South QUT Wildcats team.
JOSH SHAH
A year 11 cross country and distance runner is one of the John Paul College’s sports captains and is captain of the cross country team. Josh attended the state athletics championships in March and won a bronze medal in the 2000m steeplechase. He then secured a place to represent Queensland at the Australian National Junior Championships in Sydney which were cancelled.
SHAILER PARK STATE HIGH SCHOOL
BENJAMIN LEE AND ZAINE KOENEMAN
Benjamin Lee (year 11) and Zaine Koeneman (year 9) played in the senior boys Division 2 competition at the 2020 Beach Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast earlier this year. The pair played against schools from all over Queensland.and won the silver medal. The boys completed against mostly year 12 students and were undefeated until the grand final, which they lost by just one point.
ALIIYAH, ASH FAULKER, BROOKE DAVIDSON, DARLAI WARNER
This awesome foursome claimed a bronze medal at the 2020 Beach Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast earlier this year. They competed in the Year 7/8 fours and their medal winning effort came in the girls’ first ever beach competition. The girls dominated with their strong overarm serves.
CHISHOLM COLLEGE
JAVARNE HUNT
The Chisholm year 11 student has a huge list of achievements including:
2020 – Queensland State Performance program, under 18s.
2020 – Logan thunder Division 1 under 18 mens rep team
2020 – South coast Regional team under 18
This followed an array of high achievements in the under 16 age group during 2019, including being named MVP for the Logan Thunder and in the All-Star starting 5 competition.
He was also the captain and team MVP of the Chisholm Catholic College under 15 boys.
His goals for the future are simple: “To play for Australia, to play NCAA division 1 college basketball and to play in the NBA.
Head coach at Chisholm Zac Dunfee said: “Javarne is generational talent. He is one of the best players to ever come through our school. His work ethic, natural ability, Leadership both on and off the court amazes me every day.
“He has single handily hit dozens of game winning shots and buzzer beaters in the some of the biggest games and moments Chisholm has had over the last few years, winning us games at the highest level in division 1 school national championships.
“He has an extremely bright future in front of him as a professional athlete and basketball player.’’
DANNY KAVANGH.
The year nine Chisholm College student competes in Track and Field is a real eye-catcher in a variety of disciplines. Just a few months ago prior to the COVID-19 shut down, Danny competed at the Australian Combined Event Championships and finished fourth in the under 15 boys heptathlon. After this event Danny was selected into the A-SQUAD for the heptathlon which is a national talent squad, targeting possible World Junior, Oceania level and Australian track and field athletes The selection into the squad is based purely on performances at a National Championships. It followed last year’s effort when, at the Australian Little Athletics Championships, he achieved a top eight position in both the shot put and javelin. Danny, who aspires to represent Australia one day, is recognised as a talented all-round athlete and has decided to focus on the combined events.
HANNAH DALTON
The year 9 Chisholm student only started playing basketball in 2017 and has already reached the top level for her age group. Last year she was named in the Future Development Program and also made the under 16 Logan Thunder girls team and made it into the top 30 under 16 players in the state for a place in the Sate Performance Program. Earlier this year Hannah was in the under Div 1 Logan Thunder outfit and again in the State Performance Program. She was also the college’s under 15 MVP and leading scorer and senior open MVP in previous season. “Hannah is an absolute pleasure to coach,’’ said Zac Dunfee, head coach at Chisholm.
“She is extremely talented in all facets of the game and as coach I am confident getting her the ball in any situation.
“She gives 100 per cent every practice and every game and always leaves it all out on the floor. She has an amazing work ethic to get better and reach her goals.’’
“Hannah is also very humble and therefore a great leader for our team.’’
Hannah comes from a family of basketball success.
Hannahs father Mark Dalton played in the NBL for 15 years and for the Brisbane bullets. He represented Australia for the Boomers in the Olympics.
Hannahs older brother Callum has already represented Australia as a junior and is currently under contract at the Brisbane bullets playing in the NBL.
WOODRIDGE STATE HIGH SCHOOL
ELIZA LOPAMAUA
There is no holding Eliza Lopamaua back, as she bounces from one sporting success to another. Last year she was named MVP when she represented the Metropolitan East Girls gugby league team at the State Championships, and earlier this year she made the Met East Rugby 7’s side.
TRACK AND FIELD
Woodridge has an outstanding team of track and field exponents. Here are some of the high achievers:
Casey Grant: 2019 State Championships Track & Field Team representative.
Isaac Pascal: Finished third in Cross Country National Championships
Bosco Lo’amanu: Made it all the way to the State Championships Track and Field Team
Harley Hall: A real endurance athlete who represented at the State Championships Cross Country
Jaylen English: Like Hall, a member of the 2019 State Championships Cross Country team
GEORGIA CURTIS
Curtis is a genuine all-round sport, having played state touch football, the representative swimming team, track and field and netball rep sides.
AHMED BAKARI ADAM, DAHIR IBRAHIM MOHAMED
Both ane thrilling soccer and football exponents, excelling in either of the round ball games. Ahmed made the Regional Boys Soccer Team earlier in the year while Dahir made both the Regional Boys Soccer and Futsal Teams.
MICHAEL HEYNATS
Michael Heynats continued to achieve in sport, making the 2019 Regional Championships Track & Field and swimming teams.
TRINITY COLLEGE
TESS HANNIGAN
The Year 8 national hurdles athlete was a state track and field and cross country age champion and a Pacific District and South Coast representative for the past two years. She is also a Trinity College Award recipient in multiple sports.
EMILY OLDERS
Olders rose earlier in the year to finish second in the 800m and 1500m events at the state titles. That performance was a culmination of steady progress over the last three years. In 2017 she was a Pacific District champion for athletics and cross country and state representative, and in 2018 the Pacific District age champion for cross country and athletics as well as they Trinity College junior sportswoman award winner. Then last year she competed in 800m, qualifying for the Australian championships and finished sixth. The district age champion for athletics, Olders went to regionals and beat the national champion in a time of 2.22 minutes and progressed to the state All Schools to compete in the 1500m and 800m. She was the Trinity College sports awards night silver medallist in 2019.
BRETT BALLAMY
The basketballer has been a regular in representative teams for the last four years, including playing in the Philippines in the largest youth tournament where NBA selectors attend. Ballamy also claimed the Megan Trinder Medal for outstanding achievement in Basketball
2019.
LYLAH SPRING
The young basketball state representative for four years and member of the National Training program hopes to secure a US college scholarship to play and study in the US in 2021. She is also a Queensland volleyball representative who has been a regular in the Pacific District rep side. Last year she claimed the Trinity College Award gold medal for basketball and was the MVP of the girls open side.
LUKE HERBST
Herbst played in the Brisbane Junior Open Tournament last year, winning the 17 Years Age Championship and has twice represented Gold Coast twice at the Australian Teams carnival Herbst, who aspires to be a professional coach, received the James Rapkins Award for Tennis at the 2019 college awards.
WINDAROO VALLEY STATE HIGH SCHOOL
MACKENZIE PEEBLES
Pebbles represented the Queensland team at the under 17 Softball School Girls National Championships in 2019 and was also selected by Queensland Softball to be part of a touring team bound for Kochi City, Japan, for specialised coaching from elite softball coaches and players. Peebles plays regular club fixtures at Brisbane Softball Association for Panthers Softball Club and represents the Brisbane under 18 and Open Women’s teams in the State Championships. Peebles growing reputation also saw her selected in the Softball Aussie Diamonds Futures touring team which was to compete in the Canada Cup in Vancouver.
ASHLEY ANDERSON and NATHAN CADMAN
The multi-talented Anderson has been a regular at the Schoolboys State Baseball Championships where his side earlier in the year claimed a third successive title, while also excelling in javelin on the athletics field. Such is Anderson’s standing in baseball, he was named as shadow for the Queensland Bandits team. He has also been invited to participate in Baseball Queensland State Performance Squad. Cadman is a state baseball and softball representative who was selected to travel with the Queensland Dolphins tour to China.
TYSON MORRIS
Coached by Murray Watkuins at Fast Track Athletics, Morris represented South Coast District at the 2019 Queensland School Athletics Championships in Cairns in the 400m, finishing fourth in the final. Then at the Queensland Athletics Championships in early March he snared a silver medal in the 200m final and a bronze in the 400m final. Those performances were national qualifying times in both. Morris has subsequently been named in the Queensland Athletics Target Talent Program.
RICHAYLLAN WIHONE-MACKAY
Wihone-Mackey is a young track and field athlete on the rise who, at last year’s Queensland Little Athletics State Titles, she was first in discus, shotput and javelin. Then, at the School Sport 10-12 year State Championships Track and Field titles, she was third in discus and sixth in shot put, and progressed to fourth in discus at the All Schools’ national titles. She is also the Queensland Little Athletics under 13 discus state relay champion. Windaroo also had a host of other outstanding athletes, including:
+ Jaykob Kramer who rose to the occasion to claim a shot put medal at the Track and Field State Championships;
+ Mackenzie Carter who was an eye-catching performer at last year’s track and field national championships when she claimed a bronze medal;
+ Eva Gilmer, a state representative for track and field and also the cross country team
+ Naomi Pitkin was a state representative for track and field and also a 2019 Regional Cross Country Team selection.
+ Chloe Gaunt won gold in triple jump at the Track and Field Club State Championships (Club) in 2018 but, after injury in 2019, will switch her sporting pursuits to Australian football.
MORE TOP SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
SOUTHEAST BRISBANE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
LOGAN’S TOP SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
BEST OF THE WEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
NORTH BRISBANE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
REDCLIFFE’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
MORETON’S BEST SCHOOL SPORTS STARS
Byron Best aspires to be a Warner Bros hit – in sport
He has the name of a Hollywood star and aspires to be seen on a Warner Bros production, but instead of movies this Brisbane teenager hopes it will be as an extreme sport ace.
Gold Coast club to make QLD Hockey history
Labrador Hockey is poised to become the first Gold Coast club with a women’s team competing in Queensland’s premier competition, the Brisbane Hockey League. Details inside: