Moreton’s future superstars dazzle

MAKE a note of these names — they are superstars of the future and destined for greatness in sport, academic and community pursuits.

BMX World Champion Tom Tucker.

MAKE a note of these names — they are superstars of the future and destined for greatness in sport, academic and community pursuits. They share their dreams and successes with Kylie Knight.

Footballer Jorja Thomson.

JORJA THOMPSON

Jorja Thompson is a future Matilda in the making but it seems she is comfortable juggling more than a soccer ball.

The 14-year-old from Burpengary is part of the under-17 Junior Matildas squad, which is competing in Kyrgyzstan until September 23. And while the young forward can clearly mix it with the best in the world she’s also more than holding her own at Burpengary State Secondary College — earning top marks and the Caltex All Rounder Award last year.

But Jorja’s first love is football and she’s been kicking one around since she was six years old. “I just love learning new skills and being able to develop as a footballer and get better and better,” she says. “I want to make a W League side and represent them with a contract and obviously make the open Matildas and go to a World Cup and the Olympics.”

In the meantime, she’s thrilled to be wearing a green and gold jersey as a Junior Matilda. “I’m over the moon. It’s what I’ve wanted all my life and I’m finally going to get to experience it,” she says.

Woodchopper Archie Head.

ARCHIE HEAD

He’s wowed audiences on national television and at the EKKA but what Archie Head loves most about woodchopping is “dad teaching me”. Archie, 6, from Burpengary East is a fifth-generation woodchopper expertly coached by his dad, Jim, and mum, Katrina.

The youngster recently appeared on Channel 7’s Little Big Shots program hosted by Shane Jacobson.

Mum Katrina says Archie “lives, breathes, eats, sleeps woodchopping”.

“I think he’s really good for his age,” she says. Dad Jim agrees, saying he’s quite technical for a six-year-old.

“He doesn’t seem to get nervous at any of the woodchop events and doesn’t mind competing against the bigger kids. He’s very competitive,” Jim says.

When he’s not practising in the backyard, he’s watching it on the iPad, and so is younger brother Darcy, 3. Katrina says she’s not nervous watching Archie wield the axe because it’s always been part of their lives and her children have been taught to do it safely.

Redcliffe PCYC volunteer Marnie Bartleet.

MARNIE BARTLEET

Learning more about other people and herself drives Marnie Bartleet to help out in our community.

The 17-year-old is a volunteer on Redcliffe PCYC’s Youth Management Committee, is the president of the Interact Club at Grace Lutheran College and has achieved gold level in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program.

“Our community alone has so many different people with so many different skills that everyone is able to offer me something just as much as I’m able to offer them something,” Marnie says.

She has been involved with PCYC since Year 8, helping raise money and volunteering at Blue Light Disco events.

Marnie says she joined the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program soon after and completed the Kokoda Track as part of the gold level last year. “I know what I’m capable of now and I know as long as I put my mind to it and I give it a try I can succeed with the help of others,” she says.

BMX World Champion Tom Tucker.

TOM TUCKER

Tom Tucker is a seven-time world BMX champion who has his sights firmly set on riding at an Olympic Games.

The 13-year-old, who practises almost every day at Pine Rivers BMX Club’s base at England Park, Brendale, has won the world championship every year since he was eight — once in two categories. “I’m proud. Not many people have achieved that ever,” he says. “I just love being on the track, trying new things and hanging out with friends … and the adrenaline rush I love. On the gate you’re just thinking about trying to be first at the finish line.”

His efforts were recognised in July when he won the Sam Willoughby Medal, named after the two-time world BMX champion and Olympic silver medallist who was left a tetraplegic after a training crash in 2016.

“I’d like to go to the Olympics one day and hopefully bring home a medal.”