QISSN Carnival report cards: Every North Queensland school graded
It was Canterbury and St James who owned the headlines following a huge week of netball in Townsville, but 11 schools from our region stood tall. Find out how their coaches graded them.
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The dust has finally settled on a monumental week of school netball in Townsville.
Canterbury College and St James College made Queensland independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) history after taking home division 1 honours for a third consecutive year.
The QISSN tournament, held alongside the rugby league Confraternity Carnival, attracted 64 girls teams and 11 boys teams from across the state for five days of intense competition.
There were 11 teams from the Townsville region spread throughout the divisions including, for the first time ever, a boys’ teams from north of Proserpine in the form of div 2 champs Ryan Catholic College.
Read more about how the schools from Townsville, Ingham, Charters Towers and Mount Isa fared in their Confraternity Carnival report cards.
RYAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE (BOYS) – A+
2024 finish: Champions of boys’ division 2
Ryan Catholic College took out the boys’ division 2 title with a stunning 14-8 grand final triumph over St Thomas More College in the school’s first-ever appearance at the carnival.
Marley Solomona was named in the Boys All Star Team as well as claiming Ryan’s boys MVP.
Ryan’s boys’ coach Jorja James said she couldn’t have been happier with how the team adapted to the sport.
“We had a nice spread of losses and wins which landed us in seventh or eighth on the ladder before finals. We played St Thomas More in the final and we won that which was great,” James said.
“The group of boys that we picked came from a lot of different sporting backgrounds, so from the start it was mostly about teaching them the rules and techniques for netball but they were great.”
Shooting: A-
“Our shooters had to adjust to the different style of netball shooting,” James said.
“Both of the shooters came from a basketball background, so getting used to moving around the circle and not just relying on the high balls.
“They adjusted very well to a different type of play in the circle.”
Midcourt: A+
“One of our main centres, Marley Solomona, got picked for the All Stars team at the end of the carnival and he was also our MVP,” James said.
“He was just a very solid player to have throughout the whole court. He was someone that everyone in attack, midcourt and defence looked to to help them out and guide them around on court.
“He had the support of other wing attacks there, who did their job very well in bringing the ball down the court to our shooters.”
Defence: A+
“Our defence was amazing, getting lots of turnovers. They were really good at picking up the different ways to defend without contacting, and working the ball out of defence and down to our attackers,” James said.
“Everyone worked very well collectively as a team by the end of the carnival, it maybe just took a little bit of time to get it all together from the start of the week.”
Top of class: Marley Solomona and Jack Olsen
“Marley has had a lot of experience in that he comes from a basketball background but he’s also got a couple of sisters that have been playing netball,” James said.
“So I think he was just the most knowledgeable of the sport in terms of tactics and what needed to happen so that everyone could put in their best performance.
“Even though Marley is just in year 11 he was able to support our captain Jack Olsen, who was a calm head on court and really rallied the boys. Those two worked together to talk to the boys and provide advice and talk team strategies.
“They were both very reliable. When you’re sitting on the sideline as coach you can’t really do much except yell out, but having those two on court to really settle it and chat to everyone was really helpful.”
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC COLLEGE – A+
2024 finish: 7th in division 5
Mount Isa’s sole participants had a fantastic QISSN carnival and coach Bec Stretton sent her squad back home with flying colours.
Fast and aggressive play earnt Good Shepherd a number of terrific wins including a victory on Friday to finish on a win.
“They really worked well together and given that we are looking at a pretty big team turnover for next year, I feel like they really made the most of their time together this year,” Stretton said.
“They proved that Mount Isa really does have abilities that can keep up with the other major centres, so that was really great.
“Because our girls are used to playing against ladies in our local comp in Mount Isa, it’s a real adjustment to playing against high school-aged opponents. They really transitioned into that seamlessly at the beginning of the week.”
Shooting: A
“In our attack we saw an increase in consistency throughout the carnival and a really good show of agility this year which was awesome,” Stretton said.
Midcourt: A+
While Good Shepherd’s fast-flowing attack ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over, it was the middle third where they won their matches.
“We had quite an aggressive midcourt when we were winning games and I think that made the difference,” Stretton said.
“They were led by our MVP Ali Haddon, who was also our captain for the carnival. Big props to her for gaining MVP for the week.”
Defence: A
“We had a really strong defensive team this year,” Stretton said.
“They worked together really cohesively, especially given we had a new player in defence.
Top of class: Ali Haddon
“This year she has really developed in terms of balancing that speed and strength,” Stretton said.
“She’s become quite formidable in terms of intercepts and really offensive play in the midcourt, which was awesome.”
RYAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE – B
2024 finish: 6th in division 6
Ryan dropped off after a blistering start to the carnival, falling into the lower half of division 6 to finish in sixth place.
But the school’s coach Jenna Green said her largely younger squad would take plenty of lessons from the experience to take into next year, with only four senior players graduating in 2024.
“We played really well. We came out on the first day with three wins, so I was very impressed with the girls and how they played, considering we didn’t really play many games together throughout the season,” Green said.
Shooting: B+
Ryan’s shooting was led by Saints’ Premier League ‘big’ Makenzie Wakelin, who commands respect in the circle with her physical presence and deadly accuracy.
“Shooting-wise you can’t go past Makenzie Wakelin, she is an absolute gun in that shooting circle as our dominant shooter,” Green said.
“She was our MVP, voted by all the other teams as well as us.”
Midcourt: B-
The school’s skipper Molly Tyrell steered the team around the court from centre and was the level head needed when things got tough.
“We’ll be losing our year 12, Molly Tyrell, next year, but she is just so steady and consistent,” Green said.
“No matter what you tell her, she’ll always go out there and give it her best go.”
Defence: B
Defence was at the fore during Ryan’s fast start to the carnival but the squad couldn’t maintain the high intensity needed to win more games.
“Our whole-team defensive effort is what won us those first four games,” Green said.
“Their willingness to be nice and tight and give everything a go – that relentless defence is what I kept calling for throughout the week.”
Top of class: Makenzie Wakelin and Molly Tyrell
The experienced Premier League pair understandably led by example and were recognised for their consistent contributions throughout the week.
“They’ve played a lot of QISSN carnivals, I think they’ve both played three. They were both great,” Green said.
SOUTHERN CROSS CATHOLIC COLLEGE – B+
2024 finish: 3rd in division 7
A heartbreaking semi-final loss put Southern Cross out of contention for the division 7 title but coach Amy Butterworth was ecstatic with her team’s success.
“We definitely went better than we expected to, and we had a very young team this year – over 50 per cent of our team is year 10 and younger,” Butterworth said.
“What impressed me the most was that even though we played teams that were a bit tougher, the girls came out on fire and stepped up to play next-level netball that honestly surprised me.
“We were beating teams a lot more than I thought we would, they did really well.”
Shooting: B
“Our shooting end was very young this year, but again they all stepped up and they weren’t just shooting from underneath the post – they were shooting from all around the circle,” Butterworth said.
Midcourt: A
The Southern Cross attack and defence was solid and consistent throughout the week but the midcourt really stepped up and took control in games with their determined defence and crisp service on the feed.
“Our centre-court was next level with bringing the ball down,” Butterworth said.
“Their passes were just clinical, just so good.”
Defence: B+
“Our defence was also great, we had one girl Charlotte Clive who was just hunting,” Butterworth said.
“She just desperately wanted to get that intercept and often would, but still wouldn’t lose her own player at the same time.
“While she was hunting she still knew exactly where her player was and she wouldn’t go unless she knew she was going to get the ball.
“As a collective, what made us win those games was that our defence wasn’t just from the defence end. Every single girl had their hands up to give the other team hell and I think that’s what won us some games.”
Top of class: Sara Keyes, Ruby Lang and Charlotte Clive
“Sara was the backbone of the shooting end, she was the eldest out of all of them and she stepped up and was great,” Butterworth said.
“In the centre-court, I would probably say Ruby Lang. She’s the youngest one in the team and just did so well.
“Then Charlotte in our defensive end was outstanding.”
CALVARY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE – B+
2024 finish: 5th in division 7
Calvary Christian College enjoyed an up and down QISSN campaign, ultimately finishing with a win to claim fifth place in division 7.
Coach Kym Patteson said the most pleasing aspect was the development from game to game.
“They did really good. The improvement that I saw over the campaign was extraordinary, to see them stepping up and improving each day was really cool,” Patteson said.
“There’s still plenty of room for improvement. We ended up playing off for fifth and we won the final which was exciting.”
Shooting: A-
Calvary’s shooting was spearheaded by the team’s youngest member, year 9 student Riley Patteson, who played at GA.
“Our shooters were phenomenal. They were quite accurate and did some really good shooter-to-shooter passes,” Patteson said.
“So they were nice, quick and dynamic shooters.”
Midcourt: B
“Our midcourt was good, there was definite improvement there over the week which was good to see,” Patteson said.
Defence: A
“Our defensive end was spectacular with Mariam Hall and Ruby Houlihan back at keeper, they just smashed it and got lots of turnovers,” Patteson said.
Top of class: Mariam Hall and Riley Patteson
Calvary’s GD and GA excelled at either end of the court in their own ways.
“Mariam was our MVP at goal defender and Riley was our main shooter at goal attack and she was our second MVP,” Patteson said.
“They were our most consistent all week. They will both definitely be back next year.”
ST ANTHONY’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE – B
2024 finish: Runners-up in division 8
After a shocking start to the week with a winless day 1, St Anthony’s Catholic College showed some incredible resilience to turn its fortunes around and make the division 7 grand final.
St Anthony’s coach Nikola Van Arendonk said she was proud of her team’s ability to rebound so strongly after a disappointing Monday.
“We did really well, the girls finished runners-up in their division which was a huge achievement,” Van Arendonk said.
“The first day we actually lost every game and then they came out hard with a win and a tie before four wins on Wednesday to put them up to third before finals.
“It was a great week, the girls worked really hard and played really strong. There were eight new girls this year on the team so they did a great job all things considered.
“There was certainly still room for improvement but they’ve worked really hard and they came through at QISSN.”
Shooting: C+
St Anthony’s young duo in the circle largely held their own against more experienced defenders, but Van Arendonk said they would take plenty of lessons from the carnival.
“Our shooting probably needed a little bit of work, but that being said the girls Bella (Miller) and Dalys (Coleman) are only new in those positions and quite young, so they did a really good job,” Van Arendonk said.
Midcourt: A
The midcourt was the strongest third for the Townsville school this year headlined by their dynamic captain Dakota Johnson.
“Our captain for the team Dakota, we didn’t have a backup centre so she was on the court nearly every game, all game, and she worked really hard” Van Arendonk said.
Defence: B
Brave circle defender Shelby Dunne refused to sit idly by with the rare opportunity to play a QISSN carnival on home soil.
“We had one girl injured, Shelby Dunne, and she still pulled through for the team and worked so hard through her injury – safely of course – but she didn’t want to give up and she was awesome,” Van Arendonk.
Top of class: Dakota Johnson and Bella Miller
“Dakota is in year 12 and focusing on her studies so she’s taking a break from out-of-school sport but she has been in Prems and other competitions in the past,” Van Arendonk said.
“Bella was our young shooter, she worked really hard and we relied on her a lot. She probably played as much as Dakota, she hardly had any time off as we played without a backup that was as strong as her.
“Most of the girls will be back last year, and I hope they all want to play again because they all did a great job.”
ALL SOULS ST GABRIELS SCHOOL – A-
2024 finish: 5th in division 8
All Souls St Gabriels were one of three Charters Towers schools at QISSN 2024 and coach Karen Storey was very impressed with how her team stepped up to the challenge.
“We had some close games that didn’t go our way but the players were consistent, they played well and they kept their heads up all week,” Storey said.
“We disappointingly lost our semi-final and it was fairly close, but they bounced back and we had good games after that.”
Shooting: A
When they got their opportunities, the Souls shooters were deadly inside the circle.
“Our shooters were all very accurate, all three of them all week,” Storey said.
Midcourt: B+
“It’s a bit cliche, but they were a great link between the two ends,” Storey said.
“They brought some good speed when we needed it and some good patience when we needed that as well.”
Defence: B+
“Our circle defenders turned over a lot of ball and won ball really strongly both when it was coming into the circle and also on rebounding as well,” Storey said.
Top of class: Kyannah Stafford and Yasmin Musk
“Kyannah was our goal shooter for the majority of the week. She moved well, held well and was very accurate,” Storey said.
“Then at the other end Yasmin Musk, who is our goal keeper, she probably led the turnovers and the rebounds for the week.”
GILROY SANTA MARIA COLLEGE – B
2024 finish: 3rd in division 8
Gilroy Santa Maria had lots of new players in the QISSN squad this year with only four of the nine girls returning from last year.
Coach Roslyn Giuliano said she was proud of the team’s resilience during the week with some tough matches.
“They played well in the lead up to finals and played the game of the week for them on Thursday morning against All Souls St Gabriels, coming back from an eight-point deficit at halftime to win by five in extra time,” Giuliano said.
“Unfortunately they couldn’t replicate that game in the semi and went down to St Joseph’s, but came back with a win against St Catherine’s in the grand final placing them thirrd.”
Shooting: B
“We had a new shooting combination this year with Loren (Jensen), Nyah (Fichera) and Grace (Thomson), who all played well together,” Giuliano said.
“Accuracy percentage wasn’t high but the shots where on when it counted.”
Midcourt: A
“Great midcourt players with Jess (Furber) leading the way in both attack and defence at centre,” Giuliano said.
“Jada (Fichera) injured her ankle in the very first game of the week but was a champion and kept going and was brilliant at WA.”
Defence: B+
“Our defence had a tough time being a player down which didn’t allow for a lot of rotation,” Giuliano said.
“That meant the girls – Ciera (Fichera), Louise (Kaurila) and Akayla (Weston) – had a lot of game time and not much rest.
“They performed off the charts in the finals game. Captain Ashley (Smallwoods) – our only year 12 player – was unwell for the entire week, struck with tonsillitis, but was able to play in the last few minutes of her very last game at a QISSN carnival.”
Top of class: Jess Furber, Jada Fichera and Ciera Fichera
Player of the carnival for us was Jess Furber who didn’t stop, her attack and defence was outstanding,” Giuliano said.
“Her encouragement both on and off the court was exceptional. One of the youngest players on the team, she performed well above her age.
“Jada Fichera and Ciera Fichera where also players of a high standard with Jada getting every centre pass and feeding the circle with accuracy and Ciera’s defence stopping centre passes and intercepts down the court.”
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Originally published as QISSN Carnival report cards: Every North Queensland school graded
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