FUTURE STARS: We look at 40 of Coffs Harbour’s brightest young sporting talents in the region
With a wealth of sporting talent across the Coffs Coast, the next generation of superstar athletes are based right here and coming through the ranks before our very eyes. SEE THE FULL LIST HERE.
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WE’VE long known Coffs Harbour to be one of the sporting capitals of the northern NSW coast.
With plenty of superstars graduating from the area, it has been a nursery for the next generation.
Now we look at 40 young men and women who are doing good things now and are set to make their presence felt in the future.
KDEN CARTER (RUGBY UNION)
A very talented young player who plays with the Snappers.
This year saw him represent both NSW and NSW Country.
Was also part of the Northern Region side that competed at the NYC Touch Football.
LIAM DAYMOND (RUGBY UNION)
A MNC premiership winner with the Snappers, Liam is part of a strong rugby family.
His big accolade came with a deserved representation for NSW Country.
IMOGEN DAYMOND (RUGBY UNION)
Another Daymond to claim a title with the Snappers, Imogen stepped up to the mark with a spot in the Mid North Coast representative side.
Also a handy basketballer as a junior.
JED FREUDENSTEIN (BOXING)
A NSW State Championship winner this year, Jed looks set to go as far as he wants in the sport of boxing.
He’s a really dedicated trainer, and helps out with the junior boys in looking to coach. Knows how to execute a plan.
CASEY COWGILL (OZTAG/LEAGUE)
A promising star of the future in two codes of OzTag and league.
Casey is part of the Canterbury Tarsha Gale Cup squad and has attended the NSW Sky Blues camp as well.
In OzTag she has played at the state and national level as well as representing in City vs Country fixtures.
EMMA WILLIAMS (OZTAG/LEAGUE)
On the cusp of big things in two codes as well after being selected to train with Canterbury in the development squad.
Emma has played OzTag at a high level in both junior and senior grades, also representing in the City vs Country fixtures.
AMELIA MOORE (SWIMMING)
A recent national representative at the Virtus Oceania Asia Games, the young woman was on fire in the pool.
She returned with a swag of seven medals from the event, including three gold and four silver.
ISLA MARTIN (SWIMMING)
The Coffs local looks to have a promising future in the pool.
A NSW Country gold medal winner in 100m backstroke this year, she backed it up with bronze at the NSW State Age Championships.
MILLIE EDWARDS-BRADSHAW (SWIMMING)
A multiple gold winner at the NSW Country Championships, Millie has replicated that at higher levels with silver at State Age previously.
Has competed at multiple disciplines against some of the states best.
HAYLEY and JADE KITCHING (ATHLETICS)
This brother and sister duo are among the most exciting athletics prospects in the state.
Coming from an elite bloodline, the pair have excelled in distance forms of running, with Hayley representing Australia earlier this year.
Jade has claimed multiple state titles on the track, and an Australian title at cross country.
ROBERT KISOSE (ATHLETICS)
A double threat over the sprint journey and the long jump.
Robert has won multiple state medals and is a NSW champion in long jump. With plenty of schooling ahead, he’s destined for more success in the near future.
KATIE BYRNE (ATHLETICS)
Adding medals to her name on the sprinting circuit at a young age, Byrne has been lighting up the track this year.
Multiple podium finishes over her pet distance of 100m are a sign of things to come in the future.
LARA MCMILLAN (CRICKET)
A multi-sport star who has represented the region in cricket, softball, touch football and netball.
Perhaps the pick of the bunch is cricket, where she has represented Opens while she was in Year 7.
LACHLAN MIFSUD (RUGBY LEAGUE)
The forward has built an impressive resume for a 17-year old.
The Coffs Comets rookie of the year played in the Laurie Daley Cup grand final, captained the Malta U17s and is signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs for the next two years.
PATRICK CAREY (RUGBY LEAGUE) - 16
Another Comets player who shone for the Bulldogs in the Andrew Johns Cup, earning best forward honours.
Has been offered a development trial opportunity with the Roosters, an exciting chance for the hooker.
BREAH, HAYLEY and LEVI FISCHER (HOCKEY)
This trio of hockey stars have certainly made their parents proud.
All three have been heavily involved in the rep scene throughout their junior years, with the talented family all wearing the sky blue of NSW.
There’s no telling how far they can go.
LILY, CHARLIE and RUBY PADE (TENNIS)
The talented Coffs sporting families continue with tennis aces Lily, Charlie and Ruby Pade.
Strong performers at state events, with Lily and Charlie representing Australia and Ruby often participating way above her age in open company.
ZANE MISIOS (RUGBY UNION)
The union star’s talent was recognised with inclusion in the NSW Gen Blues U18s side during his schooling.
The Number 8 is coming off a strong year with Bond in Queensland.
OSCAR CHURCHWELL (RUGBY UNION)
Another coming through the Marlins system, Churchwell has represented NSW Country and impressed in doing so.
A stint in the NT has backed up a promising career to date.
JACK SHEEHAN (ATHLETICS)
The 18-year-old has shown an ability over the 100m, 200m and hurdles throughout his young career to date.
Has won multiple state and national medals, including gold over hurdles last year.
OLISSA ONLEY (ATHLETICS)
The 18-year-old took home multiple gold medals at the states during her high school journey over the longer distances.
Has competed nationally and is versatile over the 1500m and 3000m trips.
DYLAN LOADER (RUGBY UNION)
The rampaging world has the rugby world at his feet.
A Queensland rep at the nationals, the Bond University player earned a call up into the Junior Wallabies squad for his efforts.
MAGGIE MCCONNACHIE (RUGBY UNION)
A recipient of the Edstart Rugby Scholarship, McConnachie has been a rising star in a relatively short amount of time with the Marlins.
Maggie has since got the call up to join the Brumbies Super W training squad.
ISLA and KIRA JUFFERMANS (BASKETBALL)
A Coffs sporting family with plenty of height and ability.
Isla is one of the best young prospects Coffs basketball has seen, making Australia and NSW, as well as being nominated for a NSW Sports Young Athlete of the Year award.
Kira is an up and comer with NSW representation under her belt and was part of an Australian camp as well.
TULLY JARVIS and JOSHUA BOYLE (BASKETBALL)
Supremely talented youngsters with abilities that have been recognised in the NSW Talented Athlete Program and the D-League.
The Suns pair are in the right systems to reach their full potential.
STEPH and PATRICK ROSE (CRICKET)
The Rose family has produced Steph (16), who has been in the North Coast reps systems and has played well with the Colts, mixing it with the boys.
Patrick (15) is an all-rounder in the NSW Northern Academy and has been a regular rep player throughout his time.
GEORGIE MARTIN (CRICKET)
The classy all-rounder played North Coast Zone and was in the system for a while.
Over the last couple of seasons played in the Sydney competition, winning the title and playing with some of the best in Australia.
SOLOMON WALKER (CRICKET)
Made the Zone U18s side for the upcoming Country Championships in southern NSW, such is his ability.
A top-order bat who can make opposition pay on his day.
JAMES LOBB (CRICKET)
Part of the North Coast team competing in the U16s Bradman Cup, recently notching a half century.
Bowls left-arm spin and is building as the complete package as a cricketer.
RILEY WOOD (CRICKET)
Named as a shadow player for NSW PSSA after a strong showing for Polding, and only getting better with more games under his belt.
Still only young but the medium-pacer is playing up in U16s and third grade with the Colts.
HUDSON and TITAN BARRY (TRIATHLON)
The star triathlete brothers are taking the northern region by storm.
Hudson (17) recently competed at the worlds where he came eighth, following on from a third in the U19s nationals.
Titan has wins at Trial Bay and Yempta to his name and the 15-year-old is destined for further.
Both have shown a determination and perseverance to make it big in one of the most challenging sports there is.
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