Girl power: SEQ’s top female junior sports of 2021

Who were some of the SEQ’s top junior girl sporting achievers of 2021? We present 60 of the best that we saw in action this year.

Girl power thrives across Queensland’s sporting ranks, with the next generation of stars starting to poke to the surface.

Here we highlight some of our best junior and youth talent (age under 20 years) based on performances across 16 sports through SEQ in 2021.

CRICKET

GEORGIA VOLL and COURTNEY SIPPEL

A schoolgirl prodigy, batter Voll is starting to come into her own after being blooded by both Heat and Queensland Fire selectors last season. She has been given the responsibility of batting No.3 in the WBBL campaign.

Georgia Voll of the Heat. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

New ball bowler Sippel continues a proud, proud tradition of South Burnett cricketing talent who have excelled in cricket for Queensland.

Carl Rackemann, Matthew Hayden, Martin Love, Nathan Hauritz - and now Courtney Sippel (WBBL Heat) is making a name for herself.

There are other elite Queensland cricket rookies around as well including Tewantin Noosa junior Lilly Mills (Perth Scorchers) and 18-year-old Ipswich top order batter Ellie Johnston who this season signed her first WBBL deal (Heat) after making her Women’s National Cricket league debut last year for the Queensland Fire.

Courtney Sippel of the Heat celebrates a wicket (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

And while BGGS alumni and Western Suburbs junior Josie Dooley (Adelaide) is over he age limit for nomination on this list, it is still great to see her progressing in the WBBL.

Jaydah Tofae, Malaela Su’a Tahliya Tavita, Shaylee Joseph, Kaylani Tavita, Athena Vili are representatives at Mabel Park SHS. Picture, John Gass

RUGBY UNION

MALAELA SU’A and ATHENA VILI

The girls have emerged from a crack pack of Mabel Park SHS schoolgirl juniors to be named in the extended Queensland Reds women’s training squad.

Both backs, they impressed helping the Easts Tigers to win the women’s premiership.

Su’a also starred in rugby league earlier this year where she was named the outstanding player for the state schoolgirls carnival in the 16-18 years age group. She won the same award in the 14-15 years age group in 2019.

Su’a has a big motor. A centre of No.13, last year she played as a middle forward in Mabel Park SHS’s year 9-10 Titans Cup side, then backed up to play the full game in the year 11-12 - scoring her team’s only try.

Keebra Girl's Rugby League player Skyla Adams. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

SKYLA ADAMS

A brilliant ball-playing, swift running playmaker from Keebra Park SHS who shines in both rugby league and rugby union.

Her game went up a gear when she helped Bond University into the senior women’s rugby semi-finals.

Queensland’s Bianca Rayward.Photo: Cody Fox

COOLANGATTA GOLD

ELECTRA OUTRAM

The Noosa SLSC iron willed athlete and Sunshine Beach State High School alumni stormed to victory in the short course event on Sunday, with second place to Dominique Stitt (second, Maroochydore).

BIANCA RAYWARD

The Gold Coast schoolgirl claimed the Coolangatta Gold Youth Challenge for her swim, board, run effort. An under 14 athlete from North Burleigh, Rayward is an elite multi sports woman who excels in swimming, rugby league, cross country, triathlon and athletics. On Sunday she defeated her sister Jasmine Rayward (second, North Burleigh) and Elsie Shrapnel (third, Dicky Beach).

Destiny Brill and April Ngatupuna are big signings for the Titans.

RUGBY LEAGUE

DESTINY BRILL

The Marsden SHS alumni is the best youth league and union female player in the game who plays for both the Queensland Reds Super W side and the Queensland State of Origin team. A Gold Coast Titans NRLW signing, Brill, 18, had the honour of scoring the winning try for the Origin women against NSW earlier this year. Also keep a close eye on the progress of another Marsden SHS alumni, middle forward April Ngatupuna, who has also been signed by the Titans after helping the Easts Tigers women to the premiership.

JAIDA FALEONO

Here is a bit of a wildcard from Keebra Park SHS. Last week we sang the praises of both Skyla Adams and Chantray Ratu (see top 50 grand final performers story here), and earlier gave the Keebra Park sisters Ebony and Sky Raftstrand-Smith, a halfback and fullback combination, enormous praise. But mobile middle forward Faleono finished with player of the match honours ahead of that awesome foursome when Keebra Park SHS won the Titans Cup earlier in the year.

Jaydah Tofae, Malaela Su’â, Shaylee Joseph, Kaylani Tavita, Athena Vili and Tahliya Tavita are representatives at Mabel Park SHS. Thursday October 21, 2012. Picture, John Gass

SHAYLEE JOSEPH

Joseph is following in the footsteps of her older sister Keilee who will be on the verge of her NRLW debut for the Sydney Roosters in 2022.

All Stars match between Maori and Indigenous at Queensland Bnak Country Stadium. Indigenous player Keilee Joseph. Picture: Evan Morgan

Middle forward Shaylee Joseph is part of an exciting crop of players out of Mabel Park SHS which includes Gold Coast Titans training squad rookies Malaela Su’a, Athena Vili, Jaydah Tofae, Kaylani and Tahliya Tavita, Danielle Tutakangahau and Delilah Eliu.

And success is sure to continue for Mabel Park SHS, with the school to launch its Girls Sporting Excellence Centre - a dedicated space to support female participation in sport

Scotie Walker (yellow shirt) challenges Jamilla Rankin (blue shirt) of Moreton Bay United Jets. Picture: Stephen Archer (Slapics)

FOOTBALL

JAMILLA RANKIN and MIA BAILEY

An 18-year-old defender originally from the Sunshine Coast, Rankin is an emerging Brisbane Roar star who was selected in the last two senior Matildas squads. She was also a Young Footballer of the Year nominee last season

Bailey, 17, is a goalkeeper originally from Cairns who has now signed her first A-League Women’s contract with Brisbane Roar.

TENEALLE FASALA warms up for UQ Barras earlier this month.

WATER POLO

TENEALLE FASALA and ABBY ANDREWS

The daughter of Olympic swimming gold medallist Greg Fasala (Mean Machine, 1984 Olympics), Tenealle is the best Queensland young talent not in the Olympic team. An Ipswich Girls Grammar School alumni, Fasala is part of an all-star UQ Barras squad who made it to an extended Olympic Games training squad last year.

She has been learning off tour-time Olympic Bronwen Knox playing in the Queensland Thunder side and the 19-year-old has made huge strides in 2021 and 2020 despite COVID-19 competition disruptions.

UQ Barras junior Abby Andrews had a huge 2021, making her Olympic Games debut.

The prolific goal scoring left hander was the baby of the squad and has returned bigger and better than ever for the experience.

St Rita’s College schoolgirl Amelia Watt and North Brisbane Cougars junior Charlize Andrews are another two boom teens on the rise, with Merlo Mermaid’s Molly Nasser is a dangerous left hander.

Maggie Harmer during a Brisbane Lions AFLW training session at Yeronga FC last month. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos)

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

MAGGIE HARMER

Yet another boom rookie from the Noosa region, Harmer had a huge 2021 which saw her picked up by the Brisbane Lions in July’s 2021 NAB AFLW Draft.

An 18-year-old defender, Harmer is a Noosa Tigers junior who now plays with the Maroochydore Roos in the QAFLW.

She was named in the Team of the Year and played for the Queensland under 19s where she took five marks in the defensive 50m and 15 disposals - plus five tackles.

Hats off also to Coolum Breakers junior Belle Dawes on a rousing 2021, also with the Maroochydore Roos in the QAFLW. .

Coolum junior and Brisbane Lions AFLW player Belle Dawes was a finals’ hero with Maroochydore thie season. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

DIVING

ALYSHA KOLOI

The Cavendish Road SHS alumni took her performances to another level in 2021 despite the disruptions to international competition caused by COVID-19.

From a gymnastics background, Koloi won a bronze medal at the world juniors and is on track to be the next in line on women’s 3m.

Koloi was a winner of the Sport Australia hall of fame scholarship last year

NETBALL

LOSA NIUMATA

The Marsden SHS student was rewarded for an outstanding season by being named Logan City Council young sportswoman of the year over the weekend. A North Brisbane Cougars star in the Sapphire Series, Niumata was originally a junior from the Redlands Netball Association product.

Georgie West on the move for Kedron-Wavell. Picture: Andrew Blanchard

HOCKEY

JADE SMITH and GEORGIE WEST

Moreton Bay College old girl Jade Smith is a former Australian schoolgirls captain who has been recognised as a future senior representative player.

St Aidan’s Anglican College student Georgie West (Kedron Wavell Wolves Hockey Club) is also in the Australian Futures Squad after a series of outstanding performances for Queensland at the Australian Under 18 Hockey Championships in Launceston.

Jade Smith of Easts . Photo by Fred Husted/Husted Images.

ROWING

SOPHIE MALCOLM

Queensland has half a dozen top notch, elite juniors, but few performances in 2021 can match that of Brisbane State High School student Sophie Malcolm.

Malcolm - who is also an outstanding cross country runner - claimed the single scull at the Australian Rowing Championship in Tasmania - her third time on the podium.

Representing Centenary Rowing Club, she then took out gold for the under 17 single scull and also silver in the under 21 lightweight single scull events.

Sophie Malcolm of Brisbane State High School and Centenary Rowing is a national rowing champion - under 19. Pic: Courtesy of Rowing Australia website.

But Rowing Queensland had other high achievers including the following who took part in a World Cup simulation event alongside the Australian Olympic rowing team:

Jaeve Proberts (Pine Rivers Rowing Club) - under 19 women’s pairs

Ella Smith (Pine Rivers Rowing Club) - under 19 women’s pairs

Sophia Wightman (University of Queensland Boat Club) - under 19 women’s single scull

Ellyn Hill (University of Queensland Boat Club) - under 19 women’s fours

Nancy Duncan-Banks (University of Queensland Boat Club) - under 19 women’s fours

Gold Coast’s Olivia Matzer is a crack sprinter.. Picture: Kevin Farmer

ATHLETICS

ELLIE BEER, LYVANTE SU’EMAI, OLIVIA MATZER and TORRIE LEWIS

Ellie Beer continued to cut an inspiring figure for juniors by making the Olympic Games track and field team.

The Gold Coast 400m star looked like a young woman living out a dream when she waved to the crowds during a recent welcome home parade for Olympians.

Ellie Beer poses with fans during the Australian 2020 Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Celebration at King George Square in October. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Beer has set a stunning example to fellow 2021 world junior championship merit team selections Lyvante Su’emai, Torrie Lewis and Olivia Matzer.

Matzer is a withering 200m talent, St Peters Lutheran schoolgirl Lewis is Queensland’s most exciting track athlete since Sally Pearson and Marsden SHS alumni Su’emai is an elite field athlete who’s throwing continues to put Australian athletics on notice.

Riley Day was delighted with her times in Tokyo Picture: Alex Coppel.

Su’emai grew up learning her trade at the Springwood Little Athletic Centre and is now coached by her father.

She is proud of her past school and her community and hertiage and making the merit Australian under 20 world junior side - the same team which put 2021 Logan City Council sportsman of the year Ashley Moloney on the map in 2018 - is a huge honour for Su’emai.

UQ Barras’ water polo junior Abby Andrews had a huge 2021. Picture, John Gass

Both sprinters Lewis and Matzer would also have watched in admiration as Day, 21, blazed her way into the Olympic Games 200m semi-finals (22.56 secs)

Marsden SHS alumni Lyvante Su'emai, a finalists in the Logan City Council sportys awards last weekend, is an Australian under 20 world junior championships merit selection team member. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

BASKETBALL

News Corp’s chef Queensland basketball writer Brayden Heslehurst said the sport had a number of all-star performers in 2021

Indiah Bowyer - Played a significant role on the Logan Thunder NBL1 North women’s championship

Gold Coast's Waves Lilly Rotunno in action Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Danielle Bayes - Played a significant role on the Logan Thunder NBL1 North women’s championship, signed with Boise State University to play college basketball next year

Ella Brow - Part of NBL1 North women’s runners-up with Southern Districts Spartans, signed with SMU to play college basketball in the US next year, selected in New Zealand Tall Ferns training squad at age 18

Lisa and Mary Barnett-Keresoma - Selected in New Zealand Tall Ferns training squad at age 18 and played on the Logan Thunder NBL1 North women’s championship side

Lilly Rotunno - Led the Gold Coast Waves to the Under-18 State Championship in January this year, played a significant role in the club’s NBL1 North women’s team, won CBSQ schools state title with Hillcrest Christian College

Gold Coast basketball’s Jess Petrie.

Jess Petrie - Led the Gold Coast Waves to the Under-18 State Championship in January this year, selected on a scholarship to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in Canberra

Summah Hanson - A Queensland state player who attended the Jr NBA Global Championship in 2019, was part of the Southern Districts Spartans NBL1 North squad

Mollie O'Callaghan back to school at St Peters Lutheran College Springfield after returning from the Olympics with two Gold and a bronze medal. PICTURE: Brad Fleet

SWIMMING

MOLLIE O’CALLAGHAN, LIZ DEKKERS AND ELLA RAMSAY

The teenage Mollie O’Callaghan stamped herself as an Australian swimmer of the future with a series of blazing - and in once case a record - effort in 200m and 100m relays at the Olympic Games.

Gun schoolgirl swimmer Ella Ramsay who could be competing at the 2032 Olympic Games. Saturday July 10, 2021. Picture, John Gass

As a result O’Callaghan finished with a 4x100m relay gold, a medley relay gold and a 4x200m relay bronze medal after her elite heat efforts.

She will be smashing the door down to making at least one of those starting teams at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

O’Callaghan could be joined on the team by St Peters Western team mate Ella Ramsay who earlier this month was named Ipswich City Council junior sportswoman of the year.

Ramsay has consistently been Australia’s No.1 All Ages swimmer over the last four years, although she is only in year 11 and has time on her side to make the Dolphins.

Australian team’s Mollie O'Callaghan. Pics Adam Head

And of course Dekkers will be back in business pushing for Australian Dolphins selection after narrowly missing the Olympic Games team.

The Newmarket Racers Club butterfly exponent produced multiple 200m fly Games’ times in 2021.

Meg Harris, Bronte Campbell and Emma McKeon of Australia celebrate as Cate Campbell touches the wall for the Australian team in the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay final gold medal (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

MEG HARRIS

The Mt St Michael’s College alumni burst onto the international stage with gold medals in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x200m freestyle relay.

Initially a product of Mackay’s Pioneer Swimming Club and the Eimo SLSC, the 19-year-old’s development was fine tuned by St Peters Western coach Dean Boxall.

Harris has now moved interstate to Adelaide, but she will also be a Queensland kid who, while we predicted was a wildcarrd Olympic medal chance, but who in the eyes of the Australian public is now the country’s new swimming super girl.

Coach David Proud's world junior team selections Mikayla Messer, James Bayliss and Tiana Kritzinger. Picture by Richard Gosling

SWIMMING

TIANA KRITZINGER

Nudgee Swimming Club pair Jessica Mouatt (World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships) and Tiana Kritzinger (Australia world championship merit team) were high achievers in 2021. The gutsy Kritzinger is a 800m and 1500m exponent who gained great experience at the Olympic trials in 2021.

100m and 200m sprinter Torrie Lewis of St Peters Lutheran College. (Image/Josh Woning)

SOFTBALL

SORAYA HANSEN, JESS ROHDE and AMAYA FOXOVER

These five are Queensland’s best under 20 softballers who would have represented Australia at the 2019 under 18 world championships if it was not for COVID-19.

Hansen is a member of the all-conquering Redlands squad while Ipswich product Jess Rohde is a catcher and outfielder and Foxover a third base specialist.

The Redlands girls were champions - again.

Our list concentrates on SEQ talent, but two North Queensland girls, Hirari Kurihara and Stephanie Lowe, were also in the Australian under 18 championship squad. Kurihara was a pick-up player for Ipswich at the recent state titles which were livestreamed by News Corp.

Softball Queensland has a host of younger players like Tallulah Civoniceva pouring through the ranks, but Hansen, Rodhe, Foxover, Lowe and Kurihara are the best under 20 players in the state.

Originally published as Girl power: SEQ’s top female junior sports of 2021