Cairns SHS crowned champions of the Bill Turner Cup
Cairns State High has become a powerhouse in football with the girls side taking out the Bill Turner Trophy. See the players that excelled.
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But with the game on the line, Chancellor goalkeeper Alexa Holroyd made two high-pressure saves to keep the game alive while her teammates netted their shots.
But with the game on the line, Chancellor goalkeeper Alexa Holroyd made two high-pressure saves to keep the game alive while her teammates netted their shots.
Holroyd stepped up to take Chancellors’ fifth penalty but this time Cairns shotstopper Ella Buie was up to the challenge, turning away the ball to ignite passionate onfield celebrations as the Cairns players erupted.
Locked at nil-all throughout the match, goalkeepers Buie (Cairns) and Holroyd (Chancellor) constantly outdid each other with highlights reel saves to keep the deadlock intact.
The longer the game went on, the less ambitious the players became as the threat of conceding outweighed attacking intent and it became clear the game was destined for a thrilling finish.
CAIRNS SHS: 0 (3)
CHANCELLOR: 0 (2)
Cairns SHS Girls’ Bill Turner Trophy Team
Name: Yui Akiyoshi
Position: Midfielder
Age: 13
Bio: U12 Queensland representative player in 2023, who has exceptional technical ability. Yui has a good first touch, a great passing range, and is able to strike the ball from outside the box.
Name: Charlotte Ireland
Position: Central defender
Age: 13
Bio: In 2024, Charlotte has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships, and has played an integral role defensively in the Bill Turner Trophy tournament. She has an outstanding first touch, and is able to distribute the ball very well.
Name: Macinley Smith
Position: Striker
Age: 14
Bio: In 2024, Macinley has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships, and has been Cairns SHS top scoring striker in Bill Turner Trophy tournament, scoring a first half hat-trick in the North Queensland Final. Macinley is lightning quick, physically strong and
very direct.
Name: Marnie Cavanagh
Position: Midfielder
Age: 14
Bio: In 2024, Marnie has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships, and has been a leading force in the midfield during the Bill Turner Trophy tournament. Marnie is blessed with speed and endurance and will work tirelessly to close down the opposition midfield, and create opportunities in attack.
Name: Eliyah Busuttil
Position: Defender
Age: 14
Bio: In 2024, Eliyah has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships, and has been a consistent contributor towards the
success of the Bill Turner Trophy tournament. Eliyah is a strong and physical defender, and is very good at working forward to create
attacking opportunities.
Name: Kyah Jones
Position: Midfielder
Age: 13
Bio: In 2024, Kyah has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships, and has made her presence felt in midfield, throughout the Bill Turner Trophy tournament. Quick and agile, Kyah will work to create attacking opportunities and will work tirelessly to make strong physical challenges in the midfield.
Name: Alisha Mays
Position: Attacker
Age: 14
Bio: In 2024, Alisha has represented Queensland at the National Youth Championships, and has been industrious in attack, throughout the Bill Turner Trophy tournament. She is skilful and will look to attack the defenders in a 1v1 wherever possible.
Name: Emily Carless
Position: Attacker
Age: 15
Bio: In 2024, Emily has represented Queensland at the National Youth Championships and Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships. She is an emerging star who is exceptionally quick, skilful and creative which causes havoc for defenders.
Name: Payton Rose
Position: Midfielder
Age: 14
Bio: In 2024, Payton has represented Queensland at the National Youth Championships and Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships. She is a very accomplished footballer who is the bedrock of the midfield. Payton has exquisite skills, great distribution and has a strong physical presence.
Name: Elina Lawesson
Position: Central defender
Age: 15
Bio: In 2024, Elina has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships where she was voted as Coaches’ Player of the Tournament. Elina is strong in challenges, and has a great first touch and excellent distribution.
Name: Ella Buie
Position: Goal Keeper
Age: 14
Bio: In 2024, Ella has represented Peninsula at the 13-15yrs State Championships where she was voted as Players’ Player of the Tournament. Ella is a great shot stopper, very reliable, and often pulls off terrific saves in 1v1s, she is also very strong and playing the ball out with her feet.
Name: Xanthe Bennett
Position: Defender
Age: 15
Bio: Xanthe has made exceptional improvement this year, and is part of the Stratford Dolphins U23 Women’s team. She will work tirelessly in defence and always looks to retain possession in attack.
Name: Alice Braisted
Position: Defender
Age: 15
Bio: Alice has great natural ability and will work hard to contribute to the team. She is very good at 1v1 challenges, is quick and strong, and will look to play simple but effective passes when in possession.
Name: Amelia Scholefield
Position: Defender
Age: 14
Bio: Amelia is a consistent defender that will work hard to make strong challenges, and looks to retain possession in attack.
Name: Ruby Tainsh
Position: Striker
Age: 13
Bio: Ruby is an emerging talent, possessing speed, strength and skill. She has a good eye for goal and is very creating in attack.
Cairns SHS Boys’ Bill Turner Trophy Team
Name: Jakob Sorensen
Position: Centre Back
Age: 14
Bio: Jakob is a strong and technical centre back. His ability to read the play and understand attackers movements, as well as his ability to keep the ball and play out under pressure, make him a very good player and a difficult opponent to come up against.
Name: Lucas Chetham
Position: Centre Back
Age: 15
Bio: Lucas is a no nonsense defender, he is strong in the air and loves a tackle. His distribution on his left foot and his ability to win the ball off attacking players is an asset to the team.
Name: Oliver Hartsuiker
Position: Defender
Age: 14
Bio: Oliver is a ball playing defender who isn’t shy of getting stuck in. His technical ability and composure on the ball are assets to the team when in possession. He also rarely gets beaten in a 1v1. Oliver will be a key player in the upcoming state finals.
Name: Lennox Fannon
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 15
Bio: Lennox is a new addition to our Excellence program, moving from Brisbane he brings a wealth of experience and energy to the team. He is a smart player who is technically and physically adept for his age. His strengths lie in his ability to keep the ball and create attacking opportunities for his teammates, as well as being able to win the ball in midfield and break up attacking plays.
Name: Sam Freeland
Position: Defender
Age: 14
Bio: Sam has been a revelation in our defensive line up, he prefers the midfield but his understanding of the game and technical ability have made him one of our most consistent performers. In both the Cairns and NQ finals he was unbeatable and minimised the threat from the oppositions key players.
Name: Liam Klindt
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 15
Bio: Liam is a key player in our midfield. His ability to go from box to box for the entire match and out work everyone he comes up against allows not only himself, but his teammates the time and space to be creative and clinical. He is confident on the ball and loves to hassle when not in possession.
Name: Taiga Sasaki
Position: Winger
Age: 14
Bio: Taiga is a lightning quick player who has been converted from a defender to an attacking weapon. He has the ability to beat players with ease and has the quality to deliver into dangerous areas in the box. He will be a key player at the State finals.
Name: Timothy McCarthy
Position: Striker
Age: 15
Bio: Tim is a very versatile player, his strengths are his first touch, finishing and his ability to keep the ball under pressure. He is an attacking threat in and around the box and has an eye for goal. He has been part of both the QLD School Boys team and the Football QLD team. Definitely one to watch in the future.
Name: Sol Xiong
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 13
Bio: Sol is the youngest player in the team but has played almost every minute in our qualifying rounds. His technical ability and understanding are well beyond his years. Despite his size he rarely loses the ball and can pick apart a defence with his passing range.
Name: Hiroto Akiyoshi
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 14
Bio: Fresh from successful trials in Japan, Hiro is back ready to make his impact known and show why he is sort after overseas. His first touch and passing range allow him to keep the ball under pressure and create attacking opportunities from anywhere on the pitch.
Name: Reuben Eyre
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 15
Bio: Fresh from a long stint on the side lines with a broken leg, Rueben is back and raring to go. He is a versatile player who can play anywhere, his work rate off the ball and confidence to be in possession will be an asset at the state finals.
Name: Phoenix Ross
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 13
Bio: Despite his age Phoenix is a very intelligent and technical player. His maturity and understanding of the game coupled with his excellent technical skills help him compete and beat players who are older and more developed. He will definitely be one to watch in the future.
Name: Caeden Fenech
Position: Winger
Age: 14
Bio: Caeden is a bull at a gate type attacker. He is strong, fast and isn’t phased by who the defender is in front him. He has the ability to beat opponents 1v1 and bring others into the game with smart combination play. He will be an asset to the excellence program in the future.
Name: Rhys Govorko
Position: Goal Keeper
Age: 15
Bio: Rhys is mature and confident keeper. He owns the space around his goal and his hard to score against through smart positioning and solid technique. His shot stopping ability and his confidence to play out with his feet make him not only a defensive asset but an attacking one as well.
Name: Leon Davis
Position: Winger
Age: 14
Bio: Leon is a versatile and direct attacking player. He can be played anywhere in our attacking line up as he has the ability to dribble past players or shoot from long range. He has scored some very important goals in the qualifying rounds that have helped secure a place in the State finals.
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Originally published as Cairns SHS crowned champions of the Bill Turner Cup
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