High School Sporting Achievers of Brisbane’s western suburbs
Here’s 100 of the top Brisbane West School Sport Achievers for 2024, the first in a four part series featuring rising sporting stars from across greater Brisbane.
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Welcome to a four-part series highlighting some of the finest high school sporting achievers from around greater Brisbane.
Over the next four days we will feature students from the western suburbs, the south and southwest, northern suburbs and the eastern suburbs and bayside.
TOP BRISBANE EAST AND BAYSIDE SCHOOL SPORT ACHIEVERS
TOP BRISBANE SOUTH WEST, LOGAN AND IPSWICH ACHIEVERS
TOP BRISBANE NORTH AND MORETON ACHIEVERS
Our story below also features information on Australia’s latest international sporting medallist from All Hallows’ School - Claudia Booth, Sara Connors and Ellie Sefton - who last Friday claimed a bronze medal at the under-16 water polo World Championships in Turkey.
OUR 2022 STORY ON SEQ HIGH SCHOOL SPORTING ACHIEVERS
TOP BRISBANE WEST SCHOOL SPORT ACHIEVERS
Jump to your school: Brisbane Boys’ College I Stuartholme School I All Hallows’ School I St Peters Lutheran College I The Gap SHS I Brigidine College I Ambrose Treacy College I Corinda SHS I Marist College Ashgrove I Brisbane Girls Grammar I Kenmore SHS I Gregory Terrace I Brisbane Grammar School I Kelvin Grove SC I St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School I Indooroopilly SHS I
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE
Dylan Jennison (water polo)
An elite water polo talent, Jennison only recently returned from representing Australia at the 2024 World Aquatics Men’s under-18 Championships in Malta last month.
He is a UQ Barras’ club junior who has been a high achiever across the sport this decade.
Joel McGruther, Ed Pill and Sebby Taylor (Volleyball)
Year 12 student McGruther was an elite middle player in the First VI who made the Volleyball Junior National Australian Squad.
Pill, who is in Year 10, will spearhead BBC’s program for the next two seasons after an outstanding season as Libero in the First VI. He was the best player in GPS in his position this season.
Both McGruther and Pill have been named in the Queensland under-19 team to compete at the 2024 Australian Junior Volleyball Championships from July 11.
Year 12 student Taylor, a pass hit exponent, represented Queensland in both the indoor and beach volleyball teams.
Charlie Russell, Jack McMahon and Andee Venter (swimming)
This terrific trio were young giants in the pool. Russell is an Australian all-age finalist and Queensland state championship medallist, while McMahon is also a national all-age finalist and three-time GPS swimming championship champion. Venter is a one-time Australian all age breaststroke champion and three times has been to an Australian age final.
Blake Armstrong, Zac Robinson and Ryan Atley (cricket)
A 2023 Lord Taverners’ premiership winner with the University of Queensland club, Armstrong made both the News Corp Lord Taverners and GPS First XI cricket Teams of the Season (2023 and 2024). Armstrong is a destructive batsman who can change the course of an innings, while he also opens the bowling for the BBC, delivering left arm orthodox. Blake has made the Queensland Schoolboys under 15s for the second year running and looks to push for Queensland under-17s selection next year.
Robinson made the Queensland under-17s team earlier this year after scoring 408 runs in the Lord Taverners’ season playing for Sunshine Coast. A Year 11 student, he has the ability to consistently accumulate big scores. He is one to watch for the future.
Atley, the BBC First XI captain this year, made the Qld schoolboys’ under-15 schoolboys last season. A gloveman and terrific left handed batsman, he is a steady influence on the BBC side.
Emerson Juhasz, Daniel Graham, Charlie Winks (basketball)
The boys were members of the under-18 Brisbane Capitals state championship winning side and all progressed to make the Queensland 18s bound for the national championships.
Juhasz was the MVP of the final series, along with being the state championships leading scorer.
These three will spearhead BBC in the upcoming GPS First V basketball season which many think BBC can go far in.
Alex Despoja and Rohan Hazratwala (Tennis)
Both boys reached the under-18 national doubles championship, with Despoja the champion and Hazratwala the runner-up.
Despoja reached the 2023 Australian Open qualifiers, while Hazratwala won through to the main draw of the Australian Open earlier in the year.
They were both the 2023 National School Champions, with Despoja signed at Juco in American College and Hazratwala a top 200 ITF ranked player.
Will Genberg (Tennis)
BBC’s next young talent behind Despoja and Hazratwala (mentioned above) was sweeping through, with Genberg leading the charge. He was the 2023 National School Champion and under-14 national grass court champion. A special mention to another BBC tennis player, Daniel Memmon-Warde, who was named in the 13-19 Years Queensland Representative School Sport Tennis team.
Hugh White (cross country)
A year 11 student, White is the 2023 Queensland Cross Country Championships in the under-17 year age group. He was also second at the 2023 GPS cross country (16 years, 6lm). He hails from sporting rich Roma and now boards at BBC.
Ben Schinard (cross country)
Schinard is a Year 7 young gun, the 2023 Queensland All Schools Cross Country Champion (12 years, 3km).
He also placed third in the Queensland School Sport Cross Country Championship, finishing third in his age group, and was a top 10 finisher at the Australian Cross Country Championships.
Archie Tennant (track and field)
A Year 10 student, he surged to second place at the 2023 Australian All Schools Championships under 100m last, and was also second in long jump.
He backed up that performance with second place in both the 100m dash and long jump at the Queensland All Schools Track and Field Championships.
Tom Nealon (track and field)
Another Year 10 student, this middle distance ace is a young man with a huge heart. He was third at the 2023 Australian All Schools Championships (under-15s) in the 800m after winning over the same distance (800m) at the GPS track and field championships. He was also second in the 15 years GPS 1500m and third in the 400m at those school championships. He is also capable of representing in cross country at a national level.
Callan Jensen (track and field)
Here’s an exciting talent, a rookie who was second in the gruelling Australian All Schools Championships (under-17s) 400m Hurdles, and fourth in the 110m hurdles. He placed second at the GPS track and field championships in both the 400m and 110m hurdles.
Kiama Jione (Rugby Union)
Kiama is a strong running No. 8 who was part of BBC’s undefeated 16A premiership winnings side. He also earnt Queensland Under-16s selection and subsequently an Australian under 16s call-up.
Only in Year 11, watch for Jione to make his mark in the First XV over the coming years.
Gray O’Neill (Rugby Union/Rowing)
He is both a summer sport (rowing) and winter sport (rugby) champion. Last year he made the First XV as a Year 10 student, and progressed to make the Queensland 16s.
In rowing, he was a BBC first VIII representative. O’Neill will have two years to showcase his skills in both sports.
Frank Howarth (Rugby Union/Rugby League)
The brother of 2020 old boy Jack, Frank is a dominant centre in rugby and a formidable forward in rugby league where he has been identified by the Broncos. He will be playing his second season of First XV rugby this season and is a youngster.
Stan Keats (Rugby Union)
Keats is a livewire halfback who can ignite a game from any position on the field. He tasted First XV rugby last season and will be an even better player this season after benefiting from that experience, and also training with the Queensland under-18s.
STUARTHOLME SCHOOL
Gretta Johnson (Cross Country/Triathlon).
A Year 12 student, Johnston was a Queensland triathlon selection earlier this year. She was fifth at the Queensland Schools Championships and then fifth at the Australian Cross Country Selection Trials in Canberra.
She is an inspiring First XC captain who has long impressed school staff with her motivation and leadership skills.
Bridgette Dalmau (Equestrian)
The school’s equestrian captain, Dalmau is a prolific talent who competes in competitions throughout Queensland. She is in the 2024 Queensland Young Riders Squad (dressage) and in 2023 claimed the Equestrian Queensland Rising Star award. She also won the FEI Young Rider Championship at the Youth Dressage Championships in 2023.
Daisy Plawecki, Olive Plawecki, Sophie Fryer, Tyra Jensen, Elke Jensen (all rowers)
Daisy Plawecki (Year 11), Olive Plawecki (Year 9), Sophie Fryer (Year 10), Tyra Jensen (Year 10), Elke Jensen (Year 10) all competed at the Australian Rowing Championships for Commercial Rowing Club.
Plawecki was also a under-17 Quad and Eight member at the Queensland State Championships (cox), and represented her state at the under-17 NSW championships.
Jensen also represented in the under-17 Four, the Eight at the Queensland State Championships and Queensland Eight at the NSW State Championships.
Greta Nott and Millie Davies (rowing)
Nott and Davies (Year 12) were a part of the Queensland Schools Pathway Rowing Squad which competed at the national championships in April.
Nott also represented Centenary Rowing Club at the Australian Rowing Championships.
Hayley Wilcox (softball)
Wilcox came home with the silverware after representing Queensland Metro in softball earlier in the year, claiming a cherished bronze medal.
Footnote: Stuartholme past students Phoebe Robinson (Texas), Ella McKenzie (Michigan State), Issy Allen (Iowa), Georgi Hedberg (Michigan State) competed during the NCAA University Rowing Program season. Georgia Rink also plays soccer at Caly Poly and Lucia Allen has signed to Florida.
Sophia Wright (rowing)
A Year 11 student, she represented at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships.
Olivia Williams (triathlon)
Williams was selected in the Queensland School Sports triathlon team for 2024.
Beth Hewett (Canoe Polo)
A year 10 student, earlier this year Heweer was selected in the Queensland Women’s Open Canoe Polo team which competed at the 2024 Paddle Australia National Championships. This was after representing Australia in the under-18 Women’s Team. She is trialling for the Australian team again in 2024, aiming to compete in the Oceania Championships.
ALL HALLOWS’ SCHOOL
Isabel Pattison (rowing)
An exciting Queensland rowing prospect, the Year 9 student broke the Indoor Australian and Brisbane Schoolgirl Rowing Association record (3:29.70) previously held by an Olympian, Maddie Edmunds.
Pattison then spearheaded the Year 9 Allhallows’ team into breaking a Brisbane Schoolgirls Rowing Association indoor record in their age group in a time of 8:34.80. Pattison’s teammates were Sophia Preston, Alice McMeniman, Meg Gallagher and Zoe Ball.
Allhallows had more success in the Year 11 indoor event when Gabby Ryan, Danielle Watt, Claudia Munn, Phoebe Cannon and Millie Gallagher combined to break another BSRA record (8:13.50).
Lilla Ribot de Bresac (swimming)
Ribot de Bresac represented Australia at the 2024 Oceania Championships after helping Allhallows’ School regain the CaSSSA championship trophy earlier in the year.
In one of the relay races at the QGSSSA championship, Ribot de Bresac joined Alice McMeniman, Keva Robinson and Abbie Hegarty to set a new CaSSSA record in 2:07.66.
De Bresac, whose grandfather John played rugby league for Australia, is coached by Steve Miller at Newmarket Racers who also coaches Allhallows’ old girl, Liz Dekkers, who is a new Olympian.
Claudia Booth (Water polo)
Centre forward Booth was a member of the Australian under-16 water polo team which won a bronze medal at the girls’ World Championships in Turkey over the weekend. Although she proudly represents her school, the Year 11 student also plays for the Barras UQ club.
Sara Connors (water polo)
A shining light in the Allhallows’ School water polo program since helping her school reach the under-12 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships title in 2020, Connors progressed to make the Australian under-16 water polo team which claimed a bronze medal at the girls’ World Championships in Turkey. The Year 11 centre back, who plays for the Barras UQ club, is the child of Queensland Reds great and former Wallaby Mark Connors, and wide Jodie who was an outstanding water polo player.
Ellie Sefton (water polo)
Sefton was a member of the Australian under-16 water polo team which claimed a bronze medal at the girls’ World Championships in Turkey late last month. A driver in the team, the Year 11 student is a proud as punch AHS girl/ She also also plays for the Barras UQ club.
Emily Cope and Alice McMeniman (water polo)
High achievers at Allhallows do not stop with the three girls mentioned above who represented Australia at the world championships. Both Cope, who plays for the UQ Barras club, and Alice McMeniman made an Australian team which represented at the World Aquatics Women’s U16 Water Polo Championships in New Zealand.
ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Jaclyn Barclay (swimming)
Australia’s latest Olympian, earlier this year Barclay helped St Peters stretch out its QGSSSA swimming championship winning streak which started in 2014.
The Australian Dolphins representative helped her school team’s push for victory with a record swim in the open 100m backstroke.
Barclay was a multiple medal winner at the World Championships in Doha prior to confirming her place on the Olympic Games’ team bound for Paris.
Macey Gates (Volleyball)
Macy Gates is another international from this extraordinary community who will represent the Volleyball Australia team at the Thailand Junior Volleyball Championships in Bangkok after making the national under-16s.
Harrison Cole, (Year 12) and Sienna Owen (Year 12) who made the Australia Under-18 Water Polo team, and Sam Kettle who made the Australia Under-16 Water Polo side.
Kai Gilbert (swimming)
A water baby, Gilbert is just at home in the water than he is on the land.
Earlier this year Gilbert represented Australia at the 2024 Oceania Championships.
His next big event in the water will be representing Australia at the 2024 World Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast, August 20-September 8.
He is a member of the Northcliffe SLSC.
Other high sporting achievers at St Peters include:
Allira Takau (Year 11), Sophie Scott (Year 11), Amaya Mearns (track and field)
Isabelle Palmer (Year 12) and Milla Roberts (Year 12) who were all Australian Under 18 Track and Field representatives, Wallace Charlie (rugby) who is a representative rugby player.
THE GAP SHS
Eli Pullen (artistic gymnastics)
A year 12 student, Pullen was a Junior International gymnast who, earlier this year, was first at the regionals (four gold, one silver and one bronze on individual apparatuses) for the Boys Grammar club.
Last year Pullen was part of the Junior Australian team which travelled to the Austrian Future Cup, helping Australia to fourth. The team went on to compete at the Olympic Hopes Cup, where the side came first.
He also attended the Pac Rim Championship for Australia in April.
Kaley Croot (athletics)
You got a minute? You will need it to read Croot’s list of achievements on the track.
A year 8 student, Croot’s accomplishments include:
+ 2018-2023 School Athletics age champion;
+ 2023 Sportsperson of the year;
+ First place in the 100m, 200m and long jump in her age group representing Met North 2022-2023;
+ Queensland School Sport Track and Field State championships second place getter in both the 100m and 200m finals last season;
+ represented The Gap at Little Athletics State Championships in Townsville where she was second in the 100m and third in the 200m;
+ represented Queensland the National Track & Field Championships in Launceston last November where she was a finalist (fourth in the 100m and fifth 200m), but a gold medallist as part of the 4x100m relay;
+ earlier this year Croot competed at the Queensland Athletics Championships (second in the long jump, fourth in the 100m);
+ represented The Gap at the Little Athletics State Championships earlier this year, finishing third in the 100m
Croot was also an outstanding touch football player, winning selection in the Met North side which competed at the state championships last month.
Caitlin Clarke (Volleyball)
The Queensland beach representative and Australian Junior Indoor team member said The Gap SHS’s support had played a role in her success so far.
“I love the community that Volleyball at the EVP program at the Gap State High School creates where I can mingle with other year levels. I want to compete for Australia at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in Beach Volleyball.’’
Clarke represented the Australian under-18 team at the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in June.
Harvey Schutte (Volleyball)
A Year 12 and Queensland Academy of Sport Volleyball scholarship holder, Schutte has risen to make the Queensland beach team and Australian Junior Indoor team which toured Thailand. “I want to play for the Australian Senior Men’s indoor team and go overseas to study on a Volleyball scholarship,’’ Schutte said.
Nicoleta Kioupelis (volleyball)
A Year 8 volleyball exponent, Kioupelis emerged from the QAS emerging talent program to make the Queensland beach volleyball state team. She is also an elite indoor volleyball exponent, making the state side as well.
Kioupelis praised The Gap SHS’s support of her volleyball career. “I love being able to develop my skills at training in the EVP program at the Gap State High School,’’ Kioupelis said. “I want to play for Australia in either beach or indoor volleyball at a senior level
BRIGIDINE COLLEGE
Bella Potts (cycling, track and field)
Potts would be one of the finest all around talents featured in this story.
In May she represented the AusCycling Development Academy track team at the Australia and Asian series held at the National Velodrome Malaysia.
This was after achievements which included:
+ four gold medals at 2024 Queensland Track State Championships in the Keirin, Points Race, Team Pursuit and Team Sprints events;
+ three silver medals at Time Trial, Sprints and Individual Pursuit at the same championships;
+ coming third during the 2023-24 Australian Junior Track Series;
+ finishing third at the National Junior Road Race, Shepparton;
+ driving to second place at the 2023 National Junior Criterium, Shepparton;
Claiming three bronze medals at the 2023 Junior National Track Cycling (Keirin, Time Trial and Individual Pursuit);
+ Potts was also second at last year’s Junior National Track Cycling in the Madison event.
All this after also representing the college as a Year 9 student in track and field and cross country.
AMBROSE TREACY COLLEGE
Ethan Keymer (water polo)
Ambrose Treacy College student Ethan Keymer had an amazing international opportunity earlier in the year when he earned selection in the under-15 Pacer Invitational Water Polo event held in Singapore.
At the event, his club team UQ Barras claimed the bronze medal after playing strong competition from Singapore, Thailand and Australia clubs.
There were absolutely thrilling matches, and further added to Keymer’s development in and out of the pool.
Tom Stegeman (swimming)
A Year 9 Ambrose Treacy College swimmer, Stegeman made a splash at the Australian Age National Championships at the Gold Coast earlier this year. The young para swimmer placed in five races, finishing with three bronze, one silver and one gold medal. He and his coach Paul Jones were very happy with the performances and the youngster will continue to strive for PB performances this year.
Sean Reid (Canoe)
Watch for Reid in the future after the Year 12 student competed with distinction at the Open A team which won a gold medal at the Canoe Polo Nationals in Canberra.
Aiden Brennan (footy)
Brennan was one of the best players in the AIC First XVIII footy competition earlier in the season where his ball use off half back and precision was a revelation. He transferred that form into an outstanding season for Sherwood colts in the AFLQ club competition, and is helping the Magpies push for a premiership this season.
CORINDA STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Corinda SHS students were reaping the benefits of a new elite athlete program having started at the school.
The program caters to a wide variety of sports from archery to speed skating, futsal and tennis plus many more sports.
Five-time Olympian and Corinda alumni Nat Cook is a program mentor.
Members of the Corinda State High School elite athletic program include these students:
+ Aditya Nghiem, a speed skating ace who won selection in the Australian 2024 Youth Olympic team after a national championship winning performance;
+ Ellen Martini, a deadeye in archery who was second in Queensland and nationally in her classification at the Archery Australia National Indoor Championships. The Queensland representative was a member and Australian Institute of Sport training camp;
+ Natalie Lang, an athletic silver medallist 400m at the 2024 Queensland Little
Athletics Championships;
+ Tristan Stock, the tennis ace who was a Queensland School Sport Team Member in both 2023 and 2024. Stock was ranked in the top 16 at the School Sport National Tennis
Championships where he helped his team to a bronze medal. He also made the 2024 13-19 Years Queensland Representative School Sport Tennis Team;
+ Rani Sharma (football) was a Queensland Academy of Sport player for the last
three years who claimed a silver medal at the FFA National Youth Championships;
+ Cameron Dugdell was a rowing gold medallist in the Junior Double at
Queensland 2023 State Championships, and also a 2023 silver medallist in the schoolboys
double competition at the NSW championships;
+ Isiah Uele, a volleyball exponent who had a winning touch, helping Met West surge through all comers during the Queensland School Sport State season. He was also a Queensland Merit Squad after shining in the 16-19 years age group.
Tanisha Gudigar (cricket)
Another outstanding achiever at the Corinda SHS was Tanisha Gudigar, a cricketer who captained the Metropolitan West 12 years school team which won the state championship.
She also played for Queensland Representative School Sport under 12s Team at the Australian School Sport Nationals and was captain of her club women’s third grade side.
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE
Sean Bright (water polo)
Bright made the Australian under-18 team which is competing this week at the World Championships being staged in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He is a part of a water polo program that continues to go from strength to strength, Ashgrove having won the AIC Open championship.
Bright’s high achieving teammates in the side included these Met North representatives - Angus Cope, Joseph Cervetto and Tom Sloman. Max Russo was named as a shadow player.
Lachlan McCall (rugby union, rugby league)
Playing hooker, McCall was selected in the 2024 Confraternity Carnival Honorary Teams of the competition. Earlier this year McCall represented the Marist College Ashgrove First XV with distinction, including earning a bench position in the Team of the Season. Joining him in the Confraternity Carnival merit side was Ashgrove centre Sean Green.
Troydon Ross (Australian football)
Troydon was a welcomed addition to Ashgrove this footy season, making an immediate impact on the field where his versatility in the midfield at both ends of the ground came to the fore during the First XVIII footy season.
Ross also fitted in seamlessly into the team, with his infectious personality making him an instant hit among the playing group.
Joel Drew (track and field, rugby)
Drew was an elite hurdles exponent, a multiple national medal winner who last year won the under-18 Queensland 400m title and finished third in the same event at the nationals (under-18s). He was also first over 400m at the 2023 Australian All Schools Championships, among his many other track and field achievements. This year also played strongly on the wing in the First XV rugby side, including scoring a vital runaway try in Ashgrove’s upset win over St Laurence’s.
That was his second year running in tries on the wing for the blue and gold army.
Jack Thompson (Australian football)
Marist College Ashgrove’s best player award winner last year, Thompson continued to be among the best midfielders in the AIC this year as Ashgrove claimed back-to-back premierships.
He also developed leadership skills which were a massive plus for the team in their pursuit of the premiership.
Harry Cook (Basketball)
Cook is doing big things in the basketball space, with his list of achievements including winning the under-18 gold medal at the state championships earlier in the year.
Cook also made the state team as a bottom age player and was selected into the NPP National Performance Program - a squad for teenagers earmarked for possible Australian selection in the future.
Will Nickelson (cricket)
Nichelson has been a staple in the Marist College Ashgrove First XI since his debut in Year 9. He was vice-captain in 2022 and in the 2023 premiership team, and earlier this year rose to captain the First XI.
A keeper from the Valley club, he was the AIC’s leading run scorer last year with a Bradman-like average of 107.25 (429 runs, two centuries). He also showed he was one of the premier glovemen, pouching six catches and three stumpings, and made the News Corp AIC Team of the Season across two successive seasons.
Then this season he scored 189 runs at an average of 47.25, and also earned selection in the Queensland under-19 side who will compete against NSW in a tri-series in Mackay during August.
Louis Morris (cricket)
Louis Morris was a left arm orthodox spinner and batsman who was the First XI’s vice-captain. A third year player in the Firsts, he had a huge role in the premiership winning 2023 team. Last year he was selected in the Queensland under-15 schoolboys’ team after he took 18 wickets at an average of 5.6 - the top wicket taker in the competition. Then in the 2024 season, Morris was again among the best with nine wickets at 4.4, and making 109 runs. Morris’ consistency in past seasons was recently rewarded with his selection in the Queensland under-19 schoolboys team where he will join fellow 1st XI member, Will Nickelson.
Will Banner, Toby Banner, Flynn Banner, Lachlan Davidson and Jake Davidson (triathlon)
Will and Toby Banner, along with Jake Davidson, were named to represent Queensland earlier in the year at the national triathlon championships following outstanding performances at the
Queensland State Triathlon Championships.
Lachlan Davidson also performed well at the state titles.
Other high performers at Marist were:
+ Matt Gibson (Basketball) who was a QSL Youth League player. He is one of the shiftiest, craftiest and most talented in the AIC;
+ Zac Milligan (Track and Field - and Cross Country) who broke the Queensland under-15 3000m record in 2023 while also representing Queensland in both disciplines;
Asher Parkin (Track and Field and Cross Country) was another running ace who represented Queensland in both;
+ Tom Howard (rugby union) the Marist First XV captain who represented the Reds under-18s. He was also an Australian under-18 seven-a-side selection, but withdrew due to injury;
+ Jasper Barry (rugby union), a courageous forward in both the college’s First XV rugby and First XIII league teams;
+ Ben Caughley who made the News Corp AIC First XV rugby Team of the Season.
BRISBANE GIRLS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Astrid Thomas (Rowing)
A Year 12 student, Thomas broke the 2009 Brisbane Schoolgirl Rowing Association record by 12 seconds earlier this year.
It was a record previously held by Olympian Jess Hall.
Astrid also set an Australian record for the 15–16 year old category. Her ergo time of 6:57.4 has set a new precedent for schoolgirl rowing.
Most recently Thomas was selected as only one of three athletes to represent Australian
Rowing at the 2024 World Beach Sprint Championships in Genoa, Italy, from September 13-15.
The high achieving Thomas also has a long list of rowing and water polo achievements, including:
+ Current BGGS rowing captain;
+ Winning gold (Queensland Women’s under-21 Youth Eight) and bronze (under-19 women’s scull) at the 2024 Rowing Nationals;
+ claiming bronze (under-19 coxless fours) at the 2024 Queensland State Rowing Championships;
+ winning gold (under-19 single scull, silver (under-19 Double Scull), bronze (under-21
Single Scull at the 2024 Queensland State Rowing Championships;
+ earning selection in the Queensland under 19 Pathways Eight.
In water polo, Thomas was a member of the 2023 Queensland Open Women’s Premier League representing Brisbane Vikings.
She was also an Australian under-16 Water Polo squad member in 2023 after also representing Queensland in 2021 (under-14), 2022 (under-15) and 2023 (under-17).
Footnote: At the same BSRA event where Thomas produced her record breaking performance, another BGGS student, Year 11s Cate Ward, passed a personal best time in the 2km ergo.
Zoe McElwaine (cross country/track and field)
A multiple BGGS Cross Country Champion, McElwaine represented Queensland School Sport at the 2023 National Cross Country Championships in Canberra.
On the track she is also a high class 1500m and 3000m runner, the reigning Queensland Athletics State Champions and 2023 Australian under-16 champions.
Charlie Howard (water polo)
BGGS has a rich tradition in water polo - past students Abby Andrews, Gabi Palm and Bridget Leeson-Smith will all compete at the Paris Olympics - and Howard is the next generation elite athlete in the sport.
The 2023 BGGS water polo captain, she was a part of the BGGS opens team which, earlier this year, finished second in the Brisbane Water Polo Inc.
The long limbed Howard, a goalie, is a member of under-17 Water Polo Queensland squads.
Carissa Graham (hockey)
A member of the under-16 State Hockey team, Graham was Player of the Match at Australian under-16 National Championships.
The year 10 student was also a member of the under-15 Maroon Indoor state team.
She is a leading light for the BGGS side which contests the QGSSSA competition.
Lizzy Harman (Golf)
Lizzy Harman started her golfing adventure aged just nine at her first Junior Golf Queensland
event.
Since then Harman has continued to develop her skills and gain experience playing in regional, state and national championship level.
Aged just 11 at the time, Harman was selected in the Queensland School Sports State Golf Team to play at the National Championships, although the event was cancelled due to COVID.
The following year she won the Queensland School Sports State Girls Championship title and again made the School State Team - another event cancelled due to COVID.
She was also runner-up Greg Norman Junior Masters 13 and under age group in 2022.
When she was 14, Harman was successful in winning the Queensland State Women’s Foursome Championship Title, as well as the Women’s Queensland Order of Merit event called the Oxenford Plate.
She went on to defend her Oxenford Plate Title this year.
Last year Harman was invited to join the 2023 State Junior Development Squad which contributed to her continued growth and development in the sport.
As a result she finished sixth in the Queensland Girls Order of Merit and 13th in the
Queensland Women’s Order of Merit.
Earlier this year Harman travelled to the ACT, South Australia, and Tasmania to compete in their respective Junior State Championships, and in April she competed in the Australian Junior Amateur Championship in Perth.
She currently sits inside the top 10 in the Australian National Girls Order of Merit and has gained a place in the 2024 State Junior Development Squad organised by Golf Australia Queensland.
Amarlie Evans (Taekwondo)
Amarlie started her career as an international athlete at the 2022 Taekwondo Cadet World championships in Bulgaria.
Since then Amarlie has competed in the Dutch Open where she earned a bronze medal, and has gone on to gather vast international experience by competing at the Belgium, Canadian and USA Open championships.
Currently the Australian national champion in her weight category. This year, Amarlie is training towards earning another place on the National Taekwondo team to represent Australia at the upcoming Junior World Championships in October.
Ella Yu (Table Tennis)
An Australian National Pathway identification squad member, Year 9 student Yu was a finalist in Queensland Junior Sports Award, 2022. She has won eight medals at national level and over 30 medals at state level across singles, teams, double and mixed doubles in both her own age or higher age groups.
Her list of achievements include:
+ 2022 national champion (U13 girls singles)
+ 2023 national champions mixed doubles (U13)
+ 2024 QLD State Champion (U15 girls)
+ 2024 QLD gold medallist for U17 girls team, selected in A team for U17 girls team to
represent QLD in the nationals.
KENMORE SHS
Lilly Meldrum (snooker)
Meldrum has been playing competitive junior snooker since the aged nine and won her first junior national title at 10-years-old. She has won seven national junior snooker titles and two national junior pool titles.
Meldrum is currently the Australian under-18 girls champion, under-21 girls champion and womens champion. Lilly won the national women’s snooker title at the age of 15 and is the youngest player ever to do so.
ST JOSEPH’S GREGORY TERRACE
Ike Martinez (swimming)
Martinez has been selected for the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships to be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from 21 to 24 August 2024.
The championships are a major benchmark meet for the Junior Dolphins ahead of the World Junior Championships next year and act as a litmus test against the best international juniors including swimmers from the United States, Japan and Canada.
He is on a thrilling swimming journey. Ike moved from Cairns to Brisbane in 2022 to further his studies at Terrace and continue his training with Centenary Rackley under head coach Damien Jones.
He then made the Australian 2023 World Junior Championships Swimming Team.
Earlier this year at the Australian Age Swimming Championships he won the 17-years 200m Butterfly, and was second in the 16-18 years 800m Freestyle.
He was also third in the 17-years 400m Freestyle.
Leading up to the All Ages, he broke the GPS swimming championship 100m butterfly record in a time of 29.55:16.
Vincent Faulkner (athletics)
A stunning winner at the 2023 GPS track and field championships, Faulkner has progressed at pace this year.
Earlier in the track and field season he won the State titles for the under-16 100m and 200m events and claimed the under-16 200m national title.
Also at the nationals he was third in the 100m and was part of the bronze medal winning team which competed in the 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay events.
BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Will Greene (volleyball)
The Year 9 student was youngest member of the BGS First VI volleyball team in
history, and not long after was selected to represent Australia in Thailand as part of the under-16 Volleyball Development Tour.
Last year he was also a member of the under-15 Boys Queensland team and is a member of the Volleyball Australia National Pathway Program.
Hayden Cahill (swimming)
Year 10 student Cahill has extraordinary endurance which was there for all to see when he won the 15 years, 5km event at the 2024 Australian Open Water Swimming Championships.
It was a huge achievement for the youngster who also competed at the national age swimming championships on the Gold Coast.
From the Yeronga Park Swimming Club, Cahill sliced an extraordinary 4.46 seconds off his previous best to claim a silver medal in the 15 years freestyle.
Swimming for BGS at the GPS championships in March, he earned champion status by winning the 100m and 200m events in his age group, then helped the BGS medley relay to the gold medal.
Seth Kennedy (track and field)
The all-time BGS school record holder for fastest 400m (47.51 seconds), this international standard athlete is an elite talent.
He is the under-16 national 200m and 400m All Schools Champion and a terrific talent who we can’t wait to see in action again at the annual GPS track and field championship in term four.
Patrick Holmes (hockey) was another high achieving BGS student who made the Queensland Maroons side which competed at the Australian under-16 National Championships
KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGE
Lucy Hubczenko (football)
Hubczenko plays club football for Virginia United FC and last Christmas holidays
trained at Celtic FC in Glasgow.
Hubczenko, who aims to play for Australia or Scotland, also made the under-15 girls Queensland Futsal team.
A ball girl at last year’s Women’s World Cup, she is in the football excellence program at Kelvin Grove State College.
Tully Heatley (Football)
A centre or winger, Heatley has been playing football since she was knee high to a grasshopper. She has been elite for Kelvin Grove school teams, making the under-15
Schoolgirls team and the under-19 Schoolgirls state side.
But she was also a member of the Future’s Matildas squad which underlines her amazing potential. Heatley said she had ambitions to become a professional footballer.
Zac Fowler (football)
A striker in the NPL Men’s and under 23 competition, this Australian under-16 schoolboys representative was also a member of the Brisbane Roar Men’s Academy.
“I want to become the next generational talent in Australian football and to proceed through the ranks of Professional football in Australia or overseas. I’d also love to represent Australia for the Socceroos and play in the World Cup.
Frederek Babbage (football)
A centre attacking midfielder, Babbage has been a prolific talent across the Kelvin Grove SC program.
Twice the school’s junior player of the year, the two-time Schools Premier League grand final winner has also represented the Queensland Schoolboys.
In club land, he has twice helped the Football Academy under-18s win premierships, while also being an under-18 grand final winner.
At NRL level he was an under-15 premiers player and four times named in Queensland schoolboys team.
Hence why we called him a prolific talent.
Mischa Saini (Volleyball)
A young veteran of five years in the sport, this volleyball middle blocker is under the watch of Volleyball Australia, having attended two indoor training camps.
One of his most treasured achievements was winning a gold medal while representing the Second Volleyball Queensland State Team in Bendigo, and also playing for the Queensland Beach Volleyball team.
“I want to get a scholarship to an American college for volleyball and I would also like to represent my country in the Australian team,’’ Saini said.
Ryan Edgar (Volleyball)
Edgar Greene will represent the Volleyball Australia team at the Thailand Junior Volleyball Championships in Bangkok after making the national under-16s. A setter or when on the beach, a defender, Edgar has risen through the ranks in a glittering four season career which has included these achievements:
+ under-14 indoor captain and representative at the Australian youth volleyball championships where he was MVP.
+ helping Queensland win the under-15 indoor national championship as captain and MVP player;
+ helping Queensland win, undefeated, the under-14 Australian youth beach volleyball championships;
+ helping his school produce podium finishers at the national Schools Cup competition as a Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 student and also in the beach volleyball national competitions across those age groups;
+ having toured with two junior Australian beach volleyball teams.
He is one of many high achievers in the sport at the school, including Hudson Symes and Oliver Morgan who made the Queensland school sports 12-15 years state side.
Archie Smith (Volleyball, AFL)
What a sportsman.
Across two sports he is absolutely outstanding.
On the volleyball court he plays the position setter, then on the Australian football field Smith is an elite wing or forward.
Indeed earlier this year he made his senior footy debut for Wilston Grange in the QAFL, and then earned selection in the under-16 Australian volleyball team travelling to Thailand.
He first made the Queensland schoolboys footy side in the under-12s, and progressed to Queensland under-15 side after captaining the Met North side to a grand final.
In volleyball, his team was a gold medal winner in the under 15 age group, helping earn him selection in the Queensland White side which he captained to a bronze medal at nationals.
Earlier this year he was also a member of the under-17 state side which won the gold medal at nationals.
“I aspire to keep playing these sports at a high level and see where I can get,’’ Smith said.
Ben Jackson (golf)
Jackson is a wonderful young golfer who is ranked around 23rd in Australian Boys Order of Merit.
His list of achievements include:
+ winning the under-14 junior age division championship at Royal Pines in 2022
+ finishing third in the Gary Player Classic in 2022
+ being ranked second in Brisbane junior amateur ranks
+ being a top five finisher at the Tasmanian junior masters
Jackson has also been a winter top three finisher at Keperra and an Easter top three finisher at Wynnum clubs during their respective two day events.
ST AIDAN’S ANGLICAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL
Zara Hagan (track and touch football)
A lightning quick sprinter who represented Australia at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games, Hagan’s 100m time sits at a dazzling PB time of 11.53 seconds, while her 200m PB has been lowered to 23.88 seconds. Her sister Rhani was also named in the 16-18 Years Girls Queensland Representative School Sport Touch Football Team.
Anika-Grace Te Namu and Eliza Staunton (touch football)
Te Namu was named in the 16-18 Years Girls Queensland Representative School Sport Touch Football Team while Staunton made the 13-15 Years Girls Queensland side.
Isabella Valinoti (triathlon)
Isabella Valinoti was named in the Queensland School Sport team for 2024 after claiming a silver medal at the state championships in the 15-16 years age group.
INDOOROOPILLY SHS
Jack Simmonds (triathlon)
Jack Simmonds was named in the Queensland Representative School Sport Triathlon and Aquathlon team. Simmonds is a regular face at national championships and also earned qualification to the Australian School Sport Triathlon Championships 2024 staged in Perth earlier in the year.
SOMERVILLE HOUSE
Emma Fryga (athletics)
When the chips are down at training, on a cold, winter night, image the energy and encouragement Somerville House track and field middle distance ace Fryga must get from knowing she is the under -16 national 400m, 800m and 1500m champion?
It is an extraordinary achievement for the Year 9 student who soared to such success earlier in the year - and she was in a record breaking mood.
Fryga ran the 400m in 55.09, chipping .01 off the previous championship record.
She also was in the zone to win the 800m in just 2:07.46, around two seconds off the championship record, and stormed home in the 1500m in a blazing time of 4:29.73.
Kaia Bottomer and Jess Wiley (water polo)
Here’s Somerville House’s latest international representatives. Both girls Somerville House made an Australian team which represented at the World Aquatics Women’s under-16 Water Polo Championships in New Zealand last month.
Elloise Doolan (swimming)
The swimming ace, coached by Sarah Caithness, was named in the junior Dolphins side preparing for the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships to be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in August.
Earlier in the year, at the Australian All Age Championships, she claimed a silver medal (200m Butterfly) and bronze medal (100m Butterfly).
Oliva Hine (swimming)
Somerville House’s Hine ploughed to a new record in the 16 years 50m butterfly at the QRSS swimming championships.
Blink and you would have missed her crashing recording breaking swim in 27.45. The Met East representative went past the previous record of 27.63.
Earlier in the year, at the Australian All Age Championships, Hine won gold in the 50m butterfly and was bronze in the 100m Butterfly and also as a part of the 4x50m Medley Relay team.
This was after Hine broke the championship record in the 16 years 50m butterfly competing at the QGSSSA swimming championship during March.
Eloise McLellan (swimming)
McLellan continued her prolific medal winning performances when, at the Australian All Age Championships in April, she won gold in both the 14-years 200m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle.
She continued on to claimed silver in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m IM and the 400 IM.
Then for good measure, she made it seven podium finishes with bronze in the 200m Backstroke.
Ruby Boxall and Coco McGrath (swimming)
Somerville House’s success in the pool have not been restricted to Doolan, Hine or McLellan this year.
Ruby Boxall (15 years) powered to a gold (100m Backstroke) at the Australian All Age Championships in April, and then added a bronze medal in both the 200m Backstroke and 4x50m Medley relay team.
McGrath (14 years) was also on the podium as a bronze medal winner in the 200m Breaststroke and as a part of the 4x50m Medley Relay team.
Other high achievers from Somerville House included:
Jessica Daley (swimming and netball), Mia Wolf (water polo), Lauren Larsen and Phoebe Guest (both 13 years national development squad members,), Lahni Ellen (netball and water polo), Miranda Bowen (Aquathlon/Cross Country), Selina Appleton (water ski), Addison Tran (water polo), Aleila Boyett (water polo), Charli Moore (athletics), Chloe Barrett (water polo), Emma Woolley (water polo), Isabella Upton (Synchronised Ice Skating), Kaitlin Teo (Figure Ice Skating), Leyla Dogan (trampoline), Pippa Lowson (Equestrian), Tamika Donald (Equestrian), Sophia Barrett (water polo), Eryn Glassick (cross country), Evelien Wiseman (swimming), Jhnayali Tokome-Garap (swimming), Sarah Adcock (swimming), Tamara Wiley (swimming), Charlotte Jenvey (athletics), Dasha Osadchuk (water polo), Jemma Wilson (Athletics/Cross Country), Jessica Durling (triathlon), Kristy Appleton (water skiing),Ruby Johnson (water polo), Billie Lowson (Equestrian), Chelsea Pears (Gymnastics), Elise Wiley (tennis), Emily Elsdon (sports convener), Isabelle Mezger (softball), Sophia Danieli (swimming), Tahlia Hanson (swimming), Alexandra Inwood (rugby).
Originally published as High School Sporting Achievers of Brisbane’s western suburbs
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