Queensland’s top sport star prodigies revealed for 2022
From shattering records, earning selection in national teams to playing above their age group, here are more than 50 Queensland sports prodigies to keep an eye on. SEE THE LIST
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From elite school competition to national championships being held across the country, this year has been filled with junior sporting talent.
With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics etching closer, teen athletes from all sports are working to make their dreams a reality in their chosen sports.
Do not let age fool you, these young stars are on their way to international praise.
Whether it be netball, rugby, diving or skating - it is all happening in Queensland as we reveal the state’s top sporting prodigies from 2022.
QLD’S TOP SPORTS PRODIGIES OF 2022
HOLYEE JACKSON - BMX
Jackson is a freakish BMX talent who has the talent and mindset to make it to the next level.
She has been making a name for herself ever since she got on the bike and has a hunger for success.
More on Jackson here.
LUCAS HERRINGTON - FOOTBALL
Brisbane Roar centre back Lucas Herrington is an intelligent footballer, who reads the game well and has a huge presence on and off the pitch.
“Lucas Herrington has a great presence in the dressing room and is a natural leader,” Alex Rados, director of football at Churchie, said.
He led his team in the 2022 Bill Turner Cup with his organisational skills, passing ability and being a constant danger for opponents on set pieces.
MALAELA SU’A- RUGBY
Su’a has been making waves in both rugby sevens, league and union for a few years now. Having now played for Queensland in both league and sevens as well as the Queensland Reds Super W - Su’a is certainly an exciting prospect to watch.
She is well balanced on the field and is known for her powerful runs and dominant defensive style, often causing attackers to think twice before running through her channel twice.
LEBRON BROOKS - BASKETBALL
Brooks has an automatic mid-range jump shot.
As his opponent, you don’t want him to see one go down because that’s usually the first of many buckets to come.
If he catches fire he can single-handedly erase a deficit or storm his team ahead.
He’s not the tallest but he’s not afraid to drive to his spots and get high-percentage looks by sheer physicality and will.
Brooks is as tough a competitor as they come.
SAMUEL GEU - BASKETBALL
The Toowoomba coaches do load management and have to turn this Year 10 beast away from the gym.
Friday afternoons, he is using the shooting machine.
Toowoomba Coach Kabe Cicolini said “there are times we have to say based on your load management numbers we can’t let you in the gym, it’s a good problem to have.”
“He’s just a young kid maximising his opportunities on campus. He’s been given a crack and taken it with both hands.”
This year the Toowoomba basketball team got themselves in a position to fight for a GPS premiership and towering centre Samuel Geu delivered a game-winner in round nine to top-off that fairytale season.
With an unbelievable jump shot, Geu crowned Toowoomba firsts premiers for the first time in history.
HARRIET SMITH – EQUESTRIAN
West Moreton Bay Anglican College student Harriet Smith is an 11-year-old with a bright future in the sport.
From Kalbar, Smith has winning in her blood, her father Ross was selected as New Zealand’s representative for the World Cup Final in France in 2014 and has been grooming her for such stages since the beginning.
More on Smith and her Olympic aspirations here.
ALEX OCANA-MORTON – FUTSAL
Ocana-Morton, 16, is a player with incredible stamina, exquisite technique and a true passion for the game.
He is technical, has unbelievable fast feet and quick thinking on the court.
He has played futsal since he was six and is also a referee and accredited coach who loves giving back to the community.
He is the youngest player in the youth men division in the 2021/2022 SEQ Premier League competition.
PRESTYN LAINE-SIETU – RUGBY
Laine-Sietu played outside centre for Nudgee’s 16As and he played against Barker College when Nudgee butted horns with them on September 11.
Nudgee director of rugby Sean Graham said he has an uncanny ability to beat the first defender through timing, good footwork, a fend and evasion skills.
He was one of five Queenslanders selected in the under-16s Australian Development Squad after a brilliant showcase of his potential in the National Championships.
RELNA HOSEA – RUGBY LEAGUE
Relna Hosea is an Ipswich Brothers junior, another young star who continues to bolster her community’s strong rugby league reputation.
From Ipswich Girls Grammar School, Relna Hosea was another Ipswich representative to make history on State of Origin night.
She told the Queensland Times earlier this year that it meant a lot to play for the Queensland 16-18 years schoolgirls.
“It is a big thing and it makes my family and community proud,” she said.
More on Hosea here.
SIANNA GINGER – CRICKET
A talented all-rounder, who bats in the top order and bowls right-arm medium fast – the Townsville product is already a standout in the Katherine Raymont Shield women’s first grade competition and was invited to train alongside the WBBL Brisbane Heat recently.
Led the way in the Queensland under-19 team this summer and as such was picked in the inaugural Australian Under-19 Women’s World Cup team.
LUCY HAMILTON – CRICKET
A rising star of Queensland cricket, the tall left-arm pace bowler has already tasted senior cricket in the WNCL for the Queensland Fire and the WBBL Brisbane Heat despite being one of the youngest players on this list.
Another key performer alongside Ginger in the Queensland under-19 team later this summer.
She will join Ginger at the World Cup.
COOPER CRACKNELL – RUGBY LEAGUE
Cracknell has a freakish ability to keep the play alive and get the ball free with sneaky offloads in contact.
A handful of the time it pays off with a try out of nowhere, the Queensland Schoolboy select executing his offloads with care and precision.
It’s worth noting the backrower is a fearless ball carrier and an excellent leader in the defensive line.
As such, he has a scholarship with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
XZAVIER TIMOTEO – RUGBY LEAGUE
Timoteo will look like a man among boys when the Cyril Connell Challenge kicks-off in the New Year.
The Springfield junior led from the front all year, scoring tries and putting on big hits in defence.
He can play both league and union at a high level and he will be an enforcer for the Jets with his big frame and physicality sure to leave bruises on the shoulders of his rivals.
TAFITO FALANIKO AH-KI – RUGBY
Ah-Ki was a mighty mite, whose skill and poise was largely responsible for Eddie’s dramatic rise to AIC dominance.
His blindside runs, deft kicking and passing gave St Edmund’s every chance of success in 2022 and although St Laurence’s blockaded him in the decider, Eddies would not have got within reach of the big dance without their wonderful No.9.
LACHLAN STUART – RUGBY LEAGUE
Lachlan Stuart is a young halfback from St Peter Claver College, who idolises the great Darryn Lockyer.
He has a fierce competitive nature, a great show-and-go and an impressive short kicking game.
He had a pre-season with the Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga Cup team this year so keep an eye on him in 2023, especially after his Confraternity Carnival showcase, which earned him a sport in the QISSRL honorary representative team.
He was selected at No.7 in the elite team, which has included some all rugby league’s greats, such as Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen.
LEE MARTIN – ATHLETICS
May we present the 2022 National Junior Bronze medallist (shot put), Queensland School Champion in shot put, silver medallist in Javelin and Bronze medallist in discus at the Queensland All Schools.
Martin was a shot put and javelin hero at this year’s Australian All Schools Championships in Adelaide.
An all-rounder in throws who works hard in training every day focusing on technical aspects with his coach and father, Martin has been making representative sides for a long while.
The Queensland Junior Under-16 team in 2021, Queensland Junior Under-17 team in 2022 and the Queensland All Schools team in 2022 just to name a few.
HUGH WEIBGEN – CRICKET
The scorer of the youngest first grade century by a Valley District Cricket Club player, the off-spinning all-rounder will captain Queensland Metro at the national under-19 championships.
He has the magic touch after he captained Brisbane Grammar School to the GPS First XI premiership earlier this year.
ROMAN SIULEPA – BASKETBALL
Siulepa is a dynamic athlete with a team-first outlook.
The Year 10 student is not only a good passer but also a leader both through example and his voice.
Arguably one of the best in the country for his age group, the 16-year-old can do everything. He’s often the biggest player on the court in schoolboy competitions, standing at 200cm.
JESSICA PETRIE – BASKETBALL
Petrie is a strong post player, who can finish around the rim with ease.
She has a big presence down low and can shoot the lights out too.
Petrie represented Australia in the Under-17 FIBA World Cup and it’s worth noting the young gun has the pick of mentors in father Anthony Petrie, an ex-NBL player, and mum Sarah who is a former WNBL player.
ROCCO ZIKARSKY – BASKETBALL
Apart from being a giant, Zikarsky is an exceptional listener.
Zikarsky is a coachable young talent with high basketball IQ, take it from Brisbane Grammar School coach Dan George, who once had the young gun in his ranks before he joined the NBA Global Academy.
“That’s what sets him apart and will continue to do so as he gets older,” George said.
“He is such a good athlete, runs the floor, has great hands finishing around the rim and has the ability to shoot jump shots very well. He’s not limited to being tall and close to the basket.
“(He’s a) great rim protector.”
INDY COTTON – BASKETBALL
A natural hooper, Cotton has all the tools along with the right mindset, athleticism, incredible vision, determination, and above all is a team player.
We can’t forget he’s in Year 9 and despite being younger, he was a force in the GPS First V basketball competition.
He made the under-15 Oceania team for Australia and there’s little wonder why – he’s one of the best young talents Queensland has to offer.
CHACE OATES – RUGBY/CRICKET
An absolutely elite outside centre, who wins matches with his boot, his pace and his creative play.
He is back again in 2023 for a resurgent Toowoomba Grammar School and the TGS faithful can’t wait.
While Oates has the surprise element of extreme speed which sees him brush past defenders, it’s his masterful kicking game paired with his goal kicking accuracy that sets him apart from the rest.
He spots space and takes advantage of it and that’s why he’s one of the better chances of kicking a 50-22 on the day.
He plays for TGS’ Firsts cricket and rugby side and made the under-16s Australian Development Squad.
AMAYA MEARNS – ATHLETICS
St Pauls’ School student Mearns is not just a sprinter (100m, 200m) but also a field athlete in the long jump and triple jump.
Mearns is a sprinting specialist but she has also been selected into phase two of YouFor2032 as a potential football striker.
She has run the 100m in 11.82 seconds and the 200m in 24.27 seconds, ranking in the opens women’s across Australia.
She won five gold medals at the recent Queensland school girls athletics championships and is off to New Zealand in January for the Coca-Cola games with Queensland Little Athletics.
LEILANI HILLS – RUGBY 7S
Brisbane State High School’s Leilani Hills is one of the top athletes in the state.
An elite touch footballer as well as potential NRLW and Rugby Sevens player, Hills is arguably the best in Australia for her age in the 100m hurdles and came second place in the 400m hurdles at nationals this year.
Hills is part of the QAS Squad. In space, there’s not many that can catch her.
AMAHLI HALA – RUGBY 7S
Hala is already a real talent.
She’s humble but on the field she becomes a force not to be reckoned with.
She is strong, fast, has the ability to see space, create space and with the silky skills of a touch player she can pass 15-20m left and right with ease.
TIRESA ELIKA – RUGBY LEAGUE
What a year 2022 has been for one of Veronica White’s most promising rugby league rookies.
Tiresa Elika, from Ipswich State High School, ran out in the State of Origin III curtain raiser and put on a show.
The Brothers Ipswich junior earned her spot in the first ever Australian Schoolgirls side, and travelled internationally to play in September.
This puts Elika at the forefront of one of the most monumental steps for women’s rugby league.
SHALOM SAUASO – ANYTHING WITH A RUGBY BALL
Sauasois a cross-code talent with incredible rugby league and union ability.
Sauaso’s rugby league coach at Ipswich State High School Veronica White said it was a matter of what code goes after her.
The 15-year-old has recently been trending down the rugby union path, however, she truly is so good that she could be selected in either code.
Sauaso and school friend Ariana Henderson represented the Australian Under-18 team at the World School 7s Cup this month in Auckland where she was the youngest in the squad and youngest ever female in history to make the team at only 15.
She won the Ipswich State High School Player of the Year for two consecutive years, was a nominee for the Ipswich Young Sportsperson of the Year in 2021, and is the youngest player ever to be selected to the Queensland Reds Women Academy.
Indeed Sauaso has a bright future.
DAVID LEOTA – RUGBY LEAGUE
Signed by the Bulldogs, backrower Leota is a wrecking ball.
He made a tremendous impact for Ipswich Grammar in the GPS Rugby season, making strong carry after another.
He is a talent in league as well as union, the headgeared powerhouse played extremely well in the Emerging Reds Cup and is going to look like a man among boys for the Ipswich Jets in the Mal Meninga Cup next year,
His older brother Israel is also a tremendous athlete who excels on the track, rugby union and rugby league field as a towering centre with a great vertical leap.
KOBI WALKER – TRACK ATHLETICS AND CROSS COUNTRY
Kobi Walker, 16, has made her name known within athletics and cross-country circles as one to beat.
In April 2021, she competed in her first national track and field title in the under-17s girls 1500m event.
After a successful 18 months, she recently competed at the Australian Athletics All Schools competition in the 1500m and 3000m races.
Walker seems to follow family footsteps when it comes to athleticism, with her mum (Katie) an ex-Firebird netballer, cousin (Sam) a Rosters scrum half, and her father (Shane) and uncle (Ben) ex-Broncos legends.
ALEX ARBUTHNOT – FIELD ATHLETICS
The young pole vaulter has just beaten a long standing record at the Australian All Schools Athletics and is on his way to making the international stage.
Sport runs in the family, with both of Alex’s parents and his older sister, Jade, having state level success in their chosen codes.
The only competitor to make it over heights of 4.45m, Arbuthnot left the competition with a well-earned gold medal.
SOPHIA DOBSON – NETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL
With two years’ experience in the HART Ruby series (netball) and a recent naming in the Queensland under-19s state squad for 2023, Dobson has wasted no time in making herself known.
The young gun is a dual athlete playing national level volleyball and netball, while juggling the final years of high school at Moreton Bay College.
THOMAS MCKINNEY – VOLLEYBALL
After a recent campaign for Redlands College at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup, McKinney has been identified by the Australian Institute of Sport as a high-potential player.
His height and sense of teamwork has helped lead his school to success throughout the 2022 volleyball season, including bronze at the Queensland Senior Schools Cup.
GEMMA HUTCHINGS – NETBALL
The Cougars netballer is a versatile defender with on-court skills that dominate her opponents.
For the second year in-a-row, Hutchings has been named in the under-17s Queensland squad that will be reduced to a final 12 players early in 2023.
Intercepts are her specialty along with consistency at such a young age.
COOPER WESTERN – OFF-ROAD RACING
Cooper Western, 17, is not your average athlete.
His sport of off-road racing usually goes unrecognised, but his talent is hard to hide.
In 2022, Western raced in the notoriously rough Tatts Finke Desert Race, through desert terrain from Alice Springs to the remote Aputula community in the Northern Territory.
KAYLEE TAMALA – NETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL
Grade 10 student Kaylee Tamala has started her sporting career early in both volleyball and netball
The 15-year-old represented Queensland in both sports this year and was named Most Valuable Player of the competition at the Volleyball 13-15 years (girls) School Sport Championship.
Her sheer athleticism has stirred rumours about a future in the HART Ruby Series for 2023.
MAGGIE GREY – DIVING
At just 12-years-old, Maggie Grey is reaching incredible diving heights.
Grey was recently named as a team co-captain for the School Sport Australia Diving National Championships.
A member of the Queensland Academy of Sport, Grey is already looking for a bid at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, where she will be 22-years-old.
EMILY FRANCIS – DIVING
Francis is a member of the Australian National Elite Junior Program for diving alongside Maggie Grey.
Despite only starting her diving journey 12 months ago, the teen sensation is making big waves in the sport with her dreams set on Brisbane 2032.
Originally a gymnast, Francis’ tumbling skills transferred seamlessly to the water sport as soon as she made the switch.
To make her dreams a reality, she trains up to nine times a week at the Sleeman Sport Complex.
CHARLIZE RATU – RUGBY 7S/NETBALL
Another dual sporting star, Ratu shows spectacular talent both on the netball court and on the field for rugby sevens.
After a successful stint as training partner for the Carina Leagues Club Tigers (HART Ruby Series), she continues to dominate the sevens sphere and recently earned a spot in the Renegades 32 squad for 2023.
Her success in the growing sport puts Ratu in a promising position for future Olympic squads.
BAILEY SORBELLO – RUGBY 7S
A relentless player in attack and defence, Sorbello is a key piece of Mt Maria College’s puzzle when it comes to rugby sevens.
Apart from her entertaining style of play, Sorbello has a genuine love for the sport which shows on-field.
The 15-year-old never shies away from a tough match.
SIENNA O’BRIEN – RUGBY 7S
Fellow Mt Maria College student, Sienna O’Brien is only 13 years old but is already proving her strength against big names.
Her game awareness and teamwork abilities combine to make her a sneaky opposition.
Keep an eye out for O’Brien as her sevens skills continue to develop in future years.
MARLI AND RIO BURNS – NETBALL
This powerful duo have continued their impeccable form after moving from the Bond University Bullsharks to the ACU Cougars in 2022.
Despite suffering a broken foot through the season, Rio has remained sideline support for her twin week in and week out.
The pair are following in the close footsteps of their older sister, Rylee who represented the state in her under17s and under-19s years.
GABRIELLE SCHMIDT – TRACK ATHLETICS
A prominent runner in her age group, Schmidt is best known for her middle distance success on the track.
The 16-year-old flourishes in the 800m and 1500m, and her school opposition know her as one to beat.
In 2022, Schmidt gained herself a spot on the records list for the QGSSSA Athletics competition in the 16 years female Div B 800m.
CHARLIZE GOODY – FIELD ATHLETICS
Goody is arguably one of the best junior athletes in the business.
With five medals at the Queensland Athletics Championships and three podium places at the Australian All Schools competition, she isn’t slowing down for 2023.
In school she manages to excel in her studies while dominating the sporting arena all-year round.
While only in Year 11, Goody held the role of Athletics captain for Ipswich Girls Grammar School for 2022.
SETH MATHONY – TRACK ATHLETICS
From Brisbane Boys College, Seth Mahony has the track stamina to make anyone jealous.
In 2021, he took home silver in the under-16s male 1500m and 3000m events.
He managed to hold his second place title for another year in the recent Australian All Schools Athletics championships
GOUT GOUT – TRACK ATHLETICS
The Ipswich Grammar sensation holds a 100m personal best of 10.93 seconds as of 2022.
From GPS track and field championships, to the recent Australian All Schools Athletics in Adelaide, Gout is smashing his own records each season.
He is currently the under-16s Australian record holder for the 100m, and also competes in the 200m.
SOVIKA POUSINI – RUGBY 7S
Alongside Renegades 32 teammate Charlize Ratu, Pousini is making her mark in the women’s rugby sevens circle.
She’s taken her co-ordination, footwork and team-building skills from indoor netball and converted them to the field with style.
The soon-to-be Year 12 student is yet another talented asset in the King’s Christian College sporting legacy.
HARRY TAKIS – GOLF
Takis had recently played in the Queensland PGA and he made the cut.
He was near the lead at one point in the third round but fell away towards the end - he is arguably the best junior in Queensland.
SARAH HAMMETT – GOLF
A rising star in junior golf, Hammett is only 15-years-old but making her way up the ranks.
In 2021 and 2022 she achieved back-to-back Katherine Kirk Classic gold, only narrowly missing out on qualification into the 32nd Greg Norman Junior Masters.
KAI KOMULAINEN – GOLF
The under-17s star has made a name for himself overseas with US colleges eyeing his talent from a distance.
After taking out the 2021 Greg Norman Junior Masters, Kai travelled to the States to visit and play alongside Australian golf legend Cam Smith.
With a classic swing and consistent results, Komulainen is one to watch.
TAJ EGEA – GOLF
At just 16, Egea stunned Gold Coast crowds to win the 2022 Greg Norman Junior Masters in mid-December.
Finishing with six-under-par overall, the youngster showed determination across the four days to beat competition favourite Kai Komulainen.
It marks a back-to-back win for Egea, following under-15s success in 2021.
HARUHI NAKATANI – GOLF
Recently awarded the prestigious Order of Merit, Nakatani’s 2022 season has been nothing but royal.
Two wins and three top five finishes from six tournaments has put her in a brilliant position leading into 2023.
After joining her brother as a Greg Norman Junior Masters champion this year, Nakatani now looks to move into the realm of amateur golf with high hopes for continued success.
BILLY DOWLING – GOLF
Another junior golfing sensation, Dowling joined Komulainen earlier this year to visit Cam Smith in the US.
The under-17s star has been on the radar since the age of 14 and is surely improving with every major tournament.
His current home course is in Surfers Paradise where he plays alongside fellow under-17s competitor Liam Cafferkey.
ALICE BUCKLEY – MOTORSPORTS
A proud FIA Girls on Track Rising Star Participant, Buckley is fighting hard to make her name known in the motorsports world.
You may have seen her on the Sunrise program in October advocating for her sport.
Buckley is currently a Castrol team driver, and spends most of her time on the track.
In late 2022, she travelled to Italy for the opportunity of a lifetime where she drove an F4 car around the Pista Di Fiorano course.
TOM HOWARD – RUBGY
Reminiscent of some of the raw talent Ashgrove has been able to produce in their rich rugby history, this Year 10 was one of the competitions most exciting with ball in hand.
Howard stood out more and more every game as he began to find his feet at just 15 years of age.
After the schoolboy season, Howard represented the Queensland under-16 team in the National Championships. Read more about the exciting Howard here.
FRANKIE GOLDSBROUGH – RUGBY LEAGUE AND UNION
A revelation outside his Churchie teammate Dre Pakeho, Goldsbrough was an elite No.13 who caught the eye as much for his defence as he did his crashing runs or passes to winger Mac Kelley.
That was in the GPS competition, his platform to show the Brisbane Broncos what he’s about.
And boy did they like what they saw.
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Originally published as Queensland’s top sport star prodigies revealed for 2022
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