Queensland’s ultimate sporting dynasties revealed
Their influence spans across multiple generations and success on and off the field seems part of their genetics. Meet some of Queensland’s greatest family sporting dynasties here
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Their influence spans across multiple generations and success on and off the field seems part of their genetics.
From presidents who run clubs their son or daughters win premierships for, to cousins who play side-by-side and so much more, every association has families who are intrinsically linked to the sporting organisations they love.
Meet some of Queensland’s greatest family sporting dynasties here from:
Know a family who deserves to be recognised? Email tom.boswell@news.com.au to have them included
SUNSHINE COAST
Hill (Rugby League)
In 2023 Brett Hill was able to coach his Beerwah Bulldogs A-grade side to their first ever Sunshine Coast rugby league premiership. What made it even more special, was the fact two of his sons Jamie and Blake were a part of the winning team. His other son Matt was also a part of their 2022 senior side.
Mackinnon (Horse Racing)
Rising trainer Taylah Mackinnon has been learning the ropes alongside her father Stewart after the pair went into partnership in October 2022. The pair have been smashing goals after scoring their first metropolitan win together this season. Stewart’s son and Taylah’s older brother Scott also works at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club as the official race starter.
Robinson (Boxing)
A pair of Noosa siblings who started out with friendly ‘lounge room punch-ons’ have continued to shine inside the ring, earning Australian call-ups and top junior rankings. Paige, 18 and Cohen, 16 are both products of Noosa District State High School and have been fighting out of the Impact Boxing Gym in Cooroy for more than seven years.
Kendrick (Horse Racing)
Sunshine Coast’s premier trainer Stuart Kendrick has been dominating provincial meetings in Queensland for the past 15 years and is only getting better. His eldest son Nathan takes care of all of the stable’s yearling and pre-trainers while his other son Bayley is a valuable stable hand. His wife Trudy is also involved and does plenty of work behind the scenes.
Shanahan (Triathlons and Football)
One’s a rising football star and the other is proving himself as a talented triathlete so bragging rights is stiff competition in the Shanahan household. Charlie, 16 and her older brother Josh, 18 are definitely names to keep an eye on.
Smoothy (Rugby League)
After a standout year for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in 2022, Tyson Smoothy secured a contract with the Brisbane Broncos where he went on to become an important piece of their grand final surge. His younger brother Jai, who is also a talented rugby league hooker, has been around the Falcons system for some time and is a standout player for Kawana in the Sunshine Coast rugby league competition.
Smales (Surfing)
Surfing brothers Kaiden and Landen Smales are well known names among the Australian surfing community with both rising talents impressing at a local, state, national and even international level. Landen, 17, is ranked as the top Queensland surfer for under 18s and recently took out the Open Men Longboard and Junior Boys division at the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles. His brother Kaiden, 19, finished in second spot.
Fa’asuamaleaui (Rugby League)
Current Gold Coast Titans captain and Melbourne Storm premiership winning player Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, played school rugby league and rugby union for James Nash SHS while playing club footy for the Gympie Devils in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie Rugby League Competition. Tino’s younger brother, Iszac, debut for the Titans in 2023 where he played 13 matches.
Taplin (Horse Racing)
After selling their 1000ha dairy farm, New Zealand family Kerry, Ian and their son Jack relocated to the Sunshine Coast to further their race training careers. The trio quickly secured boxes in Caloundra and haven’t looked back since.
Pallister (Swimming)
Lani Pallister, 21, is a remarkable athlete. Would you believe she has been a world record holder in two sports – as a short course 4×200-metre freestyle relay swimmer, and also in youth life saving for her deeds in the 100m rescue medley. The world championship Dolphins’ star is the daughter of Janelle Elford, the 1988 Olympic 400 and 800m freestyle finalist, who is a modern day coaching ace.
Gordon (Rugby Union)
Brothers Mason, 20 and Carter Gordon, 22 both attended Sunshine Coast Grammar while playing club and representative rugby union in the region. Carter has since played three seasons for the Melbourne Rebels and made his test match debut for the Wallabies in 2023. Mason is rising through the ranks at the Rebels and continues to shine for Wests in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.
Mercer (Surf Lifesaving)
The Mercer’s are an iconic family name within surf lifesaving, dominating the surf sports scene from their Queensland base for many years. Legend’s of the sport Darren and his younger brother Dean, made their debuts in the late 1980s when they were both teenagers. Darren’s daughter Jordan is a surf Ironwoman series champion and a 10-time world champion. The family is still involved with the sport and some may remember Darren’s face from the iconic nutri grain cereal boxes.
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
McLean
There is arguably no more famous family in rugby than the McLeans. Doug McLean was the patriarch, a dual code international who had three sons – Doug junior, Bill and Jack. All the boys played for the Wallabies, while Doug senior’s three grandsons, Jeff, Paul and Peter, were also decorated Wallabies. It is an extraordinary family tree.
Nilsson
In baseball, Dave Nilsson played for Major-league Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers in the 1990s, and was an All-Star in 1999, the first Australian to appear in such a game. His brothers Gary, Bob and Ron also played in the Australian Baseball League. Dave is also the uncle to former elite junior Jay and current Bandits star Mitch.
Walters
Ipswich brothers Kerrod, Kevin and Steve Walters – the most famous of five sporting brothers – hold a special place in our rugby league sporting history having all played for Australia and won premierships. But two other brothers, Andrew and Brett, were also outstanding league players.
Hayley Lewis and Kai Taylor
Sport: Swimming
The champion Hayley Lewis is now watching her son, freestyle ace Kai, rise to represent the Australian Dolphins from the St Peters Swim Club. Earlier this year Taylor was a member of three relay medal winning team at Worlds, including one gold. Mum Lewis, of course was a World Championships gold, silver and bronze winner, and a silver medal winning Olympian and a bronze medal winning bronze medal winning Olympic representative. She is one of Queensland sport’s favourite daughters.
Barry and Brett Dancer
Sport: Hockey
Dancer is a hockey legend who represented Australia 48 times – then decades later watched his son, Brent Dancer, also represented Hockeyroos. Barry also went on to coach Australia, including to the historic first Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Ray and Denise Boyd. and Alana
Sport: Athletics: What a sporting family. Ray was a two-time Olympic pole vaulter who caught the imagination of the Queensland sporting public by winning the 1982 Commonwealth Games gold medal. He was also an 11 time national champion. Sprinter Denise, a Queensland Sport Hall of Fame inductee, was a two-time Olympian while Alana is a triple Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Gary and Daryl Wilkins
Sport: Football
Gary represented Australia at the 1974 World Cup, the first time Australia qualified. He was a Brisbane Lions six time premiership winning player who represented Queensland 35 times, most as captain.
Shannon and Caine Eckstein
Sport: Ironman
Has there been a greater ironman than Shannon? He earned eight Australian titles, six world titles and nine Nutri-Grain series. He was simply the best.
And of course his brother, Caine, was a fitness fanatic and prolific The Coolangatta Gold winner.
Johnson
Sport: Motorsport
The legendary Dick Johnson is a Queensland sporting icon, the V8 Supercar Hall of Fame inductee was a five-time Australian Touring Car Champion and a three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000. But of course he was much, much more than that. The Cavendish Road SHS alumni is a legend of Queensland sport, a hero to a legion of motoring racing faithful was a pin-up who inspired a generation around the sport. His son, Steven, was no slouch either, a Supercars ace and Bathurst 1000 competitor who, in 2007, placed third at Bathhurst. Now Jett Johnson proudly flies the family flag in motorsport.
John and Martin Lang
Sport: Rugby league
The great John Lang was a Queensland rugby champion, Test hooker and Penrith Panthers premiership winning coach. From the Easts Tigers in Brisbane, he iced his remarkable career by representing NSW, Queensland (State of Origin) and Australia in his final season in 1980 – then helped the Roosters into the NRL grand final. Son Martin was a straight running, tough as teak prop who represented Queensland with pride, and helped the Panthers win its 2004 premiership.
Bichel
Sport: Cricket and softball
Andrew Bichel was a World Cup winning matchwinner, Queensland Sheffield Shield champion and Test fast bowler while heaps of his extended also shone in softball. He followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Don, who also played cricket for Queensland. But there is more to this family. From the Gatton district, Leeann, Kerrilyn and Janelle Bichel were all Queensland softball representatives, while Tricia Bichel was an astute administrator. Each year the Leeann, Tricia Bichel Award is presented to the most outstanding umpire.
Nasser
Sports: Rugby, water polo
Brendan “Bobby” Nasser was a hard-nosed backrower who helped the Wallabies win the 1991 World Cup. Now he is watching his son, Joshua, don the famous Queensland jersey he once wore, while his niece, Molly, is an emerging left hand goal scorer for the Queensland Thunder water polo team. His other son Oliver, a Gregory Terrace student, also played for the Queensland Reds Under 16s this year.
Duncan Hall
Sport: Rugby league and union
Duncan Hall senior is one of Australia’s greatest rugby league players, a giant, mobile forward who inspired a generation of young Queensland league footballers. His son Duncan Hall junior was also an elite lock or back rower, a mobile, ball winning forward who represented the Wallabies and Queensland. What a family.
Langer
Sport: Rugby league
Allan Langer is arguably the Brisbane Broncos’ greatest player. Ipswich born and bred, Langer was a Queensland and Australian great – and to this day is one of the state’s most loved and recognisable sportsman who runs the water for the Broncos.
Allan’s brother, Kevin, was also a tough little rooster, a nuggety BRL halfback.
Fancutt
Sport: Tennis
The Fancutt family are institutions in Queensland Tennis. Husband and wife team of Trevor and Daphne Fancutt were outstanding tennis coaches, with mentoring a natural fit for Daphne after a decorated playing career which including being the 1956 Wimbledon ladies’ doubles final runner-up alongside Fay Muller. One of Daphne’s most notable juniors was former world No. 3, Wendy Turnbull. The couple had three sons – who all competed as professionals. Indeed all family members are some stage competed in the main draw of Wimbledon. The Fancutt name lives on through Daphne’s five grandchildren, with Tom a modern day player.
Barker
Sport: Rugby
Tom Barker was a Teacher-Norths champion, a lion-hearted flanker who played with Queensland and the Wallabies. But he had an army of brothers almost as good, and just as competitive – Damien and John. Grand campaigners and highly respected.
Donald and Garry Richards
Sport: Hockey
The Richards family is famous in Queensland hockey, with Donald playing into his 70s and his brother Garry a Queensland representative from yesteryear. Their sons also played for Queensland after representing the Australian schoolboys.
Daly Cherry-Evans
Sport: Rugby league
Queensland is indebted to Cherry-Evans for his role in helping Queensland to three of the last four State of Origin series wins after the Maroons struggled to adopt to life without its past champions like Smith, Slater, Cronk etc.
He deservedly was the starting halfback for the Test side last month and is a champion No.7.
That he came from a famous sporting family is well known, with the Cherry clan bush legends from Roma (see further down this story).
But Daly’s day, Troy, was also a respected league hooker who came from the Rocky region and who helped Norths Devils win a BRL premiership.
Ramsay
Sport: Swimming
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games swimmer Heath now has the pleasure of watching his daughter, middle distance medley swimmer Ella, represent the Dolphins. Ella has come through the St Peters Lutheran College system.
Reynolds
Sport: Cricket
Ray Renyolds is one of Queensland’s champion batsman, a top order whiz who was good enough to represent his country. Two generations on his grandson, Gold Coast teenager Cody, is a rising fast bowler who represented the Australian under 19s earlier this year.
Brownlie
Sport: Football
Young striker Rylan Brownlie has earned a Brisbane Roar contract despite still being at school. His progress follows on from an outstanding career by his father, Royce, who also played with the Roar, ironically as a striker.
White
Sport: Basketball
Darryl White, once named in the Australian rules football Indigenous Team of the Century, was a Brisbane Lions champion who played 268 matches for the club (including Bears’ games). His reign included three premiership. His son, Will, and his daughter, Jessica, have both been top tier basketball players, including representing Australia as juniors. The kids’ mum, Bianca, was also a handy basketball player.
Lee
Sport: Rugby league
Cousins Edrick and Brenko Lee were 2020 Queensland State of Origin series swimming team members. Both have had excellent NRL careers. A third Lee, Lui, is a promising outside back who has represented the Queensland under 15s and who is signed by the Roosters.
Heenan
Sport: Rugby
Daniel (Wallaby) and Mick (coach) were mighty figures in rugby, with back rower Heenan rising to represent the Wallabies and his brother, Mick, becoming possibly the most successful coach in Queensland club rugby history. Mick, a Marist Ashgrove old boy, oversaw a Red Heavies dynasty, including coaching them to six premierships. He also started his coaching career with a Colts One premiership at his junior club, GPS.
Johnson
Sport: water polo
Nicola and Lance Johnson were water polo champions who started the most successful junior club in Australia, the Mermaids, around 10 years ago. Lance was also a champion surf lifesaver while Nicola was a Queensland water polo representative who, in 2019, was named the first female Australian to referee at an Olympic Games (Tokyo). In the pool, their daughter Chelsea is an elite youth water polo for Queensland and Australia.
Mooney
Sport: Rugby
Paul and Phil were both Wests Bulldogs champions, Paul a Wallaby hooker and Phil an elite five-eight who went on to coach the Queensland Reds. Phil returns to the club next year as the Colts 1 coach.
Steve Price
Sport: Rugby league
The charge down king of the NRL, Toowoomba-raised Price is a Canterbury legend, a Queensland and Australian prop. Now his son, Riley, is making his way in the NRL.
Hetherington
Sport: Rugby league
Jason Hetherington is revved by Canterbury NRL supporters and is much loved by Queenslanders for his State of Origin deeds. His son, Kobe, was a grand finalist with the Broncos, a chip off the old block for his work ethic and toughness.
Edminds
Sport: rowing
Father Ian and his daughters Maddie and Jacinta are decorated Queensland and Australian rowers. Ian, a Brisbane State High School old boy, was a 1984 Olympic Games bronze medallist (rowing VIII) and 1983 world championship bronze winner. His daughters, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School alumni Madeleine (Rio Olympics) and Jacinta (2019 world championship) have both rowed for Australia at the highest level.
Kenny
Sport: surf live saving and swimming
One of the state’s most famous families is of course Grant Kenny and Lisa Curry-Kenny. Before his marriage to swim star Lisa Curry, Grant put surf live-saving on the map and became a household name across the nation. He later became an Olympian, including winning a bronze medal in the K-2 1000m alongside Barry Kelly 1984. Lisa Curry-Kenny was a Commonwealth Games swimming superstar, a golden girl time and again, who also competed in three Olympics.
Martin
Sport: Squash
The Martin family of squash fame are one of Queensland’s great sporting families. Michelle and her older brothers Brett and Rodney were all top professional players, with Michelle ranked number one in the world from 1993 to 1996 and again in 1998 and 1999, including three World Open titles and six British Open titles.
Betts
Sport: rugby
Souths rugby has had some mighty family associations over the years, including the Cannon clan, among many. But one of the more famous is Betts boys, Neil and Kevin. Both were tough as teak forwards, with Neil rising to become a Wallaby after captaining Queensland. Not content with his on field effort, Neil Betts then became a long serving club president of the Magpies. Kevin also contributed off the field, coaching Souths to the 1958 premiership – a team which contained his brother Neil “Tiny’’ Betts.
Goffers
Sport: softball)
Red Sox softball club stalwart Chris Goffer, a veteran of more than 500 games, is an icon of the sport, while at one stage all six sons suited up to play alongside of him. Shaun, an Australian Steelers representative, Brandon, Shannon, Ethan and Ashlee were teammates – while his wife Fiona was the official scorer. Now that is one famous Queensland sporting family, with more than four decades dedicated to Red Sox.
Miller (water polo, boxing, swimming, rugby)
The sporting deeds of the Miller family could easily be forgotten, but few families can match having siblings representing Australia at the same Olympics. Water polo player Gail Miller was a member of the Sydney 2000 gold medal winning team while boxing brother Paul performed with distinction as a middleweight at the same Games. In addition, another brother Steve (Newmarket Racers Swim Club) has been a world junior championships coach and is the mentor of ace butterfly exponent Elizabeth Dekkers. Miller also coached All Hallows’ School to a record breaking run at CaSSSA carnival. Another brother Chris was an elite under 19 rugby player before injury ended his career.
Civoniceva
Sports: rugby league, softball
Is there a more popular person in Queensland than Petero Civoniceva? Jeff Horn, Allan Langer, Michael Kasprowicz and John Eales would be other contenders in the good bloke stakes, but big Petero would be in the semi-finals for sure. A gentle giant, he was a record breaking Australian rugby league front rower and Broncos’ legend. Now his children, Kaden and Tallulah Civoniceva are making their mark in Queensland representative teams. And Petero’s dad, Petero senior, was a mighty first grade rugby second rower for the Redcliffe club. They are indeed a great Queensland sporting family.
Dickfos
Sport: Australian football
In the glory years of the QAFL there were the Dickfos brothers – Danny, Robert and Michael. Danny was the most successful of the boys who played AFL, but maybe Robert – an outstanding state representative – was the best of the boys. Older brother Michael was also an Queensland player and renowned leader, an Eagles premiership player who turned to coaching when injury slowed him.
Frisby
Sport: rugby
The brilliant best of the Frisby family is undoubtedly Wallaby and Queensland representative Nick – but 35-40 years before his state debut three uncles made names for themselves in club rugby. For three seasons at the GPS club Mick Frisby was the most feared back in Brisbane club rugby, running with great gusto with the ball, and in defence launching himself at opponents like an missile leaving a rocket launcher. He was also good enough to play for Queensland B against the touring England. Little brother Tim was no less courageous, starring for Brothers in the extraordinary premiership win of 1987 against the odds against a Wallaby-laden Souths. Before Tim and Mick arrived on the club rugby scene, older brother Paul was already a premiership winner with the mighty Brothers club in the late 1970s. An athletic winger, Paul Frisby’s grand final try was a typically acrobatic performance by the flashy wingman, a tumbling effort still spoken about today around Crosby Park.
Herbert – and Paul Mills
Sport: rugby
There are not too many parents who would have had the joy of seeing their sons both play in the No. 13 Wallaby jersey – but the late Margaret and Gerry Herbert did just that. Oldest son Anthony was first cab off the rank, proudly playing for Queensland and then Australia – including helping the Wallabies to a rare Test win on New Zealand soil. Some years later little brother Daniel Herbert came along, playing the first of his 67 Tests in 1994. Daniel was also an outstanding junior tennis player which was no surprise when you consider his father Gerry once beat the great Rod Laver at a junior tennis tournament in Rockhampton.
The Herbert’s impressive family tree around rugby did not end their, with their cousin Paul Mills also an outstanding – you guessed it – outside centre. Mills was a legend at the Brothers club, and was in the same side as Tim Frisby (mentioned above) which upset Souths to claim the 1987 QRU club premiership. Mills, a wonderful tackler and classy runner, also played for Queensland. In addition, Anthony Herbert’s father-in-law is Albie Taylor, who helped start Wests rugby and whose sons all played for GPS, including big hearted first grade backrower John who was highly respected by his peers.
Howard, Towers
Sport: rugby
Children of the 1960s and 1970s would know of Pat Howard as a lovely ball-playing fly-half or inside centre for Queensland, the Brumbies and Wallabies, and also as performance head of Cricket Australia. But the Howard sporting story stretches back to 1926 when his grandfather, Cyril Towers, played in the first of his 19 Tests. Towers’ son-in-law Jake Howard, who is Pat’s father, also played in the front-row for the Wallabies in the 1970s. Most recently, Pat’s son Tom is also a Marist Collehe Ashgrove First XV player and junior representative.
Free
Sport: Rowing
The Free family is one of the most famous in Queensland sport. Duncan was an Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion who represented Australia at four world rowing championships. From the Surfers Paradise Rowing Club, he was the son of ex-Australian rower Reg who coached several Queensland King’s Cup crews, crews which included his sons Duncan and Marcus.
Walker
Sport: Rugby league
The Walker brothers are slightly in the shadows of the famous Ipswich brothers, the Walters, but the Walker legacy lives on and on. It started with dad Garry, a second rower for Brothers and Norths in the late 1970s and early 1980s. From Toowoomba, the good oil was that in 1982 the state selectors had to decide between Walker and Bob Kellaway for an Origin reserve position – and Kellaway was chosen. But the Walker name lived on through sons Ben, Chris and Shane, all NRL players, and now through has grandson Sam who is an NRL zace with the Roosters. Sam’s younger brother, Tyson, plays First XV rugby at Ipswich Ggammar School.
Carr
Sport: Rugby league)
There was no finer player in the BRL than Norm Carr, a Wests stalwart who moved to Souths late in his career where he won a premiership. Carr was a classic cover defending lock for the Panthers and then Souths who also played State of Origin football. He also had the honour of playing in the same Queensland team as his brother, five-eight Wayne, prior to the creation of State of Origin. Norm’s son Cameron also became co-captain of the Australian wheelchair rugby team. Other BRL clubs had famous families associated with them as well, including the Cherry brothers (Redcliffe, see below), Albert Bishop whom Norths Devils’ home ground is named after and the Hickey family on which Brisbane Brothers developed Corbett Park.
Buchanan
Sport: Cricket, rugby
John Buchanan is best known as Australia’s most successful cricket coach and the man who guided Queensland to its first ever Sheffield Shield win in 1994-95. But as a cricketer with the University of Queensland club, Buchanan twice won competition Player of the Year awards, with his all-round efforts leading to Queensland Sheffield Shield selection. The children of John and Judy Buchanan were also notable sporting talents. Michael was an Australian Schoolboys rugby player who played T20 cricket for his home state in 2006 and 2007. His brother Tim played a game for the Queensland Reds and was involved in two rugby premierships with University. Nicholas then had the distinction of helping the Australian Schoolboys rugby side to a rare win over the New Zealand schoolboys and went on to play T20 for the Brisbane Heat.
Collins, Williamson
Sport: Rugby league
You would not get too many more famous rugby league sporting families than the Williamson-Collins clan. Modern day Queensland origin star Lindsay Collins is a current Australian Test forward. Lindsay is the grandson of Lionel Williamson, a proud North Queensland man who represented Australia as a winger. His relatives are Henry and Max Williamson who were also BRL premiership winners with the mighty Wests Panthers in the mid-1970s.
Veivers
Sport: Rugby league and cricket
The Veivers family is legendary in Queensland sport in both rugby league and cricket. From the Beaudesert/Beechmont region, initially Jack Veivers played rugby league for Souths Brisbane and Queensland and then his cousins, Mick (rugby league) and Tom (cricket) played Test matches for Australia. Jack’s son Greg, then emerged in the 1970s as an elite rugby league player with the Souths Magpies. Indeed he was an inspiring state captain, a big match player who played better, the bigger the match. Greg, a prop, captained Australia in 1977. His young brother Phil then played 400 first grade rugby league games in England in the 1980s for St Helens where he was highly regarded. Outside of rugby league, another family member, Tom, was a wonderful Queensland and Test batsman who also bowled off spin. We recently named Tom in our greatest pre-1975 Queensland cricket side.
Healy
Sport: Cricket
The legend of the Healy sporting family lives on through Alyssa Healy who is an absolute gun player in the Australian women’s team. Like her uncle Ian, Alyssa is both a wicketkeeper and batter who excels in both disciplines. Uncle Ian was, of course, the wicket keeper of the century prior to his retirement, so good was he standing up to the stumps to the great Shane Warne. Ian’s brother, Ken, also had the distinction of playing a Sheffield Shield match for Queensland and who is an elite club coach, while Ian’s son was also an elite junior player.
Greg Healy is also a first grade player.
Kefu
Sport: Rugby
One of rugby’s most famous Queensland sporting families is the Kefu crew. The most decorated of the boys is Toutai, a World Cup winning hero backrow powerhouse who was so skilled, he could play inside centre with ease. His younger brother Steve was leaner, specialist centre who played for Queensland while young Mafileo Kefu was also a fine provincial player. They were sons Tongan Rugby star Fatai Kefu.
Campbell
Sport: Swimming
The Australian Dolphins currently have two sets of sisters – the Campbells and McKeown girls (the families are not related) – proudly representing their country. The Campbell girls are the best of the best, elite freestyle sprinters who have the best in the world peering over their shoulder when they share the same starting blocks with them. But the McKeown girls have fast generated their own legacy, with Kaylee joining older sister Taylor on the Dolphins team.
Fasala
Sports: Swimming, water polo)
Greg Fasala was a member of the famous Mean Machine, 4×100m freestyle relay team that won a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. And now his daughter, Tenealle, is an Olympian and a fixture in the Australian water polo side.
McDermott
Sport: Cricket
Billy “The Kid” McDermott burst onto the scene in the summer of 1984-85 to take on the West Indies at the height of their powers. McDermott went on to take 291 Test wickets for Australia and is one of our finest fast bowlers. But his sons, Alistair, Zak and Ben, were grand players in their own right. Alistair won a Sheffield Shield for Queensland, Ben is one of the superstars of the BBL who has been a T20 international and Zak is a talented pace bowler.
Bohl
Sport: swimming
Rio Olympic Games selection Georgia Bohl followed in the footsteps of her father when she represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Years earlier, at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the son of a policeman called Michael Bohl plunged into the water swimming for Australia in his home state. Michael remains an Australian coaching great, and has claimed to be the most successful, active sporting coach in Australia.
Green
Sport: Rugby league
Few families can beat the golden touch the Green family have on rugby league grand final day. The story starts back in the 1970s when inspiring Wests Panthers front rower Bob Green led his team to a BRL premiership. Fast forward two decades and Bob’s son, Craig, was again playing for Wests in their grand final win over Easts. And then in 2019 Craig’s daughter Lily won the women’s QRL club premiership, helping Wests upset Burleigh Heads on grand final day. That side was coached by Craig. It was why the Green family can comfortably claim to be one of Queensland’s most famous sporting families.
Archer
Sport: Cricket
If you picked Queensland’s greatest ever Sheffield Shield side, then Ron Archer’s name would be very, very high up on the short list of contenders. A brilliant all-rounder, Ron was arguably headed for Australian captaincy until injury curtailed his career. Ron’s brother, Ken, also played Test cricket as a specialist batsmen. Between the boys they played a total of 24 Tests – an enormous feat for a couple of lads from Brisbane’s inner eastern suburbs.
Kerle
Sport: Basketball
Queensland rugby league has Wayne Bennett, Reds rugby had Bob Templeton and John Connolly, and basketball had Brian Kerle. Kerle, a giant of a man, is a legend of Queensland sport, having led basketball out of the wilderness in the 1980s and into the spotlight in that decade and beyond. An Olympian, Kerle become a four-time championship-winning coach in the National Basketball League. He then watched his son, a shooting guard, produce a 381-game, 16-season NBL career
Currie
Sport: Rugby league
Like uncle, like nephew, Allan and Tony Currie hold a special place in Queensland Rugby League history, having both won a BRL Rothman’s Medal. Allan played with Easts in the 1970s where he was a premiership winning lock, while Tony (Wests, Redcliffe, Canterbury, Broncos) was a backline superstar who played for Queensland and Australia as either a centre, winger or fullback.
Gynther
Sport: Water polo
Australian water polo great Kate Gynther is a local legend who has been a Brisbane Barras stalwart forever and a day. Indeed earlier this year the triple Olympian and two-time Olympic bronze medallist came out of retirement to play in the Water Polo Queensland Premier League – while Drew and Scott Gynther played for the men’s Barras. Kate’s stepsisters are Rebecca Rippon and Melissa Rippon, both of whom have played for the Australian women’s national water polo team.
Tuqiri
Sports: Rugby league, rugby union
Fijian born, the Tuqiri family is renowned in rugby – and rugby league. It all started with three brothers, Tukula, Lote and Elia moving from tropical Fiji to Brisbane. Lote senior was a Fijian Test prop and one of the hardmen of club rugby, Tukula a fiery winger and Elia a centre. They initially played with QUT, but are better known at the GPS club. Tukula’s son, Lote junior, went on to become a premiership winner with the Broncos and South Sydney, a Wallaby and State of Origin star. Elia’s son, Elia junior, has been a coaching stalwart at the Souths rugby club but will return to his original club, GPS, to coach in 2020 while Emosi Tuqiri is one of the most promising young forwards in rugby. And Lote junior’s son, Samson, was an Australian schoolboys rugby representative winger during September.
Cherry
Sport: Rugby league
The modern generation of league followers will be interested to know the Cherry family’s part in the life of State of Origin series winning captain, Daly Cherry-Evans. You see on his mum Kellie’s side of the family were the Cherry brothers – Mark and Steve, Cam – who travelled from Roma to play for the famous Redcliffe club. Steve, a centre-backrower, was the best of the boys who played representative football, but they could all play and are highly regarded at Redcliffe.
Brittain
Sport: Australian football
In the same breathe you mention the Australian football brothers, the Dickfos’ boys as we did earlier, you have to mention the Britain’s. The brothers Wayne, Michael and Craig were great campaigners for Windsor-Zillmere before Wayne and Craig branched out into coaching. They were great enhancement to a golden era of QAFL.
Powell
Sport: Rowing, swimming, water polo)
The Powell family are sporting family quiet achievers, but deserve recognition. Richard Powell was an Australian rower while daughter Georgia Powell represented Australia at the 2019 world junior swimming championships. Her sister Pheobe has been a valuable member of the both the Barracudas and All Hallows’ School water polo communities.
Morris
Sport: Rugby league
Long before the Walters and Langer boys came along, there were the Morris brothers, Des and Rod from Ipswich. Des, a long serving state selector, is arguably the finest Queensland footballer never to play for Australia. His brother Rod was a Kangaroo, playing prop for the Easts Tigers, Balmain Tigers, NSW, Qld and Australia.
Nightingale
Sport: Rugby
The BRL may have had the Morris’ boys but Brisbane club rugby had the Nightingale duo, Shane and Mark. Raw-boned combatants, they are entrenched in Brothers folklore for their deeds through the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Both backfive forwards, they were tough, unrelenting and suited the brutal nature of club rugby in that era.
Lewis
Sport: Rugby league
Cameron Smith may be rugby league’s greatest player, but there is only one King – King Wally Lewis, a rugby league immortal and Queensland State of Origin legend. But Lewis also had a brother, halfback Scott, who was no mug as a player in the BRL. It is Scott’s son, Lachlan, who now plays in the NRL with Canterbury while Wally’s daughter, Jamie-Lee, was an outstanding sportswoman whose career was frustratingly held back by a knee injury.
Millman
Sports: Tennis, football
The Millman family is renowned in football and tennis circles. John, of course, is everyone’s favourite Aussie battler, a tennis trier who gives hope to every young tennis player in the country with his courage and effort. Memories of his Davis Cup performances and win over the great Roger Federer will live in the memory long after his retirement which will come post the 2024 Australian Open. But less known by the wider community is that his grandmother, Hazel, was a stalwart of the Eastern Suburbs FC. And in her honour, the tennis courts which sit adjacent to the football ground are named in her honour. “She (Millman’s grandmother Hazel) did a lot of work for the Easts soccer club and in the community and back then those courts were owned by the football club,’’ John Millman once explained.
Scott-Young
Sport: Rugby
Angus Scott-Young is a 61-match veteran for the Queensland Reds, but his father is by far the more famous of the pair. Sam, also a back rower, was one of Queensland rugby’s finest, a brave back rower who you’d like in your side if you wanted someone to play for your life. He had the distinction of starring for the Wallabies in a rare win over New Zealand on home soil in 1990.
Gee
Sport: Rugby league
Ipswich has the Walters, Langers and Morris’ boys, and Beaudesert the Gee lads. Andrew is the most famous, being a Queensland, Test and Brisbane Broncos premiership front rower. But all the boys were good footballers, including Keith who played for Brothers in the BRL, 12 games for the Broncos and a game for Queensland residents. Mark was also a skilful inside back for the Seagulls in the NRL.
Kasprowicz
Sports: Cricket, rugby
Michael, Simon and Adam were outstanding rugby players with Brisbane State High School, with Simon progressing to play Super Rugby with the NSW Waratahs. Yet the best known of the boys is older brother Michael who, after representing the Australian schoolboys rugby side, was chosen while still in year 12 as a Queensland Sheffield Shield cricket fast bowler. Michael, one of the nicest people you would ever meet, went on to take 441 Shield wickets for Queensland – and play in 38 Tests for Australia. His son, Simon, is a Nudgee College First XV lock and First XI opening bowler.
Harris
Sport: Cricket
Grace Harris as a cricket pin-up, arguably the biggest hitter in women’s cricket who can turn a match in the twinkling of an eye. But the Western Suburbs junior also has a high achieving sister, Laura, who has etched out an outstanding career, includingh with the Brisbane Heat in the WBBL.
Honan
Sports: Rugby union, rugby league
Bob and Barry Honan are two of Queensland’s finest sporting brothers who both played for the Wallabies. Older brother Bob was a trailblazer, playing for the Wallabies before switching codes to play rugby league with the famous South Sydney Club – a move which also led to his selection as a Kangaroo. Barry was a beautiful rugby player who could play anywhere from fullback to five-eight and later become a respected schoolboy coach.
Martyn
Sport: Australian football
Like father, like son. Windsor-Zillmere Eagles great Andrew Martyn was a tremendous key position player in the QAFL in the late 1980s and early 1990s who represented Queensland. Now he is eagerly watching the progress of his son, Will, who has played a handful of matches for Richmond.
Codey
David Codey was a mighty warrior for the Wallabies and Queensland, an inspiring back rower who was as good as any of his era in the 1980s. But the named has lived on courtesy of his daughter, Annabelle Codey, a Tigers junior who has covered herself in glory. Like dad, she has been a commanding forward, playing for Australia and the Queensland Reds in the Super W competition,
The Fletcher family
Brisbane Lions ace rookie Jasper Fletcher follows in the footsteps of his father, Adrian. A BSHS alumni and Sherwood Magpies junior, Jasper was the Lions pick No. 12 at the 2022 NAB AFL draft after earning a place through his academy performances.
Hart and Hagar
Sport: Hockey
Mark Hagar is a former Australian hockey captain who led the Hockeyroos to an Olympic Games bronze medal and his wife is Michelle Hager, a two-time Olympian who won the Hockeyroos’ first Olympic gold medal in 1988. Now his nephew, Liam Hart, is keeping the hockey tradition alive. Hart, from the Pine Rivers St Andrews club, is an under Australian 21 selection who is doing all the right things as he makes his way through the ranks.
Barsby
Sport: Cricket
Trevor Barsby is one of Queensland cricket’s legends, having scored first innings centuries in the first two Sheffield Shield wins by the Bulls in 1994-95 and 1996-97. Also a Queensland hockey representative, Barsby now watches his their children shine in the sport. Barsby’s daughter Georgia is a WBBL player while Corey played two List A games for Queensland.
Prestwidge
Sport: Cricket
Like Trevor Barsby, see above, Scott Prestwidge is now enjoying seeing his children play. Sons Will and Jack remain thrilling pace bowling prospects, with both having played BBL, while daughter Jemma is also a Heat WBBL bowler and elite fielder.
Broad
Sport: Cricket)
Wayne Broad helped Queensland to its first ever major trophy in the early 1980s when the state side claimed a historic one-day win at the Gabba. A talented all-rounder from the Wynnum-Manly, Broad then had the joy of watching his son Ryan apply himself with distinction for the Bulls as a steady opening batsman.
Harris
Sport: Hockey, rugby
At one stage Easts Hockey had three sisters, Ruby, Stella and Lola, playing in their ranks. They are the daughters of former outstanding Wests rugby backrower Scott Harris, with oldest daughter Ruby setting the highest of benchmarks for her siblings after breaking into the Brisbane Blaze line-up and earning Australian under 21 squad selection. The younger sisters were also junior representative players.
Trimble
Sport: Cricket
Two of Queensland’s most famous father-son associations is Sam and Glenn Trimble. If Des Morris (rugby league, see earlier mention above) is Queensland’s best league player never to play for Australia, then Sam Trimble is Queensland’s finest cricketer never to don the baggy green cap. Old-timers love Sam Trimble. From the northern NSW hamlet of Bex Hill, Trimble became a Queensland cricketing treasure through his opening batting deeds. His son Glenn was also a mighty player and although he did not have the longevity of his father in the sport, he stayed long enough to play limited overs cricket for his country.
Knowles and Dwyer
Sport: Hockey
It would be an interesting conversation around holiday whenever the Knowles family is joined by the Dwyers. Both Olympians, Mark Knowles (triple Olympian) and Jamie Dwyer (four Olympics) are brothers-in-law after Mark married Dwyer’s sister Kelly. All this after being long-time Australian Hockey teammates – from the same home town of Rockhampton. Dwyer’s cousin is Matt Gohdes who also played for Australia. Matt’s wife Jill is a former Hockeyroo.
Rendell
Sport: Hockey
Three generations of Rendells have played Division 1 hockey for Norths, with three family members currently in the Eagles’ top-grade men’s side. Over the past 25 years, eight Rendells have played Division 1 for Norths men, with four Rendells having played first-grade for Norths women.
Knapp
Sport: Rugby
The Knapp family is a household name in Brisbane rugby, with Paddy rising to claim a Wallaby jersey bench position in 1961 against Fiji. All his brothers played, as did his nephew, Christiaan, who represented Queensland and was a first grade premiership winner with the GPS club in 1996. This is Jude Knapp was an outstanding AIC First XV winger with Marist College Ashgrove.
Brutons
Sport: basketball
The Bruton name is a household one within Queensland sport. In the 1980s basketball was bigger than Ben-Hur, the hottest sporting ticket in town outside of when State of Origin league tickets went on sale. And one of the greats from that era was an US import, Cal Bruton, who won an NBL championship with the Brisbane Bullets in 1985 and was a two-time member of the All-NBL First Team. His son, CJ, then carved out his own successful career in Australia and the US.
Jodie Kenny
Sport: hockey
No prizes for guessing what is discussed around the dinner table when retired Australian women’s hockey great Jodie Kenny and her husband Shane sit down to eat. Jodie is an Australian sporting icon and while Shane played for Queensland in the Australian Hockey League for nine seasons and is currently in the Brisbane Blaze team for Hockey One national league. Jodie’s brother Ian Schulz has played in the Australian Hockey League and won the Brisbane Hockey League Best & Fairest Medal.
Napa
Sport: rugby league
Father and son, Stan and Dylan Napa, are household names in rugby league. In 1980 Stan helped the famous Norths Devils to an upset win over Souths n the BRL. Fast forward four decades and son Dylan, a St Patrick’s College old boy, is a powerhouse NRL front rower who has represented Queensland.
Pembroke
Sport: hockey
Easts brothers Matthew and Hugh Pembroke have both won Brisbane Hockey League premierships and represented Queensland in the Australia Hockey League. Hugh was captain of the Brisbane Blaze in the Hockey One national league. Matthew’s wife Jessica has played almost 150 Division 1 games for Easts.
Edwards
Sport: Australian football
Former Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears player Brad Edwards is a Morningside legend who captained the side from 1993 to 1996 – winning premierships in 1991, 1993 and 1994. He then had the joy of watching his son, Luke, shine for the Panthers.
McCarthy
Sport: rugby league
Last onto the list, and a somewhat controversial inclusion, is the McCarthy family. Why controversial? Because none live in Queensland and all support NSW in Origin night. But the family contributed enough to Queensland sporting life to warrant recognition. Father Bob is a South Sydney legend but in 1980 was appointed coach at Brisbane Souths, taking the Magpies to the 1981 premiership.
He later coached Combined Brisbane to a famous midweek Cup win over the Roosters (1984) and lived in Queensland while coaching the Gold Coast Giants in the NRL. Oldest son Darren attended school at Marist College Ashgrove, playing for the Queensland schoolboys and winning an Australian schoolboys jumper. His little brother Troy played first grade with the GPS club where he was the competition’s leading points scorer and represented the Queensland under 21s, and later coached powerhouse Gold Coast club Burleigh Bears.
The Parcells
Sport: rugby league
The Parcell name is revered in Ipswich. Gary’s father, Perc played seven times for Queensland in the 1920s, Gary for Queensland and Australia and his son, Steve, a Queensland Residents representative. Steve’s son, Matt, played in the NRL for Broncos and Manly.
Fitzpatrick
Sport: hockey
The Tweed family has had several Australian hockey players including current Hockeyroo Madison and former Australian player Savannah, who is a premiership winner with Kedron-Wavell in Brisbane. Madison, Savannah and their younger sister Kendra represent Brisbane Blaze, and their brother Callum plays Division 1 for Valley.
Wayne Hammond
Sport: Hockey
An absolute legend, the veteran of 88 internationals represented Australia at the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, the later when Australia claimed a cherished silver medal. His daughter Leanne represented the national under 18s and son Steven the Queensland reserves.
Levi
Sport: Rugby Union
Maddison and Teagan Levi are taking the rugby sevens world by storm. At 20, Maddison was named Rookie of the Year for the 2021-22 Series after scoring 24 tries in 34 sevens matches. Teagan started out watching her sister debut for Australia on TV, but soon made her own moves as was selected for the green and gold in 2021.
Davies
Sport: AFLW
The Davies sisters are one of many family legacies in the AFL/AFLW. Their father played Union in Wales before moving to Australia, and the Gold Coast quickly became their stomping ground. Giselle was the first to join AFL ranks as a SUNS product, before Fleur was drafted to GWS the year following. In 2023, Darcie tasted the same success when she ran on field for round 1 of the AFLW season. The sisters have one other coming through the ranks, Jorja, who currently plays for the Southport Sharks QAFL Seniors.
Hancock
Sport: SLS (surf lifesaving)
Courtney’s 16-year-long ironwomen career deserves an applause on its own. The ironwoman champion, Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year nominee and multi-title holder went from dreaming about her idols to matching their records, but has remained humble to this day. She holds three Ironwoman titles (2010/11, 2012/13 and 2013/14) and five Australian titles. Courtney’s younger sister Bonnie is up there too. She is a world record-breaker, having circumnavigated by paddle around Australia over 254 days, and recently competed in the 150km-long Red Bull Defiance.
Stower
Sport: Netball
Bec Stower was a member of the AIS at just 17 years old. She represented Queensland in the U17, U19 and U21 age groups and was named in the Australian U19 squad. Following her AIS stint, Stower continued playing elite level until giving birth to her fourth child. While she can now add ‘state coach’ to her resume, having coaching the Queensland U17 side in 2022, Stower’s daughter Mia is continuing the playing legacy. The mother-daughter duo have strong ties to the Toowoomba region. Bec began her coaching journey with the Darling Downs Panthers before moving south, and while Mia represents the Brisbane North region at Sapphire Series and Firebirds at SSN, she is often spotted back at the range playing basketball.
Jencke/ Gardner
Sport: Netball
A stalwart of Queensland Netball, Roselee Jencke has been on the scene since the early 1980s. She represented Australia from 1985-1992 with a total 43 test caps. While Jencke was born in Melbourne, she has been engaged with Netball Queensland since beginning her coaching career in 2009 for the Firebirds, including three national league premierships (2011, 2015 and 2016, ANZ Championship). She is now in the position of Head of Pathways for Netball Queensland, helping to raise the next generation of Fireirds. Jenke’s daughter, Macy Gardner, played a pivotal role in her HART Sapphire Series team (North Brisbane Cougars) before taking on a full time contract with the Firebirds in 2023.
Arbuthnot
Sport: Pole Vault
Howard Arbuthnot was a well-known figure in Queensland and Australian athletics, competing in pole vault. After retiring from competition, Arbuthnot took a back seat role and now coaches the next generation including his son Alex and daughter Jade. The sibling duo have both made it through the school sport and QA pathways, each medalling at the school sport national championships.
Burns
Sport: Netball, basketball, SLS
Sheryl Burns represented New Zealand in netball, basketball and surf life saving before retiring from professional sport. She was inducted into the Taranaki Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Hall of Fame in 2016. Her eldest daughter Rylee has been part of the Netball Queensland and Netball Australia pathways for many years and was recently named in the Firebirds Futures Academy for 2024 onwards. The youngest Burns sisters, twins Rio and Marley, are well-involved in the Netball Queensland pathways and are on track to follow their family legacy.
Mackay
Bella
Sport: Rugby league/Aussie rules
The Bella’s would be the first name that springs to mind for many when discussing influential Mackay sporting families.
The family is renowned for their rugby league exploits, which originated with Queensland Origin star Martin Bella. His brothers Robert and Anthony Bella also played first grade for the South Queensland Crushers.
Martin’s son Ross Bella notched his 50th game for the Mackay Cutters this season and is the club’s captain.
Today, the women also have a significant influence on the Bella sporting dynasty, with Lauren Bella a standout ruck for Gold Coast in the AFLW. Lauren has been a strong advocate for women’s sport in the region, and was also one of the inaugural ambassadors for the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Martin’s niece Emily Bella has established herself as one of Sarina’s brightest rugby league talents and has played an abundance of representative football, also winning female representative player of the year at this year’s RLMD awards. Her father Dave (Martin’s cousin) played in Sarina’s 2001 A-grade premierships and is still heavily involved with the club.
Irelandes
Sport: Rugby League
The Irelandes have been a household name in Mackay’s rugby league space, and the name was prevalent as ever this season.
The renowned Richie Irelandes maintained his influence this year, coaching a star studded GH United to the men’s title at the recent Mackay Indigenous Carnival.
Richie’s son Tom has previously played for the Mackay Cutters and is now an integral member of the Brothers A-grade side that reached the grand final this season. Tom also won the male representative player of the year at the RLMD awards.
Keegan is a star of the women’s competition where she plays as a fullback for Brothers. She scored a try in this season’s A-grade grand final en route to the premiership.
Kimber
Sport: Aussie rules/rugby league
The Kimber family name is one that has emerged onto the Mackay sporting scene more recently. The eldest of her siblings, Kaylee Kimber was thrust onto the AFLW stage when she made her debut for the Gold Coast Suns in last year’s season seven.
Unfortunately the 20-year-old hasn’t been in action this season, placed on the Suns’ inactive list after sustaining a foot injury. Kaylee was also a talented netballer in her day.
Kaylee’s younger sister Jen is a cross-code star in the making. Local coaches in Moranbah rave about her Aussie rules ability, saying she’s one of the most talented players they’ve come across. She’s also had success on the rugby league field, representing the Moranbah senior women’s side and even popping up to score a try in the grand final. She’s also involved in the Cutters underage system.
Their brother Blake Kimber is also a talented junior Aussie rules player, with coaches predicting he would be one of Moranbah State High School’s best heading into the AFLQ Schools Cup.
Rule
Sport: Running
Exceptional middle to long distance running brothers Toby and Oliver have won a slew of cross country and track medals over the years, with the pair’s recent lists of achievements far too long to name.
The pair shone at the North Queensland Athletics Championships held in Mackay in September, with Toby taking out the mile and 3000m, while Oliver also won the 3000m in his age group and the 10,000m, among the pair’s other medals.
Their father Justin is also a renowned Mackay runner who notably won gold in the 5000m for his age group at last year’s Oceania Athletics Championships, and their mother Belinda is involved in local coaching.
Baker
Sport: Rugby league
Michael Baker’s set to return to the post of A-grade coach at Wests in 2024, having previously coached the club’s A-grade side between 2014 and 2016. As a Wests player, he previously notched 224 A-grade appearances over 17 seasons, and is also on the board of the Leagues club.
Michael’s sons Nick and Dallas are also heavily involved with Wests. Nick has played over 100 A-grade games, and Dallas was the premiership captain of the reserve-grade side this season.
Kohler
Sport: Cricket
Hailing from Norths Cricket Club, the Kohler brothers Lane and Mason have continued their strong representative form this season with the Mackay-Whitsunday Cyclones, with both earning selection into the North Queensland team.
Lane has struck over 500 runs this season, while he and Mason have both represented Australia Country.
Their father Wayne has previously coached Norths and has multiple first grade premierships to his name, as well as 273 matches, 3600 runs and 457 wickets.
Doolan
Sport: Cricket
Doolan is a household name of Mackay Cricket with deep ties to the Pioneer Valley Cricket Club with both Carmel and Terry Doolan already holding life membership.
Both Matt and Peter Doolan remain heavily involved at the club with several Doolans also making up the playing ranks.
Mitch Doolan has left the nest for Brisbane where he currently plays premier cricket in Brisbane for the Northern Suburbs Cricket Club.
Bobongie
Sport: Rugby league/basketball
The Bobongie family is synonymous with sports success in Mackay, the renowned Jardine served as Cutters captain sporadically over 15 years in what was a tremendous rugby league career, and also recently coached Carltons Red Devils.
The Bobongie family name can now be found in a variety of Mackay sports, with Monique the standout.
At 13 years of age, she was the first Mackay basketball player to reach the National Performance Program. Now 16, Monique was recently crowned Basketball Queensland’s female player of the year. It capped off an incredible season that saw her represent Australia at the FIBA U16 Asia Championships and the U17 Women’s World Cup.
The late Curtis Bobongie was a talented rugby league and touch player.
His daughter Bianca was once Australia’s under-21 captain.
Dyer
Sport: Cricket
Another cricketing family, a triumvirate of Dyers can often be found in first-grade scorecards around Mackay.
Laren, Darryn and Wes once all played in the Norths firsts together, but Wes - who’s the youngest of the three - recently defected to Magpies.
A club champion of Norths, Darryn represented the Mackay-Whitsunday Cyclones this season, while Wes performed strongly for the development team, striking 68 and taking 5-41 against the Far North side.
Freeman
Sport: Athletics
Arguably Mackay’s greatest ever athlete, Cathy Freeman’s feats inspired a generation of Australians.
Her influence is recognised locally at Slade Point’s Cathy Freeman Park.
Cathy’s late brother Norman was a talented young athlete, excelling in rugby league.
Along with his sister, Norman’s athletic ability was renowned around Mackay.
Manzelmann
Sport: Horse racing/rugby league
Mackay’s greatest horse trainer/owner, John Manzelmann holds 1178 career wins since 1997 and more than $14m in prize money.
His dad, John ‘Ginger’ Manzelmann is a well-known former harness racing trainer.
Emma Manzelmann has made her name in the rugby league space, representing the Knights and now Cowboys since her 2021 NRLW debut. She also has two Origin appearances under her belt.
The Manzelmann name can be found across several of the region’s different sporting clubs and codes.
Wyer/Ferrier
Sport: Netball
The Wyer family founded the Brothers Netball Club in 1993 and shows no signs of slowing down after almost three decades.
Matriarch Bette Wyer has earned several accolades over the years for her work volunteering and working behind the scenes to keep the courts filled with young players.
She received a Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Award in 2015, a Netball Queensland gong the same year and various club and code awards and recognition.
Terry Wyer was also there from the beginning, coaching and umpiring developing players and umpires for many years, all the way from juniors to Premier League.
Netball runs in the family genes with daughter Melissa Ferrier continuing in her mother’s line of sporting work and leading the Brothers Netball Club across all age groups.
Melissa’s sisters Raelene Woods and Charmaine Sutherland were also involved heavily in the club in playing, coaching, umpiring and executive capacities. Charmaine still coaches & holds committee roles as does her daughter Mary-Kat.
Melissa opened her own clinic, Sports Health and Massage, and has become the go-to professional masseuse for visiting professional sporting teams including the NRL and cricket.
Her daughters Amba and Paige have played pivotal roles in developing younger players through coaching the early age groups, and played in the senior women’s competition themselves. Paige has since moved to Townsville, but her, Melissa, Amba, and fiancé Bridgette all got to play together before she did.
Galea
Sport: Athletics
Three generations of Galea’s can often be found competing for Mackay Athletics Club.
Anthony Galea still has a crack at 83 years of age, specialising in the throwing events, as does son Kevin and grandson James.
At the 2023 Mackay Athletics Club awards, Kevin and his wife Kym, who serves as the club’s secretary, were both awarded life membership.
Anthony and Kevin were both crowned age champions in their respective categories, while James won sportsperson of the year.
James and Kym are also avid volunteers in the officiating space, and Olympic-hopeful James is also excelling in the discus space, having cleaned up at the recent North Queensland championships while previously competing in the Oceania Championships.
Barba
Sport: Rugby league
Ben Barba is poised to make his Mackay rugby league return in 2024, having put pen to paper with Sarina.
At his peak, Barba became just the second-ever player to win a Dally M medal and Man of Steel award in England’s Super League.
Many believe his brother Aaron was just as talented and destined to reach the very top of rugby league had he so desired.
Their youngest brother Marmin was contracted with the Gold Coast Titans and won an NRL State Championship with the Ipswich Jets. He’s signed on to return to the RLMD Souths this season.
The Barba brothers follow a footballing history that dates back to their grandfather Bevan Barba.
Ben demonstrated his cross-code prowess when an NRL ban was handed down in 2019, playing a season of soccer locally with the Mackay Rangers and two seasons of AFL with the Eastern Swans.
In his second season for the Swans he kicked 63 goals to lead the competition’s goal kicking.
Jackson
Sport: Cricket
The Jackson family is lauded as one of the most influential at Walkerston Cricket Club, with their connection to Scrubby running deep.
The club’s nets are named after stalwart Barry Jackson, whose career began with the club in the U12s in 1964. Following an illustrious playing career, Barry would various sides within the club between 1984 and 2000.
His legacy was first continued by son’s Clint and Luke. It’s estimated Clint has scored somewhere between 20 and 30 first-grade tons, and he was named the club’s player of the year on six occasions and Mackay’s player of the year twice.
Luke is currently the club’s A-grade coach and has also scored an abundance of centuries. He spent two seasons playing in Ireland and represented Australia’s over-40s at the World Cup earlier this year.
Third generation talent Riley Jackson is playing first grade with Walkerston this season and also represented the Mackay-Whitsunday Cyclones development side.
Zurvas
Sport: Cricket
The Zurvas name is synonymous with Magpies cricket today.
Brad Zurvas is the club’s president and has previously won Magpie of the Year award for his tireless dedication and commitment.
Brad’s son Ben is playing first grade with Magpies this season and also represented the open-age Cyclones side, and he’s previously figured for Queensland Country in the Under-19 National Championships.
Liam Zurvas has also played first grade for the club this season while also representing the Mackay-Whitsunday U18s and U25s.
Darling Downs
Smith/Robertson
Hockey
It’s almost impossible to talk about Toowoomba Hockey and not mention the Smith name.
He officially ‘retired’ at the end of 2020 after more than 30 years volunteering, including a lengthy stint as president, but Mick Smith is still a regular at Clyde Park volunteering his time and cheering on his grandchildren.
A rugby league man in his past life, Mick joined the hockey community when his daughters Karen and Natsha took up the sport.
Karen went on to play 271 Tests for Australia and is a regular herself nowadays at Clyde Park as a player and coach.
Her children Kallan and Mali are following in the footsteps of their Hockeyroo mum having played for Toowoomba and the Darling Downs at the representative level.
Ciesiolka/Ferguson
Rugby league, union, touch football
Shenae Ciesiolka’s first foray into rugby league was as an Oakey Bears junior.
Rugby league opportunities were few and far between for young women when Shenae was growing so she was forced to tread a different path.
Shenae went on to represent Australia in touch football and rugby sevens before returning to rugby league when the opportunity presented itself.
Since her ‘return’ Shenae has starred for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and the Australian Jillaroos.
Shenae was also one of four big name NRLW stars to sign with the newly formed Western Clydesdales ahead of their 2024 BMD Premiership debut and has been a standout in the inaugural Toowoomba Touch Elite competition.
Jada Ferguson’s football journey echoes that of her older cousin.
She made her mark as a representative touch football and rugby sevens player before joining the Brisbane Broncos and starring in the junior Queensland rugby league programs.
Denning
Triathlon
Traditionally children follow in the footsteps of their parents – trying their hand at the sports they watch mum and dad play.
In the case of the Denning family however it is the children who have inspired their dad.
Sisters Abby, Ellie and Chloe caught the triathlon bug after first trying duathlons in Dalby.
The trio are rising stars on the regional, state and national scene and dad Peter enjoys the sport as well.
After regularly joining his girls for training rides, Peter decided to give competition a go and while he doesn’t race as often he still loves the sport.
Gordon
Athletics
The shoe bill must be huge in the Gordon household with brothers Jai and Taj ranking among the fastest siblings in the Darling Downs region.
Older brother Jai is the current Australian U20 men’s sprint champion and a regular in the Australian track and field programs.
Taj recently won 110m hurdles and 4x 100m relay gold at the 2023 Qld School Sport Track and Field Championships and finished second in the 110m hurdles at the GPS Championships.
The pair regularly train together and are stars on the rise.
Sears
Horse racing
In 2019 Maddy Sears quit her office job to join her dad Tony, one of Toowoomba and Queensland’s most prominent horse trainers, in the family business.
The move paid instant dividends with the Sears combining for a number of major race wins locally and interstate.
In December last year the father-daughter pairing combined for arguably the biggest win of their partnership.
When their horse Yellow Brick found space on the Clifford Park home straight the Sears Racing team were convinced he was a ‘shoe-in’ and they celebrated accordingly.
Whooping and cheering as their runner flew home to win the inaugural $750,000 King of the Mountain slot race – Maddy, Tony and Leigh Sears tried their hand at the Aussie tradition – the ‘shoey’.
Cairns
Maher (cricket)
The cricketing landscape would not be what it is in FNQ without the Mahers.
Kevin is an icon of the sport in the state. The current Queensland Country Cricket Association president has had a long standing in the game in the Sunshine State.
His nephew, Jimmy Maher, played 26 One Day Internationals for Australia and was part of their 2003 World Cup-winning squad. He also played for Queensland for 15 years.
Srhoj (soccer)
Mareeba and the Srhojs go hand-in-hand with the family’s impact in football well known in the region and Australia.
Former A-League star Wayne Srhoj is perhaps the most widely known, but there’s plenty of products to come from the aptly named Srhoj Road.
Wayne’s cousin Alex serves as Football Queensland’s regional manager in the Far North and has had a long history playing and coaching in Far North Queensland. He was coach of Mareeba Bulls in 2014 when they claimed the FNQ treble.
Nasser (cricket)
It’s hard to find a name more synonymous with Tablelands cricket than Nasser. Paul, Brendan and cousins Alex, Isaac, Lewis (brothers) and William Nasser, as well as Rolly and Augie Thomas all come from the Nasser tree.
The Nasser name has been carried through grades and years of cricket for Atherton, with Alex playing first grade again this season.
Allen (rugby league)
Without the Allen family, there simply wouldn’t be a Kangaroos Rugby League Club.
Patriarch Don Allen established the club about 70 years ago, playing and coaching the club and winning a few finals before serving as its president.
Sons Brett, Gavin, Barry and Ray Allen have all donned the gold and blue as well.
Gavin – a legendary prop – took his talents to the top level, suiting up for the Brisbane Broncos, St George Dragons and representing the Maroons in the State of Origin in the early 90s.
Brett followed in his father’s footsteps to become the president of Kangaroos, with sons Jared Allen and Mitchell also playing for the club over the years.
Moore (rugby league)
It’s hard not to look through the Far North league history books and not stumble across one Moore or another.
The family has been a staple in shaping the competition into what it is today, largely thanks to the work of charismatic patriarch John Moore.
There’s Little John hasn’t accomplished league-wise for not just the Far North, but the state. He’s served as president of Brothers Rugby League, the chairman of Cairns Rugby League, the Northern District of Queensland Rugby League, Queensland Rugby League as well as a director of Australian Rugby League, and the chief executive of the Cairns Cyclones and Northern Pride.
As if he wasn’t busy enough as it is, John’s four sons Michael, Brett, Sean and Danny made things interesting around the house. All four played for Brothers, with Michael also getting a few Foley Shield appearances under his belt.
He also founded the Redlynch Razorback junior rugby league club, and is a judiciary official in Far North rugby league.
Slade (rugby league)
The Slades have been longstanding patrons of the Ivanhoes Knights, with numerous life members.
The late Bruce Slade has a long history at Ivanhoes across all roles – playing, coaching and volunteering – and was made a life member of the Knights in 1972.
His mother was a life member and his father, Darcy Slade, was president of the club and a life member, while his son, Noel Slade, is another Ivanhoes great who grew up with the club. The one-time Cowboys player is also the current president.
Leah Slade is a tireless volunteer who has worked across rugby league in FNQ, and there are many more Slades who have been involved at the Smithfield club over its history.
Fowler (soccer)
The Fowlers spent much of their childhood in Cairns, kicking countless footballs together and learning the basic fundamentals of the game at Trinity Beach.
They had a short stint at Saints before moving to Leichhardt, and it was at the White Rock club they made their club football home. They also had stints with Edge Hill United.
Mary, has become Australian royalty starring for both Matilda’s and Manchester City in the FA Women’s Super League. Her brother Caoimhin (Quivi) and sister Ciara have both trained with the Irish youth national team in the past, while Ciara signed for Adelaide United in 2019 before being selected for the Young Matildas.
Welsford (AFL)
Andrew Welsford’s glittering AFL Cairns career spans decades. In his prime one of the best wingmen in the competition, time has slowed the body – but not the mind – of this experienced campaigner. While his work off-the-field takes up most of his time these days, the goal sneak still occasionally dons the boots when player numbers are low.
Proving the apple never falls far from the tree, Welsford’s eldest son, Josh, has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the AFL Cairns competition in recent years.
Josh Welsford was a shining light for Manunda this season consistently creating opportunities for the Hawks’ forwards.
Evans (basketball & netball)
Jenny spent over a decade playing in the WNBL and was capped 48 times by the Australian Opals.
The Opals legend is the gift that keeps on giving to FNQ’s basketball landscape.
A noted advocate for women’s basketball, Evans has coached a number of squads and has been inducted into the Cairns Basketball Hall of Fame.
Evans’ prowess in the paint has influenced her daughters, Teyla and Summah Evans, and son, Rivar Evans, whom are brilliant basketballers in their own right.
Murgha (rugby league)
Murgha’s family are a force to be reckoned with. Richard was wreaking havoc on the field in the early 2000s for the Seahawks. The fullback was as comfortable as any as first receiver as well as a decisive kicker.
Hezron was a star with the Northern Pride and was recruited to the Cowboys. But both before and after that, Murgha made huge contributions on the field for the Seahawks, including in their 2017 premiership season.
Brian, the hardened backline leader has been a among the very best of the CDRL for the last decade. A reliable player whose versatility is unrivalled, this 2012 Gold Medalist is another golden apple from the Murgha tree.
Charles, A regular on Gold Medal tallies throughout the last decade, Murgha’s explosiveness has only become more potent with age. His ability to launch attacks out of nowhere became key to the Seahawks’ 2021 premiership campaign, while quicksilver winger Amaziah Murgha is only getting better.
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