Vicki Wilson Queensland netball finals: 75+ athletes in the spotlight this year
With Queensland and Australian representatives scattered throughout three divisions, we reveal the top players competing at this year’s Vicki Wilson Championships.
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Final preparations and trainings are underway for the elite school teams competing at this year’s Vicki Wilson Netball Championships.
Over 500 teams attended regional trials, but only 92 will descend on Nissan Arena for two days of high-stakes netball.
With Regional, Queensland and Australian representatives scattered throughout the three divisions, we reveal the 75+ players already under the spotlight.
Catch every moment on show court with KommunityTV, live streams starting from 8am on Friday.
Baylee Boyd
Siena Catholic College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12, 17-years-old
Comment: She is a centre court star who is ready for anything and never fails to make circle edge. Her speed and agility is next level exciting. Boyd’s feeds are impressive, with defensive skills to match any attacker she faces. She has been identified by netball Australia and is currently in the U19 Australian squad.
M’lea Michael
Siena Catholic College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11, 17-years-old
Comment: A dynamic attacker who can switch between wing attack and goal attack deepening
on her team’s needs. Michael is athletic down the court, offering a safe pass and delivering quick
feeds to the post. She brings a calmness in the attach end which helps her team in the hard-fought
games.
Tahlia Penn
Siena Catholic College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12, 17-years-old
Comment: A versatile player who can switch from goal defence to centre with ease depending on
what the team needs from her. Penn has strong defensive skills and smart attacking decisions. She
is our co-captain who constantly works hard and wants what is best for her team by helping
motivate her teammates through her leadership skills.
Katrina Jione
Mountain Creek State High School
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: 14-years-old
Comment: Kat is a representative player. She is also currently a Training Partner for the QRSS U15 Netball Team. Kat has enjoyed her time within the Qld squad in 2023 and as a bottom age player she aspires to go one better in 2024 and make the Qld team for Nationals. Kat is a force to be reckoned with in the defence circle, and makes it a tough ask for any opposition to get past her.
Maliah Asquith
Mountain Creek State High School
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: 14-years-old
Comment: Maliah is a representative player. An aspiring young defender who’s style of play has caught the eye of many including international superstar defender Karla Pretorius. A dynamic player who continually improves every time she steps out on court. A team player, who will always give 110%.
Carys Leota
St Columban’s College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Is a great defensive player, cool and calm under pressure, wonderful leadership among the team. Rep team for Caboolture
Kate Jeffrey
St Columban’s College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Has very similar traits to Carys and is also adaptable to any position throughout the court. Rep for Caboolture and Sunshine Coast Associations.
Cooper Wilson
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 10
Comment: Cooper is an exciting sporting talent and excels in Basketball as well as enjoying the opportunity to play netball, Aussie rules, rugby and football. Cooper will be heading to Nationals for Basketball later in the term. He is very agile, strong in the air and has great shooting potential.
Nathan Kennedy
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Nathan is new to netball but loves the opportunity to read the play and take intercepts, he also plays Basketball and Aussie rules for Flinders.
Kirra Tappenden
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: Kirra Tappenden is reaching lofty heights in her early netball career, with a sensational season so far in 2023. Her recent opportunities include competing as part of the victorious under 17 Queensland state team in the National Netball Championships in Darwin in April. She was also invited to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) camp with the Australian U17 squad, and named a shadow for the Australian Fast5 Youth team. Kirra had a sensational week at the recent QISSN carnival in the holidays, being named as the Flinders MVP as well as being selected in the All-Stars team.
“Tappenden is a great young gun shooter who has an eye for the hoop at all times. She is
definitely one to keep an eye out as she gets older and with experience gained in the
Queensland under 17 squad.”
Yasmin Mayall
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Yasmin is the Flinders First Netball Captain and was recently selected in the QISSN All-Stars team. She is also part of the Queensland 19 Under team and plays with the ACU Brisbane North Cougars.
“Mayall is the smiling assassin in the circle. She is a tall circle defender who has the ability to
play against any type of shooter. Her vertical leap, fast footwork as well as ability to read the
play allows her to be unstoppable against a tall holding shooter, a small WA or creative GA.
This makes Mayall extremely versatile with being able to play back at GK, GD and WD.
Mayall is a fantastic team player and you will always be able to hear her cheering on her
teammates on and off the court.”
Abby Miller
The Rockhampton Grammar School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: Miller is in year 11 at The Rockhampton Grammar School and is one of the school’s key shooters. She has worked hard this year on and off the court which is showing on the court.
Miller has played for the under-16s Rockhampton Rep team as well as been selected in the Rockhampton & Capricorn District school team. She has also just been selected in the under-16s Capricornia Claws team which will compete later In the year.
Paige Jones
The Rockhampton Grammar School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: Jones is in year 11 at the Rockhampton Grammar School and is another up and coming player who is a defensive player that joined our Magic team this year. Jones also represented Rockhampton and Capricorn in the school district competition this year, and also made the Capricorn Claws under-16s team.
Ainsley Carey
St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: 17
Comment: The team captain, Carey is a dynamic mid-court player who leads by example.
She was a standout for Capricornia at this year’s Queensland School Sport state championships. A product of the Mackay Magpies Netball Club, she also earned selection in the Australian Indigenous team.
Rebecca Symons
St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: 17
Comment: The sharpshooter is vice-captain of St Patrick’s and a vital cog in their talented outfit.
A player with immense potential, Symons represented Capricornia and was named in the 2023 QISSN Rising Stars team after the keenly contested tournament in Brisbane.
Kate O’Brien
St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Team: Shield
Year level/age: 15
Comment: O’Brien is captain of the team, a fearless defender and inspirational leader. Her ability to shut down opposing attacks effectively has paved the way for many a St Patrick‘s victory.
Officials have earmarked her for bigger things by naming her as a development player in the strong Mackay Netball Premier League.
Mackenzie Maunder
St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Team Shield
Year level/age: 14
Mackenzie is an emerging centre with the vision and on-court skills to go a long way. Her snappy service at centre helps launch the team’s attack. She reads the play well.
Charlotte Thomas
The Cathedral College
Team: Shield
Charlotte is an inspiring captain, displaying strong leadership skills and helping calm the play on court.
In her second year in the Shield team, she understands the challenge ahead of her. A strong talker on the court with off the line speed, she helps the centre court bring the ball forward.
Can play wing attack, wing defence or centre.
Georgia Hanrahan
The Cathedral College
Team: Shield
Georgia’s movement in the circle dazzles defences with her rolls and cuts.
Her shooting accuracy will help the team in scoring goals and her rebounding is out of sight.
She is solid in all areas of attack and defence, and can be powerful in picking up intercepts throughout the court.
Plays goal attack or goal shooter.
Charlie Rattray
Ignatius Park College
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Goal defence star Charlie Rattray loves nothing more than causing trouble for shooters no matter who he is tasked with stopping.
Matthew Ament
Ignatius Park College
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Goal keeper Matthew Ament has a basketball background with those skills adding to his natural talent on a netball court.
Chelsea O’Neill
St Margaret Mary’s College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: 15 years old
Comment: Already an established player for Townsville Premier League club Marian Vixens, Chelsea O’Neill is a hard-nosed circle defender that doesn’t shy away from contact if she gets a sniff of an intercept. As her school team’s vice-captain, O’Neill will be an on-court leader and one of the loudest voices.
Sienna Young
St Margaret Mary’s College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: 14 years old
Comment: Young by name and young in age, at 14 years old Sienna and twin sister Elli are the two youngest members of SMMC’s Cup team. Sienna is a tenacious GD / GK /WD that has made a name for herself as one of undefeated Premier League side Saints’ best defenders. The daughter of Cowboys assistant coach Dean Young already has a great understanding of the game.
Macy Stirling
St Margaret Mary’s College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: 13 years old
Comment: The SMMC Shield captain won the Australian Under-12 Indoor Netball Championships in 2022 playing for Queensland and amazingly staying undefeated throughout the tournament.
Summer Clifford
St Margaret Mary’s College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: 13 years old
Comment: Alongside Macy Stirling, Summer Clifford won the Australian Under-12 Indoor Netball Championships in 2022 playing for Queensland and amazingly staying undefeated throughout the tournament.
Ethan Brown
Murrumba State Secondary College
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: NRL referee turned netball captain. Reads play well for intercepts, effectively shuts down the shooters and is a fantastic support to those around him. Quick reflexes and the height any coach dreams of makes Ethan an amazing player to have on the team. The QLD Suns better be watching because this star has a future in the sport!
Daniel Flanagan
Murrumba State Secondary College
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Watched all of his sisters play and now gives them a run for their money. Has a great jump shot, fantastic split and circle movement, manages to lose his defender and is a great team player.
Joesi Gisinger & Jorja Gisinger
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12 (twins)
Comment: The sisters from Bond University Bull Sharks have both ends covered. Jorja owns the shooting circle while Joesi works on turning ball over in defence. In recent months, she’s also had a fair run in the centre court – both as wing attack and wing defence.
Macy Weston
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Brooklyn Kingi
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A reliable young attacker with a bright future in the sport.
Maya Zunke
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Zunke no doubt has the backing from her coaches. She is a dangerously good circle defender with composure and stamina.
Chelsea Edwards
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Another solid shooter in the King’s ranks, Edwards completes the starting line-up and is quick to assert her dominance in every game.
Roma Talaapitaga
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A circle defender who can branch out to wing defence whenever it’s needed. This young gun has her eyes on every ball.
Dylan Achim
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: A zippy wing attack and centre, Achim is a key to King’s ball movement down court.
Quin Baumann
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: In a decoratively athletic line-up, Baumann stands out. The year 11 star can switch between circles – as either goal attack or goal defence depending on the opposition. It’s a sure handy skill to boast at Vicki Wilson.
Sione Ta’ufo’ou
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: Completing King’s MVP-list, Ta’ufo’ou is equally scary and skilled. His quick speed, footwork and ball placement makes him another GA-come-GD talent.
Harlow Ryan-Faee
King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A dynamic defender who was a member of the 13-15 years South Coast netball team in April this year.
Kisara Farley
Marymount College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Kisara and Misti also represented Marymount College in the Open QISSN team which competed in the illustrious division one in late June. An incredible note for their resumes considering the experience and talent seen at QISSN level.
Arlia Gibson
Marymount College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 8
Comment: One of the six talented young guns in the Marymount Shield team playing high-level representative netball for Hinterland District Netball Association.
Misti Harris
Marymount College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Kisara and Misti also represented Marymount College in the Open QISSN team which competed in the illustrious division one in late June. An incredible note for their resumes considering the experience and talent seen at QISSN level.
Lacey Knowles
Marymount College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: One of the six talented young guns in the Marymount Shield team playing high-level representative netball for Hinterland District Netball Association.
Zoe Mattar
Marymount College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: One of the six talented young guns in the Marymount Shield team playing high-level representative netball for Hinterland District Netball Association.
Jada Smith
Marymount College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: One of the six talented young guns in the Marymount Shield team playing high-level representative netball for Hinterland District Netball Association.
Ali Murray
St Ursula’s College Toowoomba
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A defensive ball hunter who is quick on their feet and loves to intercept passes. A strong attacking player in transition with good vision for placement of the ball.
Veronica Farrow
St Ursula’s College Toowoomba
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A great communicator on the court with a commanding presence in the circle. Her shooting accuracy and consistency can be attributed to her court awareness and ability to cope with the pressure placed on her by defence.
Georgia McAuliffe
St Ursula’s College Toowoomba
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: Fast off the mark and relentless in pursuit of the ball. Has a terrific ability to read the game, make the right decisions and direct team play. You can rely on Georgia to give 100% effort.
Roxanne Rhind
Southport State High School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 10
Comment: Strong and smart. Her Aunty is Cat Tuivaiti and has taught her how to move. Roxy made her HART Sapphire Series Ruby debut in 2023, with family packing the stands in support.
Madison Rhind
Southport State High School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 10
Comment: Fast and reads the play. Takes flying intercepts and makes it look incredible.
Georja Davies
Southport State High School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: Unsuspecting, great hand and eye coordination. Davies is in the Gold Coast Suns AFLW academy and her sister plays professionally.
Chelsea Lee
Southport State High School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: Recovering from a fractured ankle. One of the best wing defences coach Glenn Ormesher has ever seen. Super fast and athletic. Closing speed to take intercepts is her game.
Ainsley Harlow
Southport State High School
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Originally a mid court player but has transitioned to the goal attack bib. Very smart, fast ball movement and extremely accurate shooting.
Jed Cavanagh
Smithfield State High School
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: 17 years old
Comment: Jed is a tall and athletic GD who has represented the U17‘s Regional QLD team. He was a part of the winning Open Boys school team for the local Fowler’s Cup and Vicki Wilson competitions
Brock Adaway
Smithfield State High School
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: 17 years old
Comment: Brock carries a lot of experience and is the leader of the team, having represented the U17‘s Regional QLD twice as well as the U17’s Indoor QLD team. Brock can play anywhere across the court but has made the GA position his own in local competitions.
Joshua Stanton
Smithfield State High School
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: 17 years old
Comment: Standing at 6‘6, our GK comes from a basketball background and has transitioned to netball for the Vicki Wilson competition. His rebounds and ability to minimise the impact of quality shooters has been a huge contributor to the success of the team.
Jessica Haines
St Mary’s Catholic College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: 17 years old
Comment: Jessica plays GA and is our most accurate shooter. Her calm demeanour in the goal circle makes her shooting look effortless.
Lila Hodge
St Mary’s Catholic College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: 17 years old
Comment: Lila predominantly plays C but is a midcourt specialist. Her drive and movement keep the ball flowing through the court.
Caitlin Jackson & Charlotte Jonsen
St Mary’s Catholic College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age:
Comment: St Mary’s defensive duo add height and expertise to the goal circle. Both are strong and work together seamlessly to deny goals and swiftly move the ball down the court.
Ciarn MacBride
Trinity Bay
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: U15s (born 2008)
Comment: Ciarn played in the U15 Peninsula Netball, Cairns Pythons Representative Netball and North Queensland Rays
Ella-Moana Tikitau
Trinity Bay
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: U15s (born 2008)
Comment: Ella played in the U15 Peninsula Netball, Cairns Pythons Representative Netball and North Queensland Rays
Kaylin van Greunen
Downlands College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Australian U19 team
Bond University Bull Sharks
Training partner of the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts Team
Kaylin is a brilliant holding shooter, who is a part of the Australian U19 years team. She has recently been announced as a training partner of the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts team. Kaylin uses her experience from these representative teams to improve her standard of play, and her shooting is very accurate.
Molly Gore
Downlands College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Darling Downs Panthers
Molly brings a lot of experience to the team, as a Darling Downs Panther. She is very skilled in her position as goal defence and is known for her high-quality intercepts and strong rebounds.
Saupo Toeleiu
School: St Peter Claver College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: A Wildcats Ruby player, Toeleiu was a powerhouse of St Peter Claver’s QISSN midcourt and none returns for Vicki Wilson duties. Speedy, uncanny timing and footwork.
Amarni and Tianna Apelu
St Peter Claver College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11 (Amarni) and grade 12 (Tianna)
Comment: Yet another sibling duo taking to Nissan Arena this week. Amarni is St Peter Claver’s go-to target under the post while Tianna, a basketballer with netball nature, looks after the defensive end.
Bayley D’Hotman de Villiers
Somerset College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Wing defence/ goal defence who can stop an attacker by plucking intercepts out of thin air.
Kaitlyn-Jean Iva
Canterbury College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: No stranger to the Vicki Wilson stage, Iva has donned the Canterbury dress as a Shield and Cup player while gaining experience at QISSN and in local schools competitions. It shows in her vertical jump and continually-improving ability to read the play as goal keeper, goal defence and occasionally wing defence
Aaliyah Frescon-Sheppard
Canterbury College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11
Comment: A well-known name among the Netball Queensland community, Frescon-Sheppard knows her role and does it perfectly no matter what position she plays. Generally a centre/ wing attack, she enjoys being thrown into the shooting circle to remind people just how versatile she can be.
Tia Crombie and Holly Comyns
Canterbury College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: The tall-timber duo of Comyns and Crombie makes life hard for any opposition. Both Queensland representatives, and Comyns a 2023/24 Australian rep, the pair play nearly all their netball together: school, South Coast, HART Ruby Series and beyond.
Kaylee and Julianna Tamala
Canterbury College
Team: Cup
Year level/ age: Year 11 (Kaylee) and Year 10 (Julianna)
Comment: It’s a family affair in the Canterbury Cup team, with the Tamala sisters joining the Iva cousins on-court. Kaylee had an outstanding debut season in the HART Ruby Series after committing full-time to netball over volleyball for 2023. Her shooting stats are a must-see to believe. Meanwhile Julianna still juggles both sports – whose similar skill sets of hand-eye coordination, agility and elevation benefit her performance in both cases.
Jayda and Joanna Penitani
Canterbury College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9 (Jayda) and Year 7 (Joanna)
Comment: The Penitani sisters are just as dangerous as the Tamala’s, and they’ve got years left in the game. They might only be 12 and 14, but both have the skills and strength to dominate against older opponents. It will be difficult to knock Joanna off her shooting game, and even harder to get ball past Jayda.
Jasmine Fidow
Canterbury College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A young, promising talent, Fidow is a versatile circle and wing defender who can step into the centre role when asked. A skill that very few possess, she seems to do it with ease.
Harmony O
Canterbury College
Team: Shield
Year level/ age: Year 9
Comment: A member of the victorious 13-15 years South Coast side in 2023, Harmony made her QISSN debut for Canterbury in late June and got better with every game. It’s a tough feat, being just year 9, but she sure stood her ground and will do it again at Vicki Wilson against players her own age.
Kai Soby-Dammann
Carmel College, Thornlands
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Carmel College were a late addition to the Vicki Wilson draw but are sure to made a statement with Soby-Dammann. He boasts a strong top-of-circle hold and keeps space for a back feed.
Seth Winton
Calvary Christian College, Carbrook
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: A wing defence with a sometimes ‘frantic’ look, Winton is an unsuspecting opponent. His specialties are by far his strong hands over and vertical jump.
Balian Clarke
Calvary Christian College, Carbrook
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: As Calvary Boys QISSN and Vicki Wilson captain, Clarke puts his body on the line when chasing ball, contesting for intercepts and saving risky passes. Clarke knows his netball.
Matthew Horrocks
Toowoomba Anglican School
Team: Boys
Year level/ age: Year 12
Comment: Made an appearance (and impact) at QISSN using his speed and agility. He returns to Nissan Arena as captain for his side and is sure to cause havoc at the post.
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