Queensland netball’s top teenage talents of 2022
Meet the top 60 junior Queensland Netball talents of 2022 from Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, North Queensland, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. FULL LIST
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Queensland Netball’s future could not be brighter given the high class teenage talent on offer.
A dozen youngsters were in either the under 17 or under 19 national squads, while the Queensland junior representative teams were bludging with brilliant youngsters.
In the last 12 months the likes of Rylee Burns, Maddi Ridley, Lily Gribble, Danielle Taylor, Eden Cassidy, Michaela Kadlecek, Hayley McGruther, Georgina Roy and Reilley Batchehlor have swept through the under 19 ranks, and now the next generation of teens were making their mark.
Here we present Queensland’s best netballers aged 19 years or under, the teenage high achievers of 2022.
Ashleigh Ervin (Bond University, Ipswich Jets)
The 191cm tall 19-year-old Ashleigh Ervin grew up as a sharp shooter but it is down the other end of the court that she is making a name for herself. A Firebirds list player, Ervin captained the Queensland under 19s team at the nationals in April and is now a member of the Australian under 19 squad.
Ava Black (USC Thunder)
Renowned for her athletic ability, the 184cm tall Black can cover all three centre court positions after reinventing herself following a career as a wing defence. Originally from Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s midcourter joins Ervin as an Australian under 19 squad member after first announcing herself in senior netball as the 2020 Sapphire Series Most Valuable Player.
Isabelle Shearer (Frenchville, Cougars)
From the sporting city of Rockhampton, The Cathedral School Shearer product has been a name on the netball community’s lips for several years after storming into two Australian squads as a 16-year-old in 2020 A current Australian under 19 squad member, the Frenchville junior continues to go from strength to strength.
Martina Reekers
Reekers was one of Queensland’s most exciting players who has shone like a beacon. The 19-year-old Reekers lit up the Sapphire Series for Brisbane North Cougars, with her well known for her long passing game coming to the fore during the Cougars premiership run.
Darcie Davies
A cross-code young gun, the 184cm tall Darcie Davies was so highly rated by the state selectors, she was named Queensland under 17 captain earlier in the year when the side scrambled to a bronze medal. Also an AFL talent, the Gold Coast rookie has been elevated into the national under 17 training squad.
Sarah Harris (Thunder)
Harris was part of the Queensland under 19 side which competed at the nationals earlier this year. After a three year apprenticeship in the Ruby Series, the 2022 Sapphire Series graduate has developed into a strong midcourter with great ability to feed the ball to the shooters.
Rianah and Lynette Childs (Cairns Tigers)
The sisters from Brisbane’s bayside connect seamlessly in matches, blocking skilled shooters while also putting up dominant one-on-one defence. Lynette (19) and Rianah (18) were a dynamic duo, with Rianah a Queensland under 19 representative.
Abby Boland (Gold Coast Titans)
Boland had a big finish to 2022, playing some of her best netball in the Titans under-18 side that won the Nissan State Titles. Rewarded with state selection, Boland was earlier named as a training partner for the Titans in 2022, playing a number of games in the Ruby Series competition. After graduating from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, the young shooter will be looking to grab a permanent spot in the statewide competition next season.
Baylee Boyd (USC Thunder)
A centre or wing defence, this is Boyd’s third year being named in the Queensland squad. She is known for her exceptional ability to read the play and feed the circle while also having a defensive impact to score tips and intercepts. She was also a member of the USC Thunder Ruby team in 2022.
Holly Buckley (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Holly Buckley (GK/GD) has gone from strength to strength, imprving with every game she plays. Buckley is a hard worker and was elevated as a replacement player for the Ruby team halfway through this year and has an amazing ability to win ball in the circle. Her reach over the ball and her strength when rebounding is exceptional.
Georgia Butt (USC Thunder)
A centre and wing attack, Butt made the return to netball this year after a gruelling ACL injury. She has come back fitter and stronger than ever. She has eyes for the shooters as a midcourt player and the ability to take a ball against any player taller than her. She has made an exceptional comeback from her injury andis striving to make the Queensland 19s final team in 2023.
Alissa Carey (Northern Mendi Rays)
The Queensland under 19 squad member continues to set a great example to her peers, earning selection in the squad preparing for next year’s nationals. After breaking into the Rays senior squad list last year as a training partner, Carey has had a big 2022 and will look to go one step further by winning a place in the final squad of 16 to be decided in January.
Kiara Condon (USQ Jets)
Kiara Condon leads by example when playing as part of a team. She is a fierce defence player who always has her eye on the ball. Condon is renowned to be able to come from anywhere to intercept a pass and, after overcoming a shoulder injury last year, performed extremely well for the under 18 USQ Jets team. As the captain she played a pivotal role in the success of this team.
Bayley D’Hotman de Villiers (Gold Coast Titans)
de Villiers. had a breakout 2022, making her Sapphire Series debut in the Titans inaugural side. An athletic defender, de Villiers is able to play both WD and GD and she capped her year with selection in the Queensland under-19 side after a dominant performance in the Titans under-18 side that won the Nissan State Titles.
Sophia Dobson (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Dobson is in her second year with the Tigers and the Moreton Bay College product has had no trouble settling into her new colours. She made her debut in the Ruby team in the HSS, made the Queensland U17s team who competed at Nationals, made the Queeensland Schoolgirls Merit team and was selected in the Australian U17 squad. How about that for a 2022 showcase.
Tahlia Evans (Brisbane South Wildcats)
A wing defence or centre, Evans hails from the Tweed Netball Association after growing up on Norfolk Island. Evans has followed the Queensland netball pathway, earning a spot in the Queensland’s U17s at the National Netball Championships in Hobart. She has a strong work ethic off the court who has worked hard throughout 2022, cementing her position in the Wildcats. She also led the U18 Wildcats team at the recent state titles, gaining selection in the state squad again for 2023.
Kayla Anderson (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Anderson has been in the state program for the last couple of years and continues to
develop her strength, stepping into the Sapphire Series in 2022 which proved a great opportunity for her. She led the Wildcats u18 team at the recent state titles,
gaining selection in the state under 19s squad.
Talitah Faifai (Gold Coast Titans)
A talented shooter, Faifai was a standout for the Titans in the Ruby Series competition in 2022. The young GA/GS also stepped into the Sapphire Series at times throughout the year and showed she was more than capable against experienced opponents. Faifai was selected in the Queensland under-19 side after starring in the Titans under-18 side that won the Nissan State Titles.
Poppy Gatfield (USC Thunder)
A goal or wing attack, the veteran of three seasons in the Ruby squad understands what is required from athletes to be able to play at the next level. She has always caught the eye with height as a goal attack and ability to turn and shoot.
Emily Jones (Capricorn Claws)
Jones joins Capricorn Claws club mate Jade Williams in the Queensland under 17 squad training for the 2023 season. She will be vying for a place in the final 16 to compete at the Netball Australia National Championships in 2023.
Ocean Karekare (USQ Jets)
Ocean Karakare is a hard working centre court player who has progressed through the Future Jets program and who is developing into one of the most aspiring athletes in the Queensland Netball system. Karekare is extremely fit, she works hard on and off the court to ensure that she has the energy and physical ability to sustain any situation on the Netball court. Karekare has juggled school work, travel and the demands of netball admirably.
Larika Malagaoma (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Malagaoma is a strong goal shooter with an incredible ability to put up the shot from anywhere in the circle. She is able to play both a holding shooter as well as a moving circle and is able to quickly create space for her other shooting partner. Malagaoma is unflappable under pressure.
Malagaoma has represented Queensland before in the U17 and U19 age groups, as well as representing her own country of Samoa.
Yasmin Mayall (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.
Jayden Molo (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Molo is a talented young mid court player who has improved her game out of sight across the past few years. She is so strong in her ability to contest for the ball and this all comes from her excellent footwork and speed. Molo can play in a range of positions, but is most at home in WD and C. Due to her fantastic speed and power, Molo is able to take an intercept and attack the ball down the court extremely quickly.
Kiesha Muckan (USC Thunder)
The rookie goalkeeper, goal defence and wing defence exponent has had an exceptional 2022 and, in the lead up to the season, was transitioned from a midcourter to a defence player. She may not size up against some of the tall shooters, but as an underdog with her vertical leap and the ability to read the play, she makes her presence felt on the floor.
Dakota Newson (Gold Coast Titans)
The speedy mid-court made her Sapphire Series debut in 2022, called into the Titans side mid-season after starting the year in the Ruby Series competition. Newson was selected in the Queensland under-19 side after captaining the Titans under-18 side that won the Nissan State Titles. The centre and wing attack is renowned for her speed and fitness.
Lillyana Rennie (USQ Jets)
A goal keeper/goal defence player from Logan, Rennie has been coming through the system after first emerging in the under-15 schoolgirls competition in 2019 when she made the state and Australian sides. She broke into senior netball with the Brisbane South Wildcats Sapphire Series side and is now a national under 19 squad member – a long way from when she first started at the Logan City Netball Association aged 10.
Elsa Sif Sandholt (USQ Jets)
Elsa Sif Sandholt is one of the most exciting shooters in the Sapphire League. She has height, strength and accuracy ensuring that she is a target for fierce defence every time that she plays. She is currently developing her game in the GA position. She is definitely a player that is destined to wear the green and gold in the senior ranks in the future.
Mia Smalley (USC Thunder)
Noted as a goal defence and goalkeeper, Smalley has stepped up in 2022 adding to the great defensive efforts for the USC Thunder U18’s state titles team. Her eye for the ball in defence makes her great for being able to read the play and pick up the high and low balls. She was named in the Queensland U19 squad for 2023.
Kaylin van Greunen (Darling Downs Panthers)
One of the best juniors in the business, the Darling Downs sharpshooter is another national under 17 squad member who was ahead of her time in 2021 when she made the Queensland 17s – aged just 15.
Mia Wharekura (USQ Jets)
Mia Wharekura has returned from a terrible ankle injury that saw her miss the 2021 season. Wharekura is new to the USQ Jets Netball; she has been a welcomed addition with her tenacity in defence as she works hard on her opponent ensuring that she is always in the position to contest every ball that is passed in her direction.
Jade Williams (Capricorn Claws)
It is a sporting city second to none in Queensland, and now Rockhampton has yet another Queensland representative. The Beef City’s netball player Williams has been named in the Queensland under 17 squad training hard for the 2023 representative season.
Emmisyn Wynyard (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Wynyard is a fantastic WD, GD player with excellent footwork that allows her to attack the ball so cleanly. The under 19 state squad selection is able to read the play very well and dictate to place her self in the right spot to contest for the ball every time. Wynyard is also able to bring the ball down the court strongly which is an enormous asset to her team and her own game.
Ellie Brice (USC Thunder)
Brice has transitioned from defence to midcourt and this has made her a greater player than she already was. Now in wing defence, the USC Thunder star’s defensive skills and height has really impressed, earning Queensland under 17 squad selection. She has a great future ahead of her after being in the USC Thunder Ruby team at just 16-years-old.
Marley Burns (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Burns is a creative goal scorer with an ability to play both a holding and a moving game to keep defenders guessing. For a younger player she has an impressive array of goal movements which make it a challenge for her opponents to defend. Burns’ shooting ability from all areas of the circle is an asset and this will continue to improve as she gains more experience in pressure situations.
Holly Comyns (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
In just her second year with the Tigers, Comyns has showed the club just how bright of a prospect she is. Whether it be her Ruby team debut, her selection in the Queensland Merit team for the U19s or being at the forefront of Netball Queensland’s School of the Year, the Canterbury College young gun has had a year to remember.
There is more to come.
Tia Crombie (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Crombie has been with Comyns on their netball journey at Canterbury College. There’s little wonder why they are the best netball school going around, when you have talent like this in the ranks.
She made her Ruby team debut this year, all the while gaining selection in the Queensland Merit Team and the Queensland U17 team that travelled to the Nationals.
Jada Delaney (USC Thunder)
Another cross code-talent, goalkeeper Delaney has had an incredible year being named in both the Queensland and Australian U17 squads and again the Queensland under 17 squad for 2023. Her height and elevation makes her a natural in the sport, and it was no surprise the USC Thunder Ruby team called on her for this season despite being aged just 16 years.
Sasha-May Flegler (Northern Mendi Rays)
Another northern Raider from the powerhouse Rays, what a season it has been for Flegler who has earned selection in the Queensland under 17 squad that is training for the right to make the cut and represent her state at next year’s nationals.
But, she’s not just a netball star. She is a serious softball talent as well.
Jasmine Gill (USC Thunder)
Making the trek from Bundaberg week in and week out, Gill has an impeccable eye for the hoop, but also being able to feed and place the ball for the shooters where it is needed. The wing attack being named in the under 17 Queensland squad is a great recognition for her efforts.
Joesi Gisinger (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Joesi Gisinger (GD/WD) has an amazing ability to read the game, and she has exceptional elevation and strength. At 16 years of age, Gisinger played her first year in the Ruby Series this year for the Bull Sharks and is one to watch for the future.
Molly Green (USQ Jets)
Molly Green is a strong defender who works her opposition hard. She has been a valuable member of the Jets development programs, developing great skills.
Green’s footwork around her opposition ensures that she has the ability to intercept a large volume of balls meanwhile her precision passes and reading the play are aspects that make her a stand out.
Mahlia Henare (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
A creative GA who is forging her craft in the WA position as well, Henare is an elusive goal scorer who handles a lot of ball for her teammates and creates opportunities where there are none. She also has a very good defensive game which adds another element to an already crafty player.
Gemma Hutchings (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
An exciting versatile defender with outstanding elevation and an exceptional ability to read the play.
Her talent to take intercepts at crucial times has the potential to change games. With further work in honing her defensive craft, Hutchings will be a player to watch in the future.
Charlotte Jonsen (Northern Mendi Rays)
Could Jonsen have had a better year? Her recent selection in the Queensland under 17 squad has merely garnished a huge nine months which saw her help Queensland to a silver medal in the school sport Australia National Netball Championships. The St Mary’s school student was also named in the QISSN Rising Stars team following a big representative carnival in Mackay during July.
Sarah Joyce (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Here’s one to watch out for. It’s Joyce’s first year with the Tigers and she has so much more to give to the sport. The Moreton Bay College student was a Met East Regional team representative for the U15s and has just kept improving this year.
A fierce competitor.
Ella Macartney (USQ Jets)
Ella Macartney has been a member of the Future Jets program and has worked hard shooting with great accuracy from anywhere in the circle. She works on ensuring that she is a valuable member of her team and her ability to work with her shooter has been identified as a key to her success on the netball court.
Elka Macaulay (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Elka Macaulay is a goal scorer, goal attack whiz who at just 16 years of age is mature beyond her years. She has an ability to be so versatile in the circle and her impressive shooting accuracy and skills make her even more dangerous.
The rookie also played for the Bond Ruby team in 2022.
Olivia Mallard (Gold Coast Titans)
Mallard joined the Titans for the Nissan State Titles, selected in the club’s U16 side for the carnival. The speedy mid-court excelled at both WA and C during the carnival and was one of the Titans best, earning state selection off the back of her performances.
Brooke Marchant (Gold Coast Titans)
Marchant has been part of the Titans setup throughout 2022, joining the club initially as a training partner. Capable of playing a number of positions, Marchant made her Ruby Series debut this season before excelling for the Titans under-16 side at the Nissan State Titles, earning a call up to the Queensland under-17 side.
Maia Masoe (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Maia Masoe, a centre or wing attack, has an amazing ability to read play and has exceptional vision into the circle to her shooters. Her versatility to play both positions has made her one to watch for the future.
Tia Molo (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
An exciting wing attack to watch for the future, Molo has the ability to control the court with her strong powerful drives to the circle edge. When she takes these drives, she is almost unstoppable. Combine her movement with her ability to feed her goalers and she is the complete package for an up-and-coming centre court player.
Losehina (Rose) Mulligan (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Mulligan oozes athleticsm. The Brisbane State High School student is a training partner for the Ruby team in the HSS and in her second year at the Tigers she is fitting in very well within a star studded program.
She’s in the Queensland Track and Field team which translates nicely onto the court.
Anessah and Samaya Oakley, Samaya (Northern Mendi Rays)
It is double trouble when these Leprechauns Netball Club twins take to the court. Both under 17 Queensland squad members, the girls from the Far North were attacking weapons whose height can be relied upon when their teams circle the wagons in defence.
Aaliyah Sheppard (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
An absolute young gun. Not only did she make her Ruby team debut but she made an appearance in Sapphire.
She is one of the brightest young athletes at Canterbury College and it’ll be no suprise to see her take the netball world by storm.
Her selection in the Queensland Merit Team (Schoolgirls 19 Years) solidifies that.
Kaylee Tamala (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Something must be in the water at Canterbury College given the quality of netball athletes they seem to be churning out. Tamala is an all-rounder and an exceptional athlete who was also named in Qld and Australian teams for Volleyball. Yes, she is a cross-code talent.
In 2022 she gained selection in:
-The Queensland Schoolgirls team as captain (15 Years).
-The Australian Schoolgirls Team.
Kirra Tappenden (USC Thunder)
Tappenden is a great young gun shooter who has an eye is for the hoop at all times. She is definitely one to keep an eye out as she gets older and experience gained in the Queensland under 17 squad will do her good.
Saupo Toeleiu (USQ Jets)
Saupo Toeleiu is an exciting young player who has been a training partner with the USQ Jets in 2022. She drives for the ball with strength and speed. Saupo has the ability to find space on a court easily. She is a great asset to any team.
Kydan Tuapou (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Tuapou is an athlete who has an innate ability to take intercepts and use her vision to the
circle well. As she works both in and out of the circle, she has speed and smarts of the game. She led the under 16 wildcats team in 2022 at the state titles, being rewarded with state squad selection.
Georgie Johnson (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Johnson is a tenacious and hard working mid court player who has worked hard for a
position in her first state squad. She is excited about the opportunity to work with the squad and prepare herself best she can for selections and the upcoming 2023 season.
Ngahuia Te Rure (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Te Rure has an incredible work ethic and is a dedicated and committed team player who has worked hard in 2022 to focus on her role within the team. As the younger player in the Wildcats Ruby team, she has taken on board feedback to then lead the u16 wildcats team at the state titles, gaining selection in the state squad with the aim of going all the way to nationals in 2023.
Halle Webster (Darling Downs Panthers)
Halle Webster (Darling Downs Panthers)
The young gun from the rich sporting pastures of the Darling Downs, Queensland under 17 selection Webster joins fellow club mate Kaylin van Greunen (Qld under 19s) in state squad training for the right to win a place in the state side bound for the nationals in 2023.
Estel Mocelutu (Mendi Rays)
A tremendous centre or wing attack, is a Mendi Rays midcourt star who has fought her way back to the sport after suffering an ACL injury in 2018. She said a career highlight was winning the 2020 Townsville Premier League grand final alongside her older sister Kathleen. Last year she also picked up the titles of Townsville City Netball Association Inc grand final winner and MVP.
Wildcard watch:
Grace Gabriel, Gypsy McCormack, Yasmin Mayall, Kirsten-Lupe Tanielu, Hallie Geyer.
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Originally published as Queensland netball’s top teenage talents of 2022
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