Mildura’s sporting rookies on the rise

From footballers to swimmers, cricketers and BMX riders — here are the next generation of sporting talent set to become household names. SEE THE LIST.

Meet Mildura’s next generation of sporting stars.

Mildura and Sunraysia have been a breeding ground for a wide range of sporting sensations.

From footballers, to swimmers, cricketers and BMX riders — there’s a long list of youngsters set to become household names.

Here are some of the next generation of sporting heroes.

Jemmika Douglas (football)

Supplied Editorial Red Cliffs footballer Jemmika Douglas.

A 15-year-old from Red Cliffs, Douglas started playing football when she was five at Auskick after watching older brother Bruce play in the Under 12s.

She now plays for Nangiloc in the Sunraysia Women’s Football League and is one of the youngest players in the league.

Douglas was in 2019 selected to represent Victoria in the Under 15s Kickstart indigenous side, which led to a place in the Woomeras Under 16s Australian side.

She was also selected Mallee Sports Assembly’s indigenous Sports Person of the Year.

Her future goal is to make it to AFLW.

Emma Strachan (swimming)

Swimmer Emma Strachan, who lives on a sheep station north of Mildura.

Swimming sensation Strachan, 14, lives on a sheep station 85km from Mildura in the Pooncarie direction.

She had previously been involved in martial arts but wanted a change four years ago so jumped in the pool to take up swimming.

Strachan ended up loving it and started competing.

She qualified and made a state final this year in Adelaide and represented her school Coomealla High at the NSWCHS school swimming in Sydney.

Strachan qualified for the Victorian state age champs and Victorian county champs but will not be able to compete due to Covid and border closures.

She continues to work hard trying to fit in training, travel and school but hopes to compete at more state events and achieve national qualifying times in the future.

Seamus Keogh (cricket)

Supplied Editorial Mildura cricketer Seamus Keogh.

Keogh, 18, got into cricket at seven after his dad – the coach – convinced him to.

He’s gone on to be involved in the Cricket Victoria pathway and some Cricket Australia squads, played for Victoria in underage national competitions and made his First XI debut for Northcote Cricket Club.

The all-rounder has also impressed in Sunraysia cricket for Mildura Settlers.

Next he wants to continue with cricket as well as his studies.

“Obviously I hope to take my cricket to the top levels and hopefully become lucky enough to play for Victoria, but I also hope to go to university to study ag science or health science,” he said.

Callum Whitney (BMX)

Supplied Editorial Mildura BMX rider Callum Whitney.

When he was younger, Whitney used to wander next door after little athletics to watch the BMX racing taking place at the same time.

It wasn’t long before he was out there himself, taking up the sport at age six.

Now 15, the Mildura rider’s top achievements include competing in Australian titles in 2019, placing 17th, as well as placing fourth in both the South Australian and Victorian titles in 2019.

His future goal is to go to the world championships in 2026, which will be held in Brisbane.

Cameron Kiel (cricket)

Supplied Editorial Mildura cricketer Cameron Kiel.

Rising Mildura cricket star Kiel has an impressive resume for a 17-year-old.

He’s captained the Mallee Murray Bulls side, won multiple first division grand finals with Mildura Settlers, scored centuries on consecutive days in representative cricket and played for Glenelg in the South Australian premier cricket Under 18s shield.

The wicketkeeper and batsman started football when he was seven before taking up cricket at 13, which he plans to continue.

“My future goals would be to pursue my cricket career as far as possible and like everyone’s dream captain Australia,” he said.

Corbin Copeman (taekwondo)

Mildura's Corbin Copeman, who does taekwondo.

After taking up taekwondo in 2016 at six, this Mildura prodigy has made some notable achievements.

In March 2019 Copeman won gold in sparring at the CHITF world championships in Melbourne, beating an opponent from Malaysia.

Later that year, at age 10, he had his junior black belt.

Copeman, now 12, got into taekwondo to help with controlling his emotions and discipline.

Due to Covid he hasn’t been able to train as much as he’d like, but he has an interest in starting kickboxing and will continue with martial arts.

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