500+ Qld sporting juniors to watch in 2023
From swimming to athletics to cricket to hockey, introducing more than 500 young Queensland sporting talents you simply have to watch out for.
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Rugby league and Aussie rules may be thriving in Queensland but there are plenty of other sports delivering gun juniors.
We take a deep dive into hockey, cricket, athletics, swimming, basketball and rugby union to unearth the state’s rising junior stars.
BASKETBALL
There is no shortage of talent across the state. Here are some on the rise so far in 2023.
Tyson Crees
This guard has been involved in Far North basketball since under-12s, having represented Queensland North on a number of occasions.
The 15-year-old also attended the under-17 Crocs camp at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in March 2022 in preparation for selection to the Australia men’s team going to the FIBA Asia Cup.
Jack Tweedy
The Rockhampton Rockets gun ensured his powerhouse side surged to a 12-0 win-loss record across the Central Queensland under-16 Division 1 season.
Tweedy netted a season-high 25 points against Gladstone Power to prove he could be set for a shot at a higher level in 2023.
Belle Caughley
Caughley announced herself to Queensland basketball in 2022, leading all scorers in the Central Queensland under-16 Division 1 competition.
Her 20.4 points per game was highlighted by a 28-point haul against the mighty Rockhampton side.
FULL LIST OF 20+ BASKETBALL JUNIORS TO WATCH
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HOCKEY
Queensland continues to emerge as the home to leading hockey talents, as these names show.
Maddison Tolson
The Maroochydore Swans midfielder, 15, has a natural flare for hockey which enables her to read the game well and eliminate the opposition.
She was a member of the Queensland U15 Maroon team which recently went through undefeated at the 2023 National Championships in Darwin.
Kaleb Mayfield
Norths player Kaleb, 17, has a fantastic work ethic and a skill set suited to any facet of the game His ability to organise teammates and read the game make him a valued part of any team his plays in.
Sophie Hammond
The Southern Suburbs Hockey Club midfielder/striker, 17, is a very fit, fast and smart young player with great 3D and elimination skills.
She played for Queensland’s under-18 indoor team in 2022 and was selected as a shadow for the under-18 outdoor team in 2023.
Hammond was also named Rising Star at Qld School Girls in 2022
FULL LIST OF 44 QLD JUNIOR HOCKEY GUNS
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CRICKET
The future of Australian cricket is in good hands if the national under-12 championships in Darwin in June are to go by.
Here are some of the top performers:
Adam Johansen (QLD): 109 runs at 21.8. Four catches
Caeden Ford (QLD): Four wickets at 6.5
Anuk Kottegoda (QLD): Seven wickets at 12.14. 40 runs at 10
FULL LIST OF 60 PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
Meanwhile we found more than 180 young cricketers who impressed across Queensland in the 2022/23 season.
Brandon Hamilton-Kaurila
The Western Suburbs Townsville quick bowler took 16 wickets at 7.06 in the under-17 Andrew Symonds Cup and is one to keep an eye on.
Finn Vikionkorpi
The Atherton Cricket Club batter proved a star in the Jimmy Maher Cup in Far North Queensland.
He belted 284 runs at an average of 40.57
Michael Iffland
A Broadbeach Robina junior on the rise, Iffland showed his class in the Cricket Gold Coast Open Junior Division 1 competition.
His 25 at 7.08 included a best of 4-9.
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RUGBY UNION
AIC First XV schoolboy rugby union competition in Queensland continues to deliver our future Wallabies talents.
Here are some names to watch.
Will Lane
Lane played at lock for Wynnum Seagulls Mal Meninga Cup team but can also fill in at centre Iona. A hard runner and rugged defender, Lane leads the Iona backline.
Jasper Barry
With his older brother Tasman now out of school after playing two years in the Firsts, it is Barry’s time to shine with his big frame and strong ball-carrying in the forward pack.
The Queensland Reds under-16 representative creates quick ball through strength and footwork.
A league junior, Barry is continuing to learn the game and improving his tight play.
Cameron Bukowski
An all around sportsman who earlier this year scored a First XI century playing cricket before shining for Wynnum Manly in the Meninga Cup.
The inside centre first represented Villnova Collegea as a Year 10 student in 2021 and is a strong defender and dynamic attack player.
He was also named in the Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin Squad.
FULL LIST OF 30 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Meanwhile in southeast Queensland club rugby there are young stars aplenty making waves.
Trevor King
Souths coach Cian O’Connor described King as “a big physical presence as an 18-year-old”. He has also been included in the Reds academy.
FULL LIST OF 30+ CLUB RUGBY COLTS
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SWIMMING
Queensland’s best youth swimmers flooded the Gold Coast Aquatic in April for the annual All Ages Swimming Championships.
Here are some of the 120 young guns identified.
Phoebe Finlay
An outstanding young multi class athlete, Finlay is one to watch for the future.
Sally Vagg
A star to watch for several years now, Vagg is a Rocky City butterfly prospect.
She is an Australian Junior Dolphins representative.
Meanwhile in March we unearthed 60 more young guns at the QGSSSA Swimming Championships.
Eloise McLellan
Take note of this name as the 14-year-old Sommerville House student is a star on the rise.
Eloise has picked up State gold medals in all strokes, so it is unsurprising that she is also a brilliant Zndividual Medley swimmer.
Holly Fleming
Brisbane Girls’ Grammar’s 15-year-old had a strong finish in the final of the 50m Backstroke at the 2023 Brisbane Sprint Championships.
Holly is also a gun in the 200m Individual Medley, 100m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke.
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SURF LIFESAVING
Queensland is home to surf lifesaving - as these juniors proved.
Ruby Meehan
Northcliffe’s Meehan won the Next Gen Ironwoman Series to qualify her for the 2023/24 Ironwoman Series.
Her strengths are the ski and board.
Grace Otto
The Burleigh Heads youngster won the Next Gen Series in 2022 and had her first season in the Ironwoman Series in 2023.
A gun to watch, particuarly in the water.
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FOOTBALL (soccer)
The GPS season is always a must-watch, both for the action and the numbers of young talents emerging.
Following the start of the season in April, these are the names jumping out at us.
Ben Anderson
The Toowoomba Grammar School’s Ben Anderson has been a First XI regular since Year 10 and deservingly captained the side in 2023.
He is a highly versatile player who can play in numerous positions across the field.
His greatest asset — he leads by example.
Anderson is a tenacious, high energy footballer who possesses lightning fast speed on the break.
Lachy Buckman
A prolific goal scorer, Buckman is always hungry to add to his tally and has been a focal point for Ipswich Grammar School up front.
Chez Bos
The Southport School striker Chez Bos is a hardworking striker who enjoys the physical contests with his opponents.
He is strong in the air and can finish goals with both his right and left foot.
ATHLETICS
The QGSSSA Cross Country Championships in May delivered a fresh wave of athletics talents.
Gabrielle Schmidt
The St Peters Lutheran College student is an athlete who has had an impressive past 12 months, culminating in representing Australia at the World Cross Country Championships.
In addition to her long history of Cross Country success, Gabrielle also has prowess on the track, winning the 1500m and 3000m at the last Australian School Sport National Titles.
Gabrielle Kranen
The Brisbane State High School student led the Queensland All Schools State Championship race from the gun in May, powering across the hilly Victoria Park Course.
Remains one to watch.
FULL LIST OF 50+ ATHLETICS GUNS
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Originally published as 500+ Qld sporting juniors to watch in 2023
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