These rising stars are making their mark in their respective codes

From the footy field to the court, the pool to the pitch, these talented athletes have bright futures ahead of them.

Profiles of 10 of Central Queensland's most promising young sports stars.

Central Queensland has produced some of the country’s greatest athletes.

The sporting alumni includes tennis legend Rod ‘Rocket’ Laver to cycling champion Anna Meares, hockey greats Mark Knowles and Jamie Dwyer and countless NRL stars.

They all spent their formative years plying their trade on the courts, tracks and fields across the region.

Their achievements are sure to have inspired countless new generations.

There is a wealth of young talent coming through the ranks today and here we profile 10 rising stars who are making their mark in their chosen codes.

Taryn Roberts.

Taryn Roberts (swimming): The young superfish continued to enhance her reputation as one of the country’s best in 2021. Her appearance at the Australian Olympic trials at just 15 has many pundits tipping her as one of the sport’s next big things. She contested five events there, her best finish seventh in the 1500m, one of her pet events alongside the 400m IM. She continued to add to an already bulging trophy cabinet, bagging an incredible seven individual gold across multiple disciplines in her first appearance at the 2021 Age Swimming Championships in April. She rounded out the meet with silver in the 200m butterfly. In her most recent event, the state long course championships in December, she won six gold, one silver and one bronze. And along the way she won the 15 years girls 5km and was second in the open women’s 5km at the Queensland Open Water Championships. She continues to blaze an impressive trail since winning her first state medal at age 10 and the stage is set for an exciting 2022.

Jai Hansen. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Jai Hansen (rugby league): A highly regarded hooker, Jai is a natural footballer who has been contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys for 2022-2024. He possesses all the traits required to make it big in the game - he’s tough as nails, has a fantastic kicking game, sublime ball skills and a great running game. He was instrumental in the CQ Capras under-18s run to the Mal Meninga Cup semi-finals in 2021 and was named the team’s Player of the Year. He also stamped his authority on the Aaron Payne Cup, Queensland’s premier schoolboys competition, playing with The Cathedral College First XIII. He has a great football brain and has been likened to the Melbourne Storm’s Harry Grant.

Ben Tweedy. Photo: Jody Grayson.

Ben Tweedy (basketball): The 16-year-old point guard is ranked in the top five players in the state for his age. The young gun has just scored a two-year basketball scholarship with The Southport School on the Gold Coast where he will lead the open team in the renowned GPS schools competition. Ben’s greatest attribute is his on-court IQ - he has the ability to not only score himself but to create for his teammates. He’s an inspirational player who makes those around him better. His next assignment will be with the Rockhampton Rockets under-18s representative side at the state championships in January. He will then hit the court as the starting point guard for the North Queensland under-18s at the national championships to be held in Ballarat in April.

Ella Calleja. Photo: George Vartabedian

Ella Calleja (Aussie rules): This modest young champion is making her mark, quite literally, in the sport. A member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy program, her game continues to go from strength to strength. Predominantly used in the backline in the past, Ella moved into the forward line with the Yeppoon Swans senior women’s team in the 2021 AFL Capricornia season. She signalled her arrival up front with six goals in the opening game of the season and her good form with the boot continued all year. The 16-year-old went on to be named the competition’s best and fairest. Ella is considered an exceptional talent with all the skills and the right attitude. She can take a high mark, has great footwork, is super fit and is a tireless worker, both at training and in games.

Spencer Smallacombe.

Spencer Smallacombe (rugby union): The classy number 8 makes a big impression at the back of the scrum. Tall and strong, Spencer is fast and agile, a damaging ball runner and aggressive defender. He made the Queensland under-18 and schoolboys teams and in September was named in the Australian A Schoolboys Rugby Union Merit Team. The Rockhampton Grammar graduate is looking to further his game by moving to Brisbane and securing a start in premier grade.

Owen Pattie.

Owen Pattie (rugby league): The talented halfback is recognised as the ultimate competitor by his peers. Owen has great vision and can read the game very well, seeing opportunities that other players cannot. He boasts skill, athleticism and, most importantly, the smarts to take him to the highest echelons of the game. Owen led the St Brendan’s College First XIII in the 2021 Confraternity, Aaron Payne and Phil Hall Cup campaigns. The Canberra Raiders signed him after he sealed the Aaron Payne Cup decider in scintillating fashion, snapping a late field goal on the buzzer against Kirwan State High.

Tyler Wetzler.

Tyler Wetzler (soccer): The young excitement machine has skills to burn and an infectious energy on-field. As a 15-year-old, Tyler made his CQ Premier League with Frenchville this season. He started in a handful of games, as well as bringing plenty of energy off the bench, and impressed in the team’s thrilling penalty shootout win over Clinton in the grand final. He has the ability to fill a number of positions, playing an attacking role with Frenchville while switching to a defensive midfielder in rep teams such as the Central Queensland under-16s who he played with this year. Tyler capped his breakout season by being awarded the Frenchville Senior Football Club’s Clayton Rowland Trophy for most promising youth.

Rockhampton touch star Charli Hardy has had a year to remember, her most recent success inclusion in the Queensland primary schools merit team. Photo: Touch Football Australia

Charli Hardy (touch): This little champion is making a big impression in touch circles. She swept all before her this year, making every representative team possible. Charli represented the Rockhampton Redbacks at the Junior State Cup in Hervey Bay before starring for the CQ Bulls at the National Youth Championships on the Sunshine Coast. She capped her stellar 2021 with a standout performance with Capricornia at the state primary schools 10 to 12 years championships in Townsville, going on to be named in the Queensland Girls Merit Team. Her natural ability, positive attitude, work ethic and willingness to learn have her well placed to be one of the game’s next big stars.

Cricketer Rory Connor.

Rory Connor (cricket): A talented all-rounder, Rory is emerging as a player to watch in cricket circles. A destructive middle-order batsman and right-arm fast bowler, he was an integral member of Rockhampton Grammar’s First XI this year. He also captained the school’s Year 9 team to the state T20 final and will represent Capricornia in the Queensland schoolboys championships in February. He is also making his mark with Grammar in the senior third grade division of the Rockhampton competition.

Amy Woods.

Amy Woods (hockey): A very strong fullback with lots of determination, Amy possesses a great tackling technique and has the ability to throw penetrating passes. The 13-year-old made her A-grade debut with Wanderers this year, playing a leading role in their premiership win in the Rockhampton competition. She was selected in the Queensland under-13 squad and is a member of the Capricornia under-19 team.

Originally published as These rising stars are making their mark in their respective codes