Chancellor State College’s touch football academy stars revealed
The next generation of homegrown touch footy talents has been revealed, as these formidable academy young guns continue to dominate. See the full list of up-and-coming stars.
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An established high school touch football program is developing the future generation of breakout stars on the Sunshine Coast, with the homegrown talents showcasing their brilliance on the field.
Chancellor State College began the program in 2010 with 25 students, and has since grown to more than 130 athletes.
The Sippy Downs touch football academy program is the only one of its kind on the Sunshine Coast, and is one of just 12 across Australia.
Program co-ordinator Paul Cobham said it was a joy to be apart of.
“I started at Chancellor in 2005 and since then I started putting teams into the local competition,” he said.
“Then midway through 2009 I put forward the proposal about the academy and was lucky enough they gave it a green light.
“We’ve grown since then to now having classes from Years 7 to 10.
“We got our first Queensland representative player in 2011, which was a big deal, and since then we’ve been very proud with not just the results we’ve had, but certainly the students that we’ve helped shape.”
The school competed in the Gold Coast Titans All Schools competition earlier this month, with both under 18 boys and girls teams progressing to the state final.
A total of 19 Chancellor students made the Sunshine Coast regional team in 2022, with a further five selected in Queensland squads.
Here is the list of the rising stars to keep an eye on for years to come, listed in no particular order.
U18 Girls
Kate Ellem
2022 Touch Football Achievements: Australian U18 Youth touch football squad member, Queensland Schools U18 player, Sunshine Coast Women’s Open representative (National Touch League), Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Kate is an attacking link player with a strong right-to-left pass, who has been a member of the Chancellor Touch Football Academy for the past two years,” Cobham said.
“Her creative attacking skills have seen her rewarded with selection in a number of elite teams and squads this year.”
Georgia Kett
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Georgia is a middle player who possesses outstanding speed. She has been a member of the Chancellor Touch Football Academy for the past five years,” Cobham said.
“Georgia is a smart, hardworking player who was first selected into our open first 14 team as a 15-year-old in Year 10, where she was a starting middle in the Qld All Schools winning team.”
Evie Poulus
2022 touch football achievements: Australian U18 Youth touch football squad member, Queensland Schools U18 shadow player, selected in the Sunshine Coast U20 Women’s team (National Touch League), Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Evie has developed in to an elite hard-running defensive link,” Cobham said.
“She has been a member of the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy for the past five years.
“Evie is a player who has forged a reputation as a player who does much of the hard work defending and rucking the ball, but she also possesses excellent passing skills on both sides.”
Chloe Tunks
2022 touch football achievements: Australian U20 Youth Squad touch football member, Queensland Schools U18 captain, Sunshine Coast Women’s Open representative (National Touch League), Queensland State of Origin U20 player, Sunshine Coast Schools U18 captain and Chancellor State College first 14 captain.
“Chloe is an elite player who possesses a unique skill set based around her attacking short game close to the score line,” Cobham said.
“She has achieved the ultimate recognition this year with Australian Youth squad and State of Origin selection.
“Chloe is an amazing athlete and leader who first represented the Open first 14 as a Year 9 student in 2019.
“She has been a member of the Chancellor Touch Football Academy since 2018.”
Myah Hape
2022 touch football achievements: Selected in the Sunshine Coast U20 Women team (National Touch League), Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Myah has worked hard on her game and has become a hard-running player who is dangerous for opposition teams when she is close to the line,” Cobham said.
“Not afraid to do the hard work, Myah has earned a reputation amongst her teammates as a reliable and disciplined teammate.
“Myah first earned open first 14 selection as a 15-year-old.
“She has been of the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy since 2019.”
Jordyn Stock
2022 touch football achievements: Queensland Schools U18 shadow player, Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player, Sunshine Coast U18 club player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Jordyn has evolved in to one of the best wingers in the game,” Cobham said.
“Her ability to read the play and anticipate what the opposition team are doing means that she is able to stay a step ahead of her opponents and diffuse potential scoring opportunities”
“As one of the fittest players going around, Jordyn willingly plays on the far side of the field, often with little rest.
“She has been a member of the first 14 since 2020 and a Touch Football Academy member since 2017.”
Naharni Wood
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Women’s representative (National Touch League), Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Naharni is a smart, hard working winger whose communication on field provides excellent guidance and direction for her teammates,” Cobham said.
“She is a disciplined and committed athlete who sets high standards for herself and teammates.
“Naharni first represented the first 14 in 2021 and she has been a member of the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy since 2018.”
Lila Parr
2022 touch football achievements: Selected in the Sunshine Coast U20 Women’s team (National Touch League), Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Lila possesses elite passing skills on both sides and has the ability to break a game open with excellent vision,” Cobham said.
“She stands out as a player who is happy to perform her role for the team but is able to be a dominant force when required.
“Lila first represented the first 14 as a 15-year-old in 2021 and has been a member of the Chancellor Touch Football Academy since 2018.”
Jemma Dinges
2022 touch football achievements: Selected in the Sunshine Coast U20 Women’s team (National Touch League), Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Jemma is a reliable, hard working middle who is one of the first players picked in teams,” Cobham said.
“Her ability to consistently gain field position accompanied by her defensive work rate and touch football ‘smarts’ make her invaluable to the teams of which she is a member.
“Jemma reads the game really well and possesses a strong passing game.”
U18 Boys
Jordan Bell
2022 touch football achievements: Australian U18 Youth touch football squad member, Queensland Schools U18 player, Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“An outstanding 18-month period has seen Jordan rewarded with selection in the Australian U18 Youth touch football squad and also the Queensland Schools U18 team,” Cobham said.
“Jordan possesses a skill set unlike many others, where he is a threat to opposition teams through his short game and dive but he also has the ability to a hit a target with his impressive passing game.
“He works hard on all elements of his game including fitness, and his is a name we expect to hear more of in the game of touch football in years to come.
“Jordan has been a Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy member since 2017.”
Kynan Samuelsen
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player, Sunshine Coast U18 club player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“A tall, fit and fast athlete, Kynan excels at both touch football and tennis,” Cobham said.
“He possesses great speed off the mark and also an excellent long passing game that is often used to set up touchdowns for teammates.
“He has represented both Sunshine Coast Schools and club in the U18 boys division in 2022 and he is also a contributor to the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy off the field, as well where he has assisted with trials of younger students and also with refereeing.
“Kynan has been an important member of the school Touch Football Academy since he started in 2019.”
Jared Jackson
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player, Sunshine Coast U16 club player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Jared is a strong cricketer who has also made his mark on the game of touch football over the past 18 months,” Cobham said.
“His fitness, speed and also ability to put himself in the right position at the right time make him an attacking threat and also a strong defender.
“Jared is an outstanding young talent who has taken the sport by storm since first playing in 2020, when he first joined the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy.”
Beau Mathews
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U18 player, Sunshine Coast U16 club player and Chancellor State College first 14 player.
“Beau is an outstanding athlete who possesses great acceleration and footwork,” Cobham said.
“As one of the fittest students in his team, he is able to contribute in a positive manner for long periods of time.
“Beau has played in the Sunshine Coast Schools U18 team and the Sunshine Coast U16 club team in 2022.
“He offers versatility as a player and he has been a member of the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy since 2019.”
U15 Girls
Billie Missen
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U15 player and Chancellor State College U15 girl’s player and captain.
“Billie is a lead by example type of player, a tough competitor who always gives 100 per cent,” Cobham said.
“A talented athlete across a number of sports, Billie quickly made her mark in touch football shortly after starting in the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy in 2020.
“Her ability to create space and use her vision often creates opportunities for teammates to score tries.”
Mia Riley
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U15 girls player and Chancellor State College U15 girls player.
“Mia has had a big 12 months making her mark in the game with selection in the Sunshine Coast club U14 team in 2021 before earning Sunshine Coast schools selection in 2022,” Cobham said.
“Mia is a hard-running athlete who can play in any position on the touch field where she commits to giving her all.”
“Her team-orientated approach means that she is happy to perform whatever role the team needs at the time.”
U15 Boys
Jarvis Wood
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U15 player and Chancellor State College U15 player.
“After a strong last 24 months in touch football, Jarvis, an exceptionally talented rugby union player, has had a breakout year in 2022.
“He was selected in the Sunshine Coast Schools U15 team and also captained the Chancellor State College U15 boys team,” Cobham said.
“His ability to read the game, create scoring opportunities and work hard defensively make him an excellent addition to our college teams.
“Jarvis has an excellent passing game and he has been a member of the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy since 2019.”
Willem Poulus
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U15 player and Chancellor State College U15 player.
“Willem has had a huge year making the Sunshine Coast Schools U15 team as well as the Sunshine Coast U16 club team,” Cobham said.
“He has developed into an excellent working defensive link who is rarely beaten when defending on the line.
“Willem has enjoyed a successful past 12 months thanks largely to the hard work done in training.
“We are expecting to see Willem continue to create a pathway for himself as he continues through his high schooling journey.
“Willem has been a member of the Chancellor State College Touch Football Academy since 2020.”
U12 Girls
Bronte Pennells
2022 touch football achievements: Sunshine Coast Schools U12 girls player and Chancellor State College U13 girls player.
“A talented athlete across a number of sports, Bronte is actually a member of the Chancellor State College Football/Futsal Academy,” Cobham said.
“She possesses the rare ability to be good at all sports that she turns her attention to.
“Bronte holds good footwork and a dangerous step that makes her a threat for opposing teams when she is attacking the line.”
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