Sunshine Coast football: Region’s top 28 rising stars
The next generation of Sunshine Coast rising football talent has been identified by coaches and clubs across the region. See all the names.
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Sunshine Coast club coaches turned talent scouts have identified 28 of the region’s rising football stars that could one day play on the world stage.
From Noosa to Glasshouse, our experts have identified their top junior talents that are set to have breakout seasons or continue their success.
The list is in no particular order and each player identified has comments from their coach or club personnel.
All clubs were approached before the time of publishing.
Kawana FC
Bayley Jackson
Age/Division: U17 Division 1
Position: Midfield
“Bayley is defensively sound and excellent at winning one-on-one contests,” coaches said.
“Controlling the midfield, his vision is a stand out and he has a knack for seeing things that are about to happen which makes him dangerous on the park.
“His passing is accurate and skilful and provides that key link between the team’s attack and defence.
“He’s the team’s top scorer this season with nine goals however it’s the importance of those goals with many of them coming in the final minutes to win games or force a draw.
“He has been rewarded with time on the bench this season for the club’s FQPL under 23s.”
Luke Green
Age/Division: U15 Division 1
Position: Left Wing/Back
“Luke is a natural left footer so it’s no surprise he plays on the left and can slot in to play attack or defence depending on the team set up,” coaches said.
“‘Greeny’ as he is affectionately known has size, pace, determination, and natural athleticism which makes him more than a handful for the opposition teams.
“He scores goals from anywhere on the park but is particularly dangerous any time the team wins a free kick from 20-30 yards.
“He is an exciting player and despite being aged 14 for most of this season, he has filled in for the under-17s Division 1 team and doesn’t look out of place.
“A bit of a larrikin, he is responsible for bringing the hype music into the dressing rooms prior to every match, but needs to work on his singing and dancing.”
Lucy Lorraway
Age/Division: U13 Girls Division 1
Position: Centre Back/Defensive Midfielder
“Lucy plays as a centre back or a defensive midfielder, and possesses one of the longest kicks in her division,” coaches said.
“She regularly cleans up at the back and thwarts dangerous attacks.
“Her dribbling skill and ability to keep the ball is impressive and her flair when turning defence into attack can quickly shift the momentum of the game.
“She absolutely lives for football and shows real leadership on the field with her determination and uncompromising defence.
“Some very exciting times ahead for female football at Kawana FC.”
Antonella Lalli
Age/Division: U13 Girls Division 1
Position: Attacking Midfielder
“Antonella was born to play football with her creativity and vision beyond her years,” coaches said.
“Her ability to beat players one-on-one while retaining control of the ball on a regular basis is a delight to watch.
“Antonella has the natural talent to look up and play what is in front of her and react to it.
“Her decision making is exceptional and is the team’s leading goal scorer for the 2022 season.
“A player of the future and one to watch in the coming years.”
Max Coutanche
Age/Division: U13 Division 1
Position: Central Midfielder
“Max is predominantly a central midfielder and captain of our under-13 Division 1 team,” coaches said.
“He’s super competitive, has mastery ball skills, is great defensively and is exceptional in one-on-one situations.
“His creativity and vision is a standout and he has the ability to find a killer pass.
“His versatility and ability to play multiple positions makes him a pleasure to coach.
“A real leader on the field.”
Buderim Wanderers FC
Noah Crosby
Division: U14 Division 1
Position: Left back
“Noah is an integral part of an exceptional defensive unit,” coaches said.
“He dominates his space on the park, he closes down most attacking raids, then usually wins the ball and facilitates the transition of the team into an attacking formation which he does extremely well.
“What he lacks in physical size he makes up for with elite fitness and first rate situational awareness.
“A quality footballer, a good mind for the game and someone to watch develop further.”
Blake Young
Division: U13 Division 1
Position: Centre Back
“A robust central defender, Blake is a natural leader that regularly demonstrates his composure on the ball coupled with stern defensive resilience,” coaches said.
Caelan Lewis
Division: U17 Division 1
Position: Centre Back
“Caelan is an attack orientated defender who has inserted himself into enemy lines a number of times this season and scored a number of classy goals,” coaches said.
“From a coaching perspective Caelan is a young man who has worked through his own personal issues and now possesses a desire to do as best he can with what he has been given.
“Caelan is an emerging leader within a strong pack and is one of the most determined footballers I have had the pleasure to coach.”
Bailey Land
Division: U15 Division 1
Position: Centre Back
“Bailey possesses all the tools to take his football to the highest level,” coaches said.
“Skilful and composed on the ball, Bailey is a standout player on the pitch.
“A natural born leader who can organise his team and steps up when needed.
“If he continues working hard, the sky's the limit.”
Ely Mitchell
Age/Division: U13 Division 2 (although U12 playing up)
Position: Right Wing, Striker, Central Midfielder
“Ely is an exceptionally talented footballer with the added benefit of a pronounced work ethic and personal drive,” coaches said.
“He possesses composure and elegance on the ball, a matured game intelligence, and is easily one of the fastest 12 year olds on the Sunshine Coast if not in Queensland.
“He’s a total team player and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ely play at an international level one day.”
Caloundra FC
Hailey Paxevanos
Age/Division: U14 but plays in the FQPL U23 Women's
Position: Striker or Wing
“She is a very talented 14-year-old player who joined Caloundra FC wishing to play senior female football,” President Nic Basile said.
“Unfortunately she had to wait until half way through the season, when she turned 14, and on the day of her birthday, Hailey made her debut for our under 23’s FQPL3 women's team.
“Since then, Hailey has been a regular feature even scoring three goals this season.
“Hailey is fast and skilful with a great shot, has plenty of composure and is very coachable.”
Coolum Football Club
Scarlett Clayton
Age/Division: U13 Division 1 Girls
Position: Goalkeeper
“With some of the safest hands on the Coast, Scarlett is a well loved character within her team,” coaches said.
“She has an abundance of potential to go further with her football if she desires.
“Scarlett is in the Sunshine Coast FQ Cup Team.”
Taj Fletcher
Age/Division: U13 Division 1 Boys
Position: Centre Back
“A young leader in his age group and a player we have identified to have potential to be a future club captain,” coaches said.
“Taj is strong, influential and must strike fear into the hearts of strikers all over the coast.”
Leon Grant
Age/Division: U13 Division 1 Boys
Position: Winger
“Quick and skilful, with a good eye for a pass, Leon is one of the club’s stand out young performers,” coaches said.
“Leon will play in this year’s Sunshine Coast FQ Cup team for under-13 boys.”
Aidan Forman
Age/Division: U15 Division 1 Boys
Position: Centre Back
“Aidan is captain of the under-15 side and has impressed so much that this year he has been rewarded by playing several games in the under-23 division and has made his Coolum Football Queensland Premier League Men’s team debut,” coaches said.
“His never say die attitude and resolute character have been instrumental in the under-15s’ run toward finals football.”
Will Graham
Age/Division: U17 FQPL3
Position: Midfield
“Will has only just turned 17 recently and has skipped playing football in his age group to be a consistent player in the midfield for Coolum’s Premier Men’s team,” coaches said.
“Will inspires other young players at the club to work hard and our juniors look up to him as a leader within the club.”
Noosa Lions FC
Daniel Dawes
Age/Division: U13 Division 1
Position: Central Midfielder
“Daniel is a centre midfielder who covers every inch of the pitch, a true box to box player,” coaches said.
“He’s left footed but competent on both sides and with an eye for that killer pass.
“He always wants the ball, and if he doesn't have it, he always shows and calls for the pass from teammates.
“He hasn’t played a team yet that have managed to contain him.”
Noah Dowling
Age/Division: U14 Division 1
Position: Attacking Midfielder
“Possessing all of the elements you can't teach, Noah is quickly growing into the complete footballer,” coaches said.
“He has quick feet, an excellent touch and brilliant game awareness.
“Match all of that with his great team spirit and willingness to learn, he certainly is one of Noosa’s juniors to watch in the future.”
Gympie United FC
Cooper Hall
Age/Division: U13 Division 2
Position: Striker
“Cooper is a great positional player, with a natural finishing ability,” coaches said.
“He has scored 39 goals to date in the current 2022 season, to lead the scoring for the club.
“Cooper is the team captain who always motivates the team and leads the team from the front through his own efforts.”
Billy Merton
Age/Division: U13 Division 2
Position: Left Wing
“Billy displays great attacking and defensive skills,” coaches said.
“He has scored 20 goals to date in the current season.
“He is a good team player and always gives 100 per cent.
“He has the ability to read the play well and is always in the right position at the right time.”
Ben Sunday
Age/Division: U14 Division 3
Position: Centre Back
“Ben is a reliable defender, who has a natural ability to read the game well,” coaches said.
“He also has the ability to push forward and attack when the opportunity arises.
“Ben is relatively new to the game, but is progressing very well, and looks to have a good future in the game.”
Joshua Pratt
Age/Division: U17 Division 1
Position: Centre Midfield/Left Wing/Striker
“Although Josh is only 15-years-old, he plays in the under-17 competition,” coaches said.
“Josh is versatile player who can handle several positions.
“He displays good ball skills and attacking abilities, and is also a great goal scorer.
“Josh played for Buderim Wanderers last year in the second-tier SEQ competition, but returned to Gympie and the Sunshine Coast competition this year.”
Lily Hamilton
Age/Division: U13 Girls Division 1
Position: Centre Midfield
“Lily has a high level of skill for an 11-year-old,” coaches said.
“Lily is a solid defender in the middle, who uses her great footwork and ball skills in attack.
“She is a team player, who has good vision and uses that to her advantage, to find gaps with ease, and play good through balls to our edge players and striker.
“Lily has found the back of the net on nine occasions this season.
“Lily has been very impressive in her first year of competitive play for Gympie United, and represented the under-12 girls Wide Bay team this year.”
Aleisha Manthey
Age/Division: U13 Girls Division 1
Position: Goalkeeper/Striker
“Aleisha joined our under-13 girls team for her first season of football this year,” coaches said.
“Aleisha has a natural skill set that gives her the ability to mix it up and play goalkeeper or striker.
“She reads the play well when in goals and has quick reflexes that she uses to her advantage.
“Aleisha is a team player, who loves to mix it up with the team, and when given the opportunity to strike upfront, displays goal scoring class.”
Woombye FC
Toby Emerson
Age/Division: Under 13s Division 1
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Striker
“Toby is a remarkable young man who has shown exceptional skills and knowledge of the game beyond his years,” coaches said.
“Toby leads by example both on and off the field, leading the way as captain and inspiring his teammates to never give up, encouraging good sportsmanship and resilience.
“Toby has the capacity to change the leaderboard with his ability to find the back of the net with his long-range shots and continues to be our biggest threat for the opposition.
“Toby was selected to represent the Sunshine Coast Region in 2022 FQ Community Cup Tournament.”
Isaac Brooks
Age/Division: Under 13s Division 1/Division 2
Position: Striker/Winger
“Isaac is a courageous and uprising star on the pitch and although he is only 11-years-old, playing two divisions above his age, he is one of the leading goal scorers,” coaches said.
“He may be half the size of the opposition; however, he shows grit, resilience, skill and determination which presents as a force to be reckoned with.
“Isaac has a remarkable shot from long range, and his ability to assist with sensational corners.
“He has the potential to go all the way with his football as his attitude, effort, and commitment is outstanding.”
Maroochydore Swans FC
Bella McIntyre
Age/Division: Under 13 Girls Division 1
Position: Central Defender/Reserve Goalkeeper
“Bella is a hard working defender, always cool under pressure while playing insightful football, turning defence into attack with quick thinking and accurate passing,” coaches said.
“Bella plays above her age and delivers every game.
“She has been selected twice now to represent her club for FQ Community Cup and has excelled at school football.”
Noah Quilty
Age/Division: Under 14 Division 1
Position: Centre back
“Noah is a superb footballer blessed with great pace,” coaches said.
“To go along with speed Noah is also a strong carrier of the ball, he never stops competing and does everything to win the ball back for the team.
“He may play in defence most weeks but that hasn't stopped him scoring goals and supporting the attack as he can step forward on the pitch to create overloads.
“Noah has been selected in the Community Cup team for his age group and plays for his school team as well.”
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