Seven years to 2032: Olympics sparks sporting dreams for Townsville stars

With seven years to go until the 2032 Olympics, a keen 11-year-old Townsville soccer star has already told his parents to start saving up for tickets to watch him play on the world stage.

Currajong State School captain Gussippie Rupena, 11, is on a path to play soccer in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Shae Beplate.

With seven years to go until the 2032 Olympics, keen Townsville stars of the future already have their sights set on glory.

11-year-old Gussippie Rupena, who plays for Brothers FC and is also a member of the Jeremy Brockie Football Academy, is dreaming of taking part in the biggest sporting spectacle in the world and has already told his parents to save up to buy tickets to watch him represent Australia in soccer.

Currajong State School student leaders Gussippie Rupena, 11, Oscar Haddon, 11, Darcy Meale, 11, and Caitlyn-Ann Soden, 11. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“I’ve been playing since I was in Under-5s and now I play in Under-11s … I love soccer because a lot of the games, they’re entertaining,” he said.

With his favourite players being Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo, Gussippie not only loves the world game but is also a keen futsal player and has travelled to Singapore, The Philippines and across Australia to compete.

Currajong State School captain Gussippie Rupena, 11, is on a path to play soccer in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The school captain of Currajong State School, Gussippie said the announcement of Townsville hosting football games was “very exciting”.

Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole said the Olympics was the perfect inspiration for the next generation of Townsville’s sporting stars.

“North Queensland has always been such a strong sporting community and that is shown and proven by the number of Olympians that have come out of Townsville and North Queensland,” she said.

“The talent is being identified now and we see young athletes already on that path.”

State MPs Janelle Poole and Adam Baillie with Currajong State School student leaders, Caitlyn-Ann Soden, 11, Darcy Meale, 11, Gussippie Rupena, 11, and Oscar Haddon, 11, discuss what these Olympics mean to the next generation of athletes. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“This is why we are invested in our young athletes through programs such as Games On! and the $200 Play On! Vouchers, to ensure every child has the opportunity to play sport.”

Townsville MP Adam Baillie said Townsville would benefit from investments into grassroots sports and hopes the countdown to the Olympics will inspire young stars.

“It’s fantastic, it opens their eyes and if kids can see it, they believe it,” he said.

Originally published as Seven years to 2032: Olympics sparks sporting dreams for Townsville stars