BRIGHT FUTURES: 11 Glennie School students chasing their sporting dreams
No matter their chosen sport, the students at The Glennie School are giving their all and achieving incredible things. We catch up with 11 young students destined for greatness.
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THE next generation of sporting stars are right here in Toowoomba.
The Chronicle sat down with 11 bright young talents from The Glennie School as they chase their sporting dreams.
ISABELLA KINGS (Year 11)
The feats of Isabella Kings continue to wow in the pool.
The 15-year-old turned heads by breaking a Darling Downs record by 10 seconds in breaststroke, carrying on her love of the water from a very young age.
“I started swimming when I was six months old,” she said.
“The love of the water and the sport, and so many of my friends were swimming so I decided to start.”
Kings has shown an exceptional level of talent through her relatively early years in the pool, including breaking regional records and earning her place at the nationals.
“I’m going to the nationals in Adelaide in April and I’ve made it two years previously,” she said.
“I’ve made state finals and won a bronze medal last year for breaststroke.
“The first year (at nationals) we couldn’t go because of Covid. Last year I went and it was so nerve-racking and we went to the Gold Coast where the Commonwealth Games were held.”
An experience within the sport has allowed Kings to develop a maturity to help her identify and overcome the tough times and pressures associated with competitive meet swimming.
“I want to achieve more, like when I go to nationals I want to have a better experience and control my nerves better,” she said.
“Because I rank quite high I get so nervous that I’m not going to perform as well, but I know that I’ve put the training in and I know that I can get there.
“I’ve developed a strategy behind the blocks of deep breaths and focus, just trying to be relaxed.
“I want to keep swimming when I’m in Year 12 and hopefully when I go off to uni I can train with older people that can push me more and encourage me.”
ZOE WATERS (Year 11)
It was a family connection that helped Zoe Waters get involved in touch football, and a dedication that has kept her involved.
The 16-year old has loved the chance to play with her family, something that has netted huge success at a local level.
“I’ve been playing competitively since I was eight, but growing up my family has been in touch, so I’ve been playing since I was little,” she said.
“On Saturday’s we have the women’s competition and I started playing for Saints because of my family.
“We won it last year in A-grade and hopefully this year as well.”
It’s at club level where Waters has the opportunity to play alongside some local legends, and experience she is making the most of.
“In our Saints team I play with Shenae Ciesiolka, Jada (Ferguson) and Georgina Rackemann who have played for Australia.
“You learn a lot from them, especially playing with them and trying to keep up and learn their game style.”
Waters has become a regular in representative teams, including an honour that has been her proudest to date.
“I’ve made Darling Downs since I was little as well as Toowoomba Twisters and SWQ Swans which led me into Titans,” she said.
“This year I was selected into the national squad for U18s which has been my biggest achievement.
“I was so excited. I found out before a race at athletics. I was excited for days.
“At the start of next term I’m in the U20s for NTL in Coffs Harbour, so they (selectors) will come and have a look at that.”
Waters said she loves the discipline involved in the sport, and wants to keep pushing for further in the future.
“I love it as a team sport,” she said.
“There’s a lot of skills you can get out of it, commitment to training and keeping fit.
“I’m aiming to make the Australian team, if not this year then in the future, that’s a really big goal for me.”
JESSICA ROWE (Year 12)
Perhaps it was always destiny that Jessica Rowe and the hammer throw would go hand-in-hand.
An athletics background for the 16-year-old saw her progress to the discipline when she was allowed, and Rowe hasn’t looked back.
“I’ve been doing it for about eight years now,” she said.
“I had an amazing coach and I started doing shot put and discus. I had to be 13 to start doing hammer throw.
“It was something that I had seen other people do and it caught my interest.”
As soon as Rowe picked up the sport she knew she was at home.
Her talent shone through from an early stage that has resulted in a pair of national titles to her name.
“I loved it from the very beginning,” she said.
“It was something that I really enjoyed doing and I just progressed.
“The first year I won at nationals and the second year I came second and then last year I won. That was really exciting because every time it has that same rush.
“It’s amazing, but it doesn’t really feel any different. It doesn’t change how I see the sport. I do it because I enjoy it, not because of medals or positions.”
It’s a profound outlook towards the sport which is paying dividends for Rowe, as she prepares for another big season ahead on the track.
“We have the nationals in a couple of weeks and then the goal from there is to qualify for Oceania and make an Australian team,” she said.
“My family is really supportive. My dad takes me to all my competitions. My mum calls me after every competition.
“The 2032 Olympics is the goal. That would be absolutely amazing to represent Australia and it’s a goal I’ve had for a really long time.”
KATELYN COLLIE (Year 12)
The surname is synonymous with country rugby league, but Katelyn Collie is looking further ahead and striving for the big time.
Playing in the front row, Collie said she is no stranger to the rough stuff in the middle of the field.
“I’ve been playing since I was eight,” she said.
“I started out with the Miles Devils and then moved to Toowoomba and joined Highfields.
“I love the contact and the experiences with the girls. I’ve grown up around footy. My dad played out west and I’ve just been a part of the game ever since I was little.”
Collie experienced the joys of a premiership success in the TJRL U17s with Highfields last year.
It marked a big season for Collie where she was also chosen to represent the Queensland Country U17s girls.
“It’s a good experience and I love playing with the girls,” she said.
“We played City and came away with the win which was good. I’d like to make the Country team again this year and I’m hoping to make the U19s Maroons team, but I’m a bit young so we’ll see how this goes.”
The pathway to the top is as clear as it has ever been for progressive female league players, and Collie is hoping to take advantage of that in the years ahead.
“Seeing the opportunities now with the NRLW and having actual girl leaders and seeing them play, like Shenae Ciesiolka coming from Glennie and playing NRL is amazing.
“I’m excited that this opportunity is open for us to go.
“I’d really love to play for the Broncos, but it would be great to play anywhere in the NRLW.”
BETHANY CASEY (Year 10)
For some mastering one sport is difficult enough, let alone seven.
14-year-old Bethany Casey is doing just that, competing in one of the most gruelling events in athletics, the heptathlon.
“I started at the end of last year at states,” she said.
“That was my first competition and then I did it again at nationals at the start of the year.
“There’s seven different events - shot put, javelin, long jump, high jump, hurdles, 200m and 800m.
“When I was aged 10-12 I made the nationals for tetrathlon and then stops once you get past 12, so I went to heptathlon.”
While acknowledging the pressures associated with such an event, Casey said her training has helped her become accustomed to the task at hand.
“I’ve been good at multiple events so I just wanted to put it all together,” she said.
“It’s nerve-racking because you have to do it other two days. So you need to wait that night because you’ve only done half of them and then get up the next day to do the next half.
“My family are really supportive. They take me where I need to go to and help me train. I train at Glennie with Rod (Franke). It’s really helped my athletics.”
Despite being able to master seven different events on the athletics circuit, Casey finds the time to be able to play another.
A keen netballer as well, the Year 10 student wants to continue making an impact in both codes.
“I’d like to make nationals for the next few years and do better at it. I’d like to come in the top 10,” she said.
“I play netball as well so I’d like to do that and athletics after school.
“Currently I play for Toowoomba in the state age and for Domino’s on the weekend.”
RUBY LEICHT (Year 10)
The Leicht family is fast developing a penchant for wearing the colour maroon.
Ruby has followed in the footsteps of her family to create her own state path on the sporting field.
“I started playing when I was four,” she said.
“My mum played for Queensland and my sisters did as well.
“I’ve made the Queensland team twice, including last year but we didn’t get to go away due to Covid.
“I love making new friends and all the opportunities you get.”
With multiple rep jerseys comes many trips away, an aspect of her success that Leicht has enjoyed.
“I’ve been playing in Ipswich and Brisbane comps with the Swans and Twisters,” she said.
“It’s nice to play in a different environment. With every new club you get a new team so it’s good to meet new people.”
Leicht is ambitious when it comes to touch football and the future, hoping the sport can get the nod to be showcase on the biggest stage of them all.
“When the Olympics comes to Brisbane, hopefully it is part of the Olympics then,” she said.
“To represent Australia would be pretty cool.
“I do want to make the squad. I’m not old enough yet to make the team so that would be good.”
As well as her exploits on the touch field, Leicht has enjoyed a successful career in athletics, particularly the long jump.
“I was an Australian champion in long jump about two years ago,” she said.
“My sisters, my mum and my dad also did it.
“I haven’t really been able to compete in Queensland or anything due to Covid. A couple of weeks ago I was at states and was able to place in three events.”
PYPAH FERGUSON (Year 10)
Juggling one sport can be tough and two a struggle, but Pypah Ferguson makes three look effortless.
The 14-year-old currently competes in netball, rugby league and Rugby Sevens, making time to succeed in all three.
“It’s a struggle and sometimes it clashes, but you just pick and go day by day,” she said.
“There’s a lot of training and work you have to put in, as well as manage school, but it’s fun. I love playing all three sports and having a good time.
“I started with netball when I was four or five years old, then did club touch for a while. When I got to 12 I started league with the girls comp that came in, and started sevens as well.”
Ferguson grew up with league around her, and when the time was right she made the leap into the sport.
“My family is such a league family. I grew up with it,” she said.
“My brothers played and my sister did DD coming through as well. I wanted to be like them.
“I’m loving it. It’s so good to play, especially with the girls comp, it’s growing and my sister (Jada Ferguson) and cousin (Shenae Ciesiolka) are playing NRLW.
“It’s so good to see where the women’s competition is headed.”
“I’m doing all the netball in the region I can do,” she said.
“I’m doing the EPL with the Panthers which is a Brisbane comp which will be good as well.”
While she knows a time may come in the future when it is time to decide, Ferguson said she is just enjoying the chance to keep doing what she loves.
“I want to keep doing all three and see how far I can go with them before choosing,” she said.
“There’s not much development in league until you hit that 16s, 17s age group for Clydesdales, so I’ll wait until then and see what I enjoy most.
“Hopefully one day I can play with my big sister.”
KATE ROPER (Year 9)
The young hockey talent within the ranks of Toowoomba is electric, and Kate Roper is part of the new wave incoming.
The 14-year-old is currently playing for the Past High J1 team, a sport she has been involved in from a young age.
“I’ve been playing since I was seven,” she said.
“The rest of my family, my cousins and parents all play hockey so it was like a tradition.”
Her family has been prominent in Queensland teams of late, and Roper was overjoyed when she got the opportunity to embrace a similar path.
“My cousins have played for lots of state teams,” she said.
“When I got to play for Queensland I was really happy because I got to follow them.
“I was really excited because I was out having morning tea and I had been reloading the team lists all day.
“Last year we were meant to go to Tasmania but we didn’t because of Covid.”
Roper wants to continue pushing for the top of the sport and continue learning from friends along the way.
“This year I’ll have the opportunity to go for the rep team for U15s, so I’d like to get to that number one Toowoomba level,” she said.
“Hopefully I can then get selected for a state squad.
“I’m friends with some of the girls that are playing those higher levels, so I want to join them.
“We do different training sessions for different groups where some of the more experienced people help us out there.”
STELLA SUEY (Year 9)
It always seemed like destiny that Stella Suey would excel on the hockey pitch.
The 13-year-old comes from a long line of talent in the sport, as she carves out her own path.
“I’ve been playing since I was four and it’s been a family thing,” she said.
“My cousins started playing and they wanted to get Stella and Charlie to come and play. I’ve loved it.
“Not many of my friends played it so it’s interesting to tell them about it and I’ve managed to talk a few of them into trying it.”
Despite her young age, Suey has been able to step up to the senior level of hockey in Toowoomba, last year making her debut for Norths at the A1 level.
“Coaches told me the Club Glenvale Challenge would be good for me to try and play with people at different clubs,” she said.
“I tried that last year and I was the youngest by about three years. My cousin plays A-grade for Norths and it was good to be able to play with her and get that experience.
“It’s really helped with my confidence. If I can play up against A-grade women, it’s good for learning and developing my skills.”
Suey is no stranger to the rep uniform of the Darling Downs and Queensland, however the pandemic has hit harder than most in terms of being able to travel.
“I’ve made rep teams since I was eight in the Toowoomba U11s team,” she said.
“When I was 12 I was picked in the Queensland Schoolgirls team to go to Canberra but Covid cancelled that.
“In Gympie last year I was named as player of the tournament and picked in one of the Queensland teams to travel to Hobart, which was postponed and then cancelled.
“I’ve recently been picked in the Queensland U15s second team and we’re going away to Newcastle in a few weeks time.”
It’s something Suey would love to pursue in the future, with an eye to keep her spot in the maroon.
“If I go to uni in Brisbane I’d love to play for club down there,” she said.
“I’d love to keep making Queensland teams going up through the grades.”
MYA GILBERT (Year 10)
Early mornings and dedication are all part of the parcel for Mya Gilbert and chasing her swimming dreams.
The 14-year-old has taken to the sport from a young age, lifting her to the heights of national championships and even the chance to compete at the world swimming trials.
“I’ve been swimming for about 10 years,” she said.
“My mum was a swimmer and all my siblings got into it. I started competitively when I was six.”
Gilbert’s excellence in the pool has seen her advance to the biggest stage, where she is again set to tackle Australia’s best in April.
“Last year I got into the age nationals and competed there for the 100 backstroke, and will be off to Adelaide,” she said.
“I’ve made the Darling Downs team for about six years and hold the 200m backstroke 13 years DD record.”
Gilbert now finds herself enjoying the finer things of her chosen sport, with technique from another keen passion helping her abilities in the pool.
“The friends that I’ve made has been great,” she said.
“When I was younger I was pretty competitive, but now a little bit less. If I continue swimming (after school) I want to keep having fun with and enjoying what I’m doing.
“I’ve done dance since prep and have always really liked it. You have to be graceful in the technique with dancing, and I’ve been told the way I move in the water is good, so that has definitely helped.”
Attention for Gilbert now turns to a bumper schedule, with states and nationals at various levels firmly on her radar.
BIANCA MARKHAM (Year 11)
One of Toowoomba’s brightest softball prospects, Bianca Markham has her sights set on reaching the top.
The 16-year-old was recognised as the junior rising star recently at the Sports Darling Downs awards, a nod to her longstanding dedication.
“I’ve been playing since I was seven and got into it from mum’s friends from uni,” she said.
“It was a really good sport to make friends in and I enjoyed it. It’s the reason I’m still in it now.
“I didn’t think when I was younger that I would be this successful, but I’m really privileged to be where I am now.”
An incredible amount of ability has lifted Markham to the heights of an Australian underage selection, before circumstances beyond her control put an end to her plans.
“I got selected in the U14s Australian Diamonds squad that was supposed to go to the USA,” she said.
“That turned into the U15s that was eventually cancelled. Obviously it’s disappointing not being able to go, especially in tournaments as big as that, but my time will come and that gives me motivation to work even harder.
“More recently I was named in the U16s and U18s Queensland team, and we’ll be going to Sydney in the holidays.”
Markham’s talents took her to Brisbane this season, where she has been able to seamlessly show she can mix it with the open class players.
“This season I played down in the Brisbane comp in U16s, U18s, A2 and A1,” she said.
“The finals were cancelled due to flooding, but we finished on top as minor premiers in three divisions.
“I got the opportunity through an injury to one of the A1 players, and to get that chance at opens alongside state level players and those that have played for the Australian Spirit, it’s a great experience.”
As for the future, Markham would love the opportunity to study and play in America, with one of the world’s premier leagues also within her sights.
“After school I want to go over to the USA to study and play college sport,” she said.
“If I had a choice it would be Oklahoma because they’re a really dominant team and have been number one for a while, but wherever I get to would be a great opportunity.
“The professional league in Japan is a goal one day. They have a season that goes for about half the year and they are paid well.”
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