BRIGHT FUTURES: Nine Fairholme College students chasing their sporting dreams

The young women of Fairholme College have always enjoyed a strong level of success in sport, and The Chronicle caught up with nine young athletes excelling in their chosen fields. READ THEIR STORIES.

THE young women of Fairholme College have never been strangers to sporting success.

Gold medals and representation on the biggest stage are just some of the achievements of the school's alumni.

The Chronicle caught up with nine students looking to follow in the footsteps of those before them, and carve out their own sporting dreams.

Fairholme College student Amy Williams competes in netball. Picture: Nev Madsen

AMY WILLIAMS (Year 10)

Like many young girls, Amy Williams took to the sport at an early age, with her first taste coming through a junior participation program.

But the 15-year-old admits she wasn’t overly thrilled at first.

“Mum signed me up for NetSetGO and I really didn’t want to go, but she made me,” Amy said.

“There were friends from school that signed up as well and it went from there. I’m definitely glad that she took me.”

She’s stuck with it from that point and it’s proved to be a brilliant decision, with the talent earning her place in state representative squads.

“I’ve made a lot of friends throughout, especially over the past five years.

“I made the Panthers squad as a training partner,” she said.

“I was invited to the Queensland U17s squad last year, and then at the start of this year we had our first camp.

“We learnt a lot about teamwork, communication and a lot of skills.

“The Queensland coach is the current coach of the Panthers (Bec Stower), so there’s definitely a lot of eyes on you.”

Fairholme College student Amy Williams. Picture: Nev Madsen

The goal shooter said her role can be a testing one at times, and despite suffering a setback after an ACL injury, Williams is determined to push through and pursue a career in the sport.

“It can be a bit of pressure sometimes, but other than that it’s really good,” she said.

“In the near future I can’t because I’ve just had knee surgery so I’ve got a year off. I’m nearly three months in. They've (teammates) been really good.

“Definitely later on I want to keep going. I really want to play in the Queensland team when they go to nationals.

“Playing in the Panthers team as starting shooter would be really good.”

Fairholme College student Caitlin Gray competes in pistol shooting. Picture: Nev Madsen

CAITLIN GRAY (Year 11)

Despite competing for just two years, Caitlin Gray has grown through the ranks of her sport at a bullet-like pace.

A family connection was Gray’s first taste of pistol shooting, and she said once she was hooked on the sport, she hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve been doing it for about two years competitively, but I started when I was 12 and got my licence because dad was into it,” Caitlin said.

“I was sort of not into it at first, because I thought ‘Oh yeah, shooting guns just happens on the weekends’ but I grew to get into it and started shooting in competitions.

“It was a lot more dedication than I was expecting, but it’s quite enjoyable to do.”

That passion translated into success, with Gray earning the honour of representing her state.

“Last year where I got selected for this year’s Queensland team at nationals and then I thought ‘Alright, I might be good at this’,” she said.

“I went down to Yarra in Melbourne. I had a good time and placed top 10 in all three of my matches.

Caitlin Gray with brother Oliver go over shooting technique with Australian national team coach Vladimir Galiabovitch (left). Photo: Contributed

The 16-year-old loves how close the sport has brought her family, with trips often made as a group to support her journey to the top.

“The community. We’re all so close and it’s great,” she said.

“My brother and my dad shoot, and my mum is a big supporter of all that.

“We normally all travel to where we’re going to compete, book a hotel and maybe hit up some different places that are there.

“I enjoyed Melbourne. The culture there is amazing. But I always love going to the Gold Coast for opens.”

Gray isn’t putting daunting expectations on herself for the future, but would love the chance to wear the green and gold.

“I’m playing it year by year at the moment, but I definitely would love to be selected in an Australian team,” she said.

“I’d love to travel the world competing in a sport I love doing.”

Fairholme College student Alex Edwards competes in tennis. Picture: Nev Madsen

ALEX EDWARDS (Year 8)

A life on court is one that Alex Edwards has big ambitions towards.

Starting out as a five-year-old, intrigue on car rides helped spur her interest as a young girl to first pick up a racquet.

“I was driving past the tennis courts and it just interested me,” Alex said.

“It’s pretty fun for me.”

The 13-year-old likes the aspect of being able to travel around and do something she loves.

“Most of the tournaments are in Brisbane and the Gold Coast,” she said.

“But I’ve been up to Townsville and Mackay, so it’s pretty fun travelling around.

She might still be on the younger side of her teens, but that hasn’t stopped her from aiming high against those much older.

“My goal for next year is to do well at the U19s schools event,” she said.

“I’m hoping to maybe go to nationals at the end of this year, and I really want to go to Brisbane 2032.

Fairholme College student Alex Edwards. Picture: Nev Madsen

“I’ve played a few open tournaments now and sometimes it’s a bit scary but it’s a good challenge for me.

“I’ve made the second round for most of them so I’ve done pretty well.”

As for her idols, Edwards looks to replicate the tenacity and never say die attitudes of those making it big on the professional scene.

“It was Ash Barty but she retired,” she said.

“Someone like Paula Badosa or Ajla Tomjanovic are two big ones for me.

“They keep fighting until the end and they never give up. Their playing style really suits me.”

While the Olympics is a dream in her mind, Edwards said it would be amazing to travel the world on play on tour as well.

Fairholme College student Lucy Barnes competes in cross country running. Picture: Nev Madsen

LUCY BARNES (Year 4)

Long-distance running is despised by some, but for Lucy Barnes she relishes the chance to get plenty of kilometres under her belt.

Barnes is just nine years old, and it was a stint sitting on the sidelines watching her older siblings in action that spurred her into action.

“I started when I was six and am still going today,” she said.

“My brother and older sister are both runners. I used to feel left out when they started running and I was just here, so I started joining in and I liked it.”

Those first few attempts on the track proved fruitful, and since then she’s been punching well above her age suggests.

“I did it for a couple of times and realised I liked it,” she said.

“I started beating people older than me so I kept doing it.

Fairholme College student Lucy Barnes. Picture: Nev Madsen

This year has seen the young star produce some of her best results yet, which has helped to net her a spot among the best junior runners in Australia.

“I went to Brisbane two weeks ago and I came first in the 2km race,” she said.

“If you finish in the top six, you get to go to nationals. This year they’re in Adelaide.

She said the ultimate dream is the Olympics, and with plenty of hard work along the way, who’s to say she can’t get there.

“I quite enjoy it,” she said.

“I’d love to make it to the Olympics.

“Training is after school. We do quite a lot but it keeps me motivated.”

Fairholme College student Raylee Amos competes in swimming. Picture: Nev Madsen

RAYLEE AMOS (Year 12)

The pool has played a big part in Raylee Amos’ life as she prepares for the last few months of her schooling journey.

Amos has been swimming for the best part of nine years, with the 17-year-old enjoying the camaraderie the community shares.

“It was one of those things where you just progress from Learn to Swim, and it just kind of happened,” Raylee said.

“It’s a good sport to do. It’s fun and it makes you feel good.

“There’s a good culture too. It’s an individual sport, but it’s a team as well. You’ve got your friends and all that kind of thing.”

At this stage of her schooling life Amos is almost a regular at the nationals, and boasts an impressive accolade to her name, as she looks to add more memorabilia to the trophy cabinet.

“I’ve been to nationals four times and I’m also a state medallist in the 50m backstroke,” she said.

“It was pretty exciting and wasn’t expected. It’s definitely rewarding.

“We have shortcourse nationals coming up and then school nationals.”

Fairholme College student Raylee Amos. Picture: Nev Madsen

Amos has a refreshing approach to her future in the sport, with other avenues presenting themselves.

“I would’ve liked to in past years, I would’ve thought about that,” she said.

“Seeing where people in my age group are, there’s a girl named Molly O’Callaghan who’s winning Olympic gold medals.

“I’m not really thinking about it too much. I’d still do it for fun.”

One such avenue is working the sporting field, a career path that has peaked her interest.

“I’m looking forward to doing a gap year and then going to uni hopefully at QUT doing sport and exercise science,” she said.

“Probably analysing athlete’s performance (would be the dream job).”

Fairholme College student Mackenzie Grimes competes in swimming. Picture: Nev Madsen

MACKENZIE GRIMES (Year 8)

It always seemed like destiny that Mackenzie Grimes would be a star in the pool.

Grimes was in the water while still in nappies, with her parents helping her to swim at a young age.

“I started at six months old,” she said.

“My parents just wanted me to learn how to swim early, and now I just love the sport.”

That love has extended to a passion that has seen her net some seriously impressive results in recent times.

“I started getting pretty good last year in December,” Grimes said.

“At the state long-course I came third in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke. It’s just gone well after that.

“I went to nationals in April and placed second in the 50 and 100 backstroke, and second in the 4x50 medley relay.”

Grimes also competes in netball for her school, an outlet she enjoys as a team sport.

Fairholme College student Mackenzie Grimes. Picture: Nev Madsen

Her full focus will shift back to swimming as she chases further glory.

“In a few weeks we have school nationals and I’m hoping to place first in the 50 and 100 backstroke,” she said.

“It’s fun, it’s a good experience and fun to do it with my friends.”

As for the future, the 14-year-old said it would be a dream to one day compete on the stage that her superstar idol has lit up.

“I definitely want to pursue it if I get good results throughout my schooling,” she said.

“I’d like to make it to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

“Kaylee McKeown is my idol. She gets PBs and records in everything, and tries her best.”

Millie Lockwood. Picture: Kevin Farmer

MILLIE LOCKWOOD (Year 9)

A relative newcomer to the netball scene hasn’t stopped Millie Lockwood from finding a home in the sport.

It was just four years ago that Lockwood took up netball, and the goal shooter has taken every step in her stride along the way.

“I played my first game when I was 11 years old and started because I wanted to play a sport with my friends,” she said.

“I love the atmosphere at big carnivals and I have met some wonderful people and made many friends from different places.”

She views family as some of her biggest inspirations, something that has helped her to represent the region among Queensland’s most talented young players.

“My aunty played high level netball and is a huge inspiration to me,” she said.

“But I also look up to Kara Koenen who plays for the Australian Diamonds.

Millie Lockwood. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Making the Darling Downs netball under 16s states titles team as has been my biggest achievement.”

Lockwood takes both a short and long term approach to her goals, with the humility to focus on personal growth, and the aspiration to aim for the top.

“My short term goals include to continue to improve my skills so I can continue to play for many teams,” she said.

“But my long term dream is to play for the Australian Diamonds.”

Fairholme College student Lilli Hamilton. Picture: Fairholme College

LILLI HAMILTON (Year 9)

She’s just 14 years of age, but Lilli Hamilton is already punching above her age in the cricketing scene.

The young star has already reached the heights of first grade cricket in a blossoming career.

Hamilton said an open approach to the sport has helped her to achieve what she has.

“I play cricket for Western Suburbs Districts Cricket Club in Brisbane,” she said.

“I’ve been playing since I was seven and got into cricket because I have always wanted to get outdoors and move.

“It opens a lot of new opportunities, whether it be making teams, meeting new people, or

improving myself as a player and a person.”

Hamilton has proven to be a young star of the Downs, with a representative honour list longer than some books.

She’s cemented her spot in Darling Downs and Queensland rep teams, something she is proud of.

“I made my first representative team when I was nine years old for the U12s Darling Downs schoolgirls,” she said.

“I’m proud of making the U12 Queensland team when I was 11 and going to Adelaide and competing at the nationals, and being chosen in the U19 Queensland development team when I was 14.”

Hamilton respects the work efforts and achievements of the best players in the land, and hopes to one day join that company.

“I don’t really look up to anyone in particular, but I admire the Australian Women’s Teams

and the work they put in,” she said.

“I would love to possibly play in the WBBL for the Brisbane Heat. If not, I would just love to keep playing at a competitive level.”

OLIVIA MARTELL (Year 9)

The schedule of Olivia Martell is routinely kept busy with sporting endeavours, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

The 14-year-old is currently excelling in both athletics and touch football.

“In touch, I have played for Highfields Hurricanes, Fairholme, Toowoomba Twisters and now for South West Queensland Swans,” Olivia said.

“For athletics I am a member of Highfields and District Little Athletics Club and Fairholme Athletics Club.”

Her involvement started young, firstly in the individual pursuit before taking a liking to the team environment.

“As a six-year-old my dad put me into Little Athletics to give it a go and I have continued on with athletics ever since,” she said.

“I began playing touch football when I was 10 to try a team sport with my friends and I still enjoy playing.

“I enjoy how athletics keeps me fit and healthy with the training I do as well as enjoying the aspect of competing and striving for new personal bests.

“I enjoy playing touch football as I love being in a team and competing with my friends together.”

Martell has already had the honour of wearing the maroon of her state on the track, and she has big aspirations on where she would like to get to.

“My proudest achievements would include making the Queensland team and competing at the 2022 Australian Track and Field championships,” she said.

“My ultimate dream would be to compete at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in athletics or another sport that I enjoy. However, before that I would love to compete at more national championships and one day wear the green and gold.”