Fairholme College collects hat-trick of senior sporting honours at Sports Darling Downs awards

With a diverse range of Darling Downs and Queensland representatives across multiple sports, Fairholme College’s sports program came to the fore in 2021.

The Fairholme College cross country team. Photo: Fairholme College

FAIRHOLME College has prided itself on consistency across the board, and another big year of representation has lifted them to another big honour.

The school claimed its third straight Senior School of the Year award at the Sports Darling Downs awards, with head of sport Tony Tregaskis praising the dedication of students and coaches for claiming the honour.

“Part of it is the students’ commitment to training and always wanting to do better,” Tregaskis said.

“We’ve got the same thing happening from our coaches. Their dedication helps them improve in technique, speed and skillset.

“We’ve had great success in AFL, T20 cricket, cross country, equestrian, netball, Rugby Sevens and touch football. It’s been a really successful run.

“What happens when you have success in those senior age groups, it ripples through to other ages. They want to be like that person playing touch for Queensland or who is the best netballer in Toowoomba.”

Fairholme had a representation of 73 girls with the Darling Downs and 13 with Queensland throughout the year.

With a number of past students going on to greater honours, Tregaskis said having these role models in the spotlight, and giving of their time to return to the school, had served as the biggest inspiration.

“There are some girls in Year 12 who would’ve seen our Olympic gold medallists from Rio,” he said.

“They came back to the school after the Olympics with their Australian gear and their medals.

“Things like that stick in the minds of the little ones and gives them the ambitions to be the best they can be.

“At the moment we’re offering a range of sports and committing to inter-school and statewide comps.

“We’ve implemented a speed, power and strength program six years ago that is really starting to show some good results. Having that person full time helps the girls with any aspirations beyond just their skillset.”

Ella Wilson. Picture: Kevin Farmer

ELLA WILSON CLAIMS TOP JUNIOR GONG

IT started by chasing her dreams, and now Ella Wilson’s Sports Darling Downs journey has come full circle.

The 16-year-old distance runner was crowned as the Junior Sports Star of the year for 2021, two years after taking out the Chase Your Dreams award, with the young running star overjoyed with the feat.

“I was really happy to win it,” Wilson said.

“There was a lot of great athletes nominated so it was great to get it.”

Wilson’s biggest success for the year came at the Australian Championships in Sydney, where she claimed gold in the U16s 1500 and 3000m events, and silver in the 800m.

“I was happy with my results,” she said.

“I had three events over four days. It gets pretty hard. By the last day I was pretty tired, but it was good fun.”

The immediate focus now shifts to cross country season for Wilson, before she is hoping to replicate her heroics at the nationals, under the tutelage of her father.

“My dad is my coach at the moment,” she said.

“He’s really good and helpful and I feel like I have a better relationship with him.

“I’m focusing on cross country season now and hopefully I can go to the nationals there.

“Nationals (track) are on the radar, and I’d like to keep on improving my times.

“There’ll be a fair few events that I will enter.”

As for her advice for the young athletes coming through ranks.

“Consistency is key to keeping your motivation and chasing your goals.”