Revealed: Queensland’s next best junior hockey players to keep an eye on
A glimpse at the best juniors across Queensland has proved the future of Australian hockey is in good hands. DISCOVER OUR FUTURE STARS >>
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A glimpse at the best juniors across Queensland has proved the future of Australian hockey is in good hands.
Queensland has produced some of the best international hockey players over the years 1976 Olympic silver medal winner Greg Browning, to dominant Rockhampton duo Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles, and the likes of Brisbane’s former Hockeyroos captain Madonna Blyth and recent debutant Hannah Cullum-Sanders, who honed her craft in Maryborough.
Now, we take a look at some of the best junior talent from across the state who could be among our next generation of internationals.
BROCK PHILLIP
Club: Townsville Brothers
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 17
Phillip’s positive talk on the field and fearless approach to protecting his goal make him one of the best teammates a player in Queensland could hope for.
He was a part of Australia’s under-18 men’s team No. 2 in 2022 and his whole family are involved in the game, either through playing or coaching.
Phillip was recently named once again in the Queensland Gold under-18s team.
Jeremy Harding
Club: Townsville Brothers
Position: Striker
Age: 18
Known to be ruthless in front of goal, Harding oozes with raw talent and is a loyal teammate.
A talented multi-sport athlete, Harding is also recognised for his talent in cricket – making his senior debut for Wanderers in Townsville’s B grade in 2022 – and Aussie rules football.
Harding played for Townsville’s under-18 boys hockey team in 2023 before he earned selection into the Queensland Gold squad.
Angus Shephard
Club: Townsville Brothers
Position: Striker
Age: 18
Possessing good individual skills, Shephard is a hardworking striker who also studies science and aquaculture at James Cook University.
Shepherd was a member of Queensland’s under-18 boys squad in 2022 and was named as a shadow of the squad this year.
Bree Pendrigh
Club: Townsville Brothers
Position: Attacking midfield
Age: 16
Pendrigh has great hockey IQ and high work ethic, which both shine on the field.
The talented midfielder was born and bred in Cairns before making the move to Townsville in February 2023, meaning this year was Pendrigh’s first state championships wearing the unfamiliar shades of Townsville’s blue and yellow.
Pendrigh has been a national champion with the Queensland under-16 girls in 2022 and the Queensland under-18 girls indoor team in 2023.
Brooke Davis
Club: Wests Townsville
Position: Attacking midfield
Age: 18
Davis has great individual skills and what makes her an even better player is her ability to be coaches. Another intelligent player, Davis is always willing to take feedback on board and she is currently studying medical imagery.
Davis represented Australia with the indoor under-18 girls squad in 2022 and played for the Queensland under-18 girls in 2022.
Sophie Davis
Club: Wests Townsville
Position: Defensive midfield
Age: 16
Sophie Davis is the middle sibling in a family of three girls who will all play in maroon in 2023.
A deceptive player who is fantastic at inside elimination, Davis simply loves to compete and is a great addition to every team she plays on.
Ryan Cartwright
Club: Brothers Hockey Club, Cairns
Position: Midfielder
Age: 17
As a 15-year-old Ryan Cartwright was already nominated as the Cairns Hockey A grade player of the year during the 2021 Cairns Hockey Season. Ryan has got the stick skills to make a lot of players around him look silly, or as his peers like to say “break ankles.” Ryan is not only a strong player on the ball, but also in defence. He is great as a team leader among his peers and not scared to do the work during training. His efforts during training after returning from a shoulder injury in 2021 his all paid off rewarding him
Any rep honours: CHA U18 #1 team, Peninsula U19 School Boys Team, QLD Gold U18 men’s team, QLD U19 School Boys Team
Lachlan Fry
Club: Souths Hockey Club
Position: Defender
Age: 13
The youngest in the current group, Lachlan was elevated by Hockey Queensland from the 2022 U13 Nationals event to represent QLD’s #1 the Maroon team in the U15 Nationals tournament in 2023. Lachlan’s athletic ability, physical strength and fitness puts him levels above his peers. He possesses a big overhead for his age, working on his drag flicking, and is also a machine in the defence.
Any rep honours: Cairns U13 #1 Boys 2022, QLD U13 Team 2022, QLD U15 Team 2023 (Winning Gold at Nationals Event)
Rhiannon Forbes
Club: Brothers Hockey Club, Cairns
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 18
Rhiannon probably made the most saves as a GK from any association during the U18 QLD State Championships. Putting her body on the line never afraid of any striker rather intimidating opposition strikers. Rhiannon is a great communicator organising her defence well.
Any rep honours: Cairns 2023: U18 #1 Rep team, QLD U18 Women Maroon team, Peninsula U19 School Girls.
Talytha MacDonald
Club: Saints Hockey Club
Position: Defender
Age: 18
As solid as a defender can be, possessing one of the best overheads in QLD within her age group. Talytha is always willing to learn and find ways to improve. She never backs down in a contest and leads by example.
Any rep honours: 2022 QLD U18 Women Gold team (winning Gold medal at the U18 Hockey Australia Nationals), 2023 Cairns #1 Team, Peninsula U19 School Girls, QLD U18 Women Gold team
Quintyn Laskey-Vella
Club: Labrador Hockey Club
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 18 & Unders
Quintyn is a specialised goalkeeper in both outdoor and indoor hockey codes.
He plays for Labrador Hockey Club on the Gold Coast and in the Brisbane competition.
The young gun was recently selected in the U18 Queensland team which will travel to Amsterdam for an Elite Goalie Camp this August.
William Powell
Club: Labrador Hockey Club and Burleigh Hockey Club
Position: Midfielder
Age: 18 & Unders
A clear and classy midfielder, Powell boasts a lighting drag flick.
He plays for Burleigh Hockey Club on the Gold Coast and Labrador Hockey in the Brisbane league.
The teen represented the Queensland U21 men’s team who won bronze at the Australian Championships and was named in the equivalent U18 men’s team which will travel to Hobart in July for the Australian championships.
Daniel Evans
Club: Labrador Hockey Club
Position: Striker
Age: 15 & Under
Evans was part of the gold medal winning U15 male Queensland team and competed at the Australian Championships last month.
Tylah Andrews
Club: Hockey Burleigh
Position: Defender
Age: 15
Tylah is a strong defender with a silky slider technique that combines with her exceptional vision to read the game.
At just 15 years of age, she was recently selected in the U18 State women’s team, as well as a ‘Big Hockey Hit Out’ team where athletes are identified for the Brisbane Blaze squad.
Camryn Mathison
Club: Hockey Burleigh
Age: 17
Camryn is an inspiration to all aspiring athletes and her achievements to date are endless.
Earlier this year Camryn represented the Queensland U21 women’s team after recently being selected in the State U18 women’s side.
She has been selected in the Australian Jillaroos squad of 27 athletes who are all eligible for the Junior World Cup – while only 17 years old.
Camryn was named player of the tournament at the recent U18 Qld State Championships.
Aurora Kovacevich
Club: Labrador Hockey Club
Position: Striker
Age: 14
Aurora is a talented striker with an ability to turn defenders inside out with her speed and agility and finish with her trademark tomahawk.
She was part of the gold medal winning U15 State girls team and competed at the Australian Championships last month.
Aurora plays for Labrador Hockey on the Gold Coast and is one of the club’s youngest athletes.
She is excelling beyond her years and will be one to watch for the 2032 Olympic Games.
Mihaylia Howell
Club: Kedron Wavell Hockey Club
The Narangba Valley State High School member of the Australian Women’s Futures under 18 squad who plies her skills with Kedron Wavell Hockey Club where she is one of the best striker prospects in Queensland. Identified early as a 13-year-old where she won selection in the state under 15 years’ side, Howell was also a 2022 16 years and under All Australian Girls team member.
Karissa Van der Wath
Club: Commercial club
From the Commercial club, Van der Wath is a graduate from the under 15s who confirmed her place in the 2022 Australian Women’s Futures under 18 squad after an impressive under 18 campaign for Queensland early in 2022. The Brisbane State High School product also thrived in her age group during school competition, making the 2022 All Australian Girls 16 Years and Under side.
Kara Bradley
Club: Ascot Arana
With the likes of Bradly leading the way, Queensland’s future was beaming with junior hockey talent. At the under 15 state championships last year, Ascot Arana’s Bradley was Player of the Division 1 Final, where her tournament effort included a five goals in one game. Lily Richardson, Montana Carr and Jade Bartholomeusz were also ones to watch.
Lily Punch
There’s little wonder why Punch is so highly rated. The topscorer of the Under 15 Australian Championships has the world at her feet such is her ability to get herself on the goal sheet.
Cody Hale
Not unlike Punch, Hale is one for the little black book. An Under 15s player killing it in under 18 company, Hale’s ability to score is unrivalled. If you want proof look no further than the under 15 Australian Championships where he was the top goal scorer. Daniel Evans was another talent emerging out Brisbane.
Samantha Dyson
An under 13s player who plays well above her years, Dyson is a promising young goal keeper who doesn’t look out of place in the Queensland under 15s.
Xavier Hopkins
Leading the charge out of the Ipswich region is this young bloke, a 12-year-old boastingQueensland under 13s and under 15s honours.
Julian Dwyer
In the under 13s age group Dwyer looks an exciting prospect, the young gun following in the footsteps of his father Jamie, an Australian hockey legend.
Jamie has claimed three Olympic medals with the Australian Hockey team and has 326 games of experience.
Indeed Dwyer is in good hands.
Chloe Daly
Club: Caloundra Seahawks
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 18
Chloe is a very talented athlete and epitomises the old adage “hard work beats talent”. Chloes has a multitude of age group State representative honours, recently named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the U18 State Champs and a current member of the number one QLD U18 team. She is also a member of Queensland Academy of Sport for Hockey and just named in the Thunder team at Hockey Queensland’s Big Hockey Hit Out. These are trials for the Brisbane Blaze team, who play in the Hockey One League.
Rep honours: Chloe has represented Qld in the age groups from u13’s through to current u18’s in both outdoor and indoor from 2017-2023. She has been inducted into the Queensland Academy of sports and is training with the High performance athletes. Her goal is to one day represent her country (Australia Hockeyroos )
Madyson Windell
Club: Nambour Blue Demons
Position: Midfield
Age: 16
Mady is a high energy midfielder, constantly putting the opposition under pressure and dispossessing them of the ball. Mady has recently been named in the Queensland U18 Gold team to play Nationals in Hobart in July.
Maddison Tolson
Club: Maroochydore Swans
Position: Midfield
Age: 15
Maddison has a natural flare for Hockey which enables her to read the game well and eliminate the opposition. She was a member of the Queensland U15 Maroon team which recently went through undefeated at the recent National Championships in Darwin.
Jorja Chilton
Club: Nambour Blue Demons
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 15
Jorja’s skills and presence in the box continue to go from strength to strength. She was a member of the Queensland U15 Gold team which finished 4th at the recent National Championships in Darwin.
Sarah Chilton
Club: Nambour Blue Demons
Position: Midfield
Age: 13
Sarah is a natural athlete, exciting to watch as she creates space around the field with her speed and skill. She was a member of the Queensland U13 Maroon team which finished 1st at the recent National Championships in Hobart.
Belle Jackson
Club: Maroochydore Swans
Position: Striker
Age: 14
Belle has a great turn of speed which can often combine with a Tomahawk shot in the attacking circle. She was a member of the Queensland U15 Gold team which finished 4th at the recent National Championships in Darwin.
Cameron Allinson
Club: Maroochydore Hockey Club/Redcliffe Hockey Club
Position: Back line – fullback or half
Age: 13
Cameron started playing hockey at the age of five, proudly following his big brothers onto the field. Since that time he has represented Queensland in both 2021 School Boys Hockey (10-12yrs) and 2022 U13s Queensland Boys (Cutters) through Hockey Qld. He has been a regular Sunshine Coast representative captain in under 11s, under-13s and under-15s. He has also been one of the youngest players (at age 12 & 13 respectively) to compete in the last two under-19s school sport state championships for hockey. This year he was a shadow player for Sunshine Coast U18s mens rep and is looking forward to competing in the U15s State Championship in September. He is known for being a generous player who supports and encourages all players around him.
Tom Campbell
Club: Rangeville
Position: Midfield
Age: 17
Honours: QLD U18 and U21 (2022, 2023), 2022 and 2023 State Championships U18 Boys Player of the Tournament (Div 1), U18 Boys State Champions 2023, Brisbane Blaze 2022 Extended Squad
A force to be reckoned with at the club and representative level, Campbell easily controls games and is capable of producing match winning moments out of nothing.
William Ready
Club: Past High
Position: Midfield
Age: 18
Honours: 2022 Australian Futures Squad, QLD U18 and U21 (2022, 2023), QLD U18 Indoor (2022, 2023), 2022 Men’s Emerging National Indoor squad, 2023 U18 Boys State Champion.
A dynamic and exciting player with a great ability to beat defenders at speed. Will is capable of shifting game momentum in the blink of an eye and makes his mark in every team he features in.
Bobbie Hamlet
Club: Red Lion
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 17
Honours: QLD U18 rep (2022, 2023), QLD U18 Indoor, 2023 State Championships U18 Girls Player of the Tournament (Div 2), 2022 School Sport Australia 16 and Under All-Australian Hockey Team.
Despite her young age Hamlet has been a mainstay of the Toowoomba and Queensland representative scene for a few years now. Hamlet is a dependable and consistent keeper with great reflexes and good decision making.
Stella Suey
Club: Northern Suburbs
Position: Midfield
Age: 14
Honours: QLD U15 (2022, 2023), 2023 Toowoomba U18 Girls Team 1.
A young star on the rise, Suey plays with a level of skill and maturity well beyond her years. An all-rounder who can play in a variety of positions and influence the game from anywhere on the field.
Kaleb Mayfield
Club: Norths
Age: 17
Honours: 2020 QLD U15 #2, 2021 QLD U15 #1, 2021-23 U19 Capricornia, 2022 QLD U16 Schoolboys team, 2022 Australian Schoolboys shadow, 2022 QLD U18 Indoor #2, 2023 QLD U18s #1, 2023 QLD U19 Schoolboys Merit team.
Kaleb has a fantastic work ethic and a skill set suited to any facet of the game His ability to organise teammates and read the game make him a valued part of any team his plays in.
Hayden Meillifont
Club: Norths
Age: 17
Honours: 2019 QLD U15 Shadow, 2019 QLD U15 Indoor, 2021-23 U19 Capricornia, 2022-23 U19 QLD Schoolboys Merit team, 2021 QLD U18 Indoor squad, 2022 QLD U18 Indoor #2, 2022 QLD U18 #2, 2023 Aust U18 Indoor Emerging squad, 2023 QLD U18 #1
An exciting young player who actively involves himself in the game as much as possible. Hayden has a quick set of hands, good co-ordination and is a key player in attack and defence.
Jamie-Lee Surha
Club: Norths
Age: 18
Honours: 2023 QLD U21, 2023 QLD U18, 2022 Hockey Australia Emerging U18 Indoor Squad, 2022-2021 Queensland U18 National Champions, 2022 Queensland Schools Sport U19
An amazingly balanced player with great all-round skills. Jamie-Lee has a fantastic ability to dispossess defenders high up the field and almost immediately create attacking opportunities.
Sophie Hammond
Club: Southern Suburbs Hockey Club
Position: Midfield/Striker
Age: 17
Hammond is a very fit, fast and smart young player with great 3D and elimination skills.
She played for Queensland’s under-18 indoor team in 2022 and was selected as a shadow for the under-18 outdoor team in 2023.
Hammond was also named Rising Star at Qld School Girls in 2022.
Amy Woods
Club: Wanderers Hockey Club
Position: Defender/Midfield
Age: 15
Highest previous rep honours: Captain Qld U15 Girls Gold Team 2023
Woods is a very smart defender and reader of play with a precision passing game.
She captained Queensland’s under-15 girls Gold team in 2023 and is a very encouraging and great role model for younger team members.
Woods is also talented off the field and she loves performing in musicals.
Grace Lloyd-Jones
Club: Park Avenue Brothers Hockey Club
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 14
Highest previous rep honours: Shadow Qld U15 Girls 2023, Northern Territory U15 Girls 2023
Lloyd-Jones is a very instinctive goalkeeper who can perform a wide range of saves and can react quickly to various game situations.
She communicates well with her players and is usually the joker of the team and a lot of fun to have around, making her a popular teammates to have.
Lloyd-Jones was a shadow for Queensland’s under-15 girls in 2023 and ended up playing for the Northern Territory team at nationals.
Jai Cass
Club: Wanderers Hockey Club
Position: Striker/Midfield
Age: 17
Highest previous rep honours: Qld U18 Maroon Men
Cass is a very smart, skilful young player who can capitalise on any scoring opportunity with his range of shooting skills.
He has received numerous player of tournament or division awards at state titles and was a member of the Queensland under-18 Maroons.
Cass can be seen most Saturday mornings coaching young hockey players.
Eli Landsberg
Club: Wanderers Hockey Club
Position: Striker/Midfielder
Age: 14
Highest previous rep honours: Qld U15 Boys Gold Team 2023
Landsberg is a very coachable young player who is developing a good goal shooting skillet.
Being such a smart and agile player, he can make intercepts and score from most areas of the circle.
Landsberg made the Queensland under-15 boys Gold team in 2023 and is also a very good soccer and touch football player.
Jaiden Lenzina
Club: Wanderers Hockey Club
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 17
Highest previous rep honours: Australian U16 Schoolboys Team 2022
Lenzina has no fear which means he won’t hesitate to block any shot or attack on goal.
The 2022 Australian under-16 schoolboy player has a wide range of saving skills and can clear out of defence very well.
Though he is recognised as an elite goalkeeper, Lenzina is also a very capable field player.
More Coverage
Originally published as Revealed: Queensland’s next best junior hockey players to keep an eye on
Australasia title win only start of whirlwind weekend for top boxer
Pittsworth’s Jackson Griffiths is the new WBC Australasia Grand Champion titleholder. However the massive win was only the start of a weekend he will never forget. Find out why here.
Budding Paralympian has disability questioned
Charlotte Barber is a budding Paralympian but she spends her days shrugging off barbs from people questioning her disability. Discover the horrific insults hurled at the para-athlete from the people she may one day represent on the world stage.
‘If I lose this will be my last fight’: Former world champion’s bold statement ahead of bout
Country Queenslander Jackson Griffiths could end the career of former world champion Miguel Vazquez who has traded blows with superstars like Canelo Alvarez and Timothy Bradley Jr. Find out how here.
Newtown Lions respond to shock Toowoomba league ‘termination’
A shocked Newtown Lions have responded to Toowoomba Rugby League’s decision to terminate their membership ahead of the 2025. Read what the club said here.
REVEALED: Darling Downs’ top junior rugby union players of 2024
After a thrilling 2024 Downs Rugby junior season, we are shining a light on the young guns who made their mark this year and have bright futures ahead. Find out who made the list here.
RANKED: Toowoomba’s top women’s cricketers from round 2
As we enter a new era of women’s cricket in the Garden City, we are running the rule over the new Toowoomba cricket competition to rank our top performers from each round. See who made the list from your team here.