50 young Australian athletes who did incredible things and made us proud
From athletes who overcame the odds and battled through adversity to those who set the record books alight. These are the 50 young Aussies who have made us proud.
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As we look back over the years, we reflect on the young local sporting stars who have made us proud.
From the mainstream sports through to those that don’t get as much recognition, rising athletes from across the country made their mark on the biggest stage.
With that in mind, join us on a reflection on the 50 young stars who did us proud.
QUEENSLAND
ANIKA REID (GYMNASTICS)
When 12-year-old gymnast Anika Reid was born with cystic fibrosis, mum Stacey thought she was “doomed” to a life of hospital visits and illness.
But Reid was able to compete at the Queensland Junior State Championships in September in Chandler, when only 11 years ago she was “in and out of hospital with numerous chest infections that never seemed to end”.
ALEXA LEARY (SWIMMING)
A year on from her life-threatening cycling crash, Sunshine Coast triathlete Alexa Leary is back in the pool with a goal of winning gold at the Paralympics.
The 20-year-old suffered a horrendous list of injuries and spent 74 days in hospital before completing her recovery with inclusion in the Swimming Australia Para National Development Squad.
DRE STALDER (MUAY THAI)
A Sunshine Coast teen, who had to work 40 hours a week as an apprentice tradie to pay his way for a shot at fighting against the world’s best teenagers.
His determination and hard work paid off as he returned home as a silver medallist at the first WBC World Muaythai Games in Canada.
CLAIRE MCCULLOCH (WATER POLO)
A rising Sunshine Coast sports star, who at seven years old was 160cm tall and diagnosed with a gigantism-linked brain tumour, revealed the radical steps taken to tame her growth. Now she’s doing it all in the sporting arena after the incredible young talent represented Australia at the junior Water Polo World Championships in Greece.
ROSIE MCMAHON (FUTSAL, CRICKET, FOOTBALL)
While some her age are juggling their lunch box, Matthew Flinders Anglican College student Rosie McMahon is dealing with the pressures of high school and the intensity of being a dual elite level sports woman.
In 2022 the grade nine student represented Queensland for futsal and cricket while also donning the green and gold jersey for the junior U17 Matildas football team.
SKYLAH HAMILL (BOXING)
Kawana Waters State College student Skylah “Headshot” Hamill, 16, took home the Australian flyweight title, beating a full grown adult aged 10 years older than her.
“She’s very smart, trains very hard and now I just hope to keep her focused through that later period of her teenage years and she’ll be one of the best ever out of Australia I’d say for sure,” Hamill’s head coach Joe Hilton said.
DECLAN FRASER (MOTOR SPORT)
Fraser is one of the most loved athletes out of Mackay and when he crossed the finish line making history it was one of the best moments in sport.
The 21-year-old former Victorian pursued his dreams from a young age and reached the pinnacle when competing at this year’s Bathurst 1000 alongside Craig Lowndes.
LIAM PARO (BOXING)
Paro remains at times tight lipped about his work with the youth, however the young man from Mackay is more than just his perfect boxing record.
The 26-year-old did a heap of work in the community, including speaking at youth detention centres, in the hopes of inspiring the young of turning their lives around.
HEATH FISHER (MOTOCROSS)
Fisher won the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in October and is currently in America racing against the best juniors in the world.
The 14-year-old was a part of the Australian team at the 2022 World Championships in Helsinki, finishing seventh overall, and his next goal is to become a factory rider in The States.
TALEISHA GAETA (TABLE TENNIS)
At April’s Townsville Open, the 13-year-old had an insatiable hunger for success, winning the women’s open singles and doubles, mixed open doubles, as well as the U21, U19, U17 and U15 women’s and girls’ singles.
Later in the year at the Queensland Open Championships, she claimed the women’s open singles and doubles, U21 women’s singles, and won a bronze medal in mixed doubles.
BILLO WOTTON and KARHYS MORSEU (RUGBY LEAGUE)
Two young Indigenous second rowers from Charters Towers scorched the U13s with 74 tries in a season.
In a tandem performance unlikely to be matched for a long time, the duo were simply unstoppable on their quest to help their team, as they averaged over three tries a game each.
TALEAH ACKLAND (RUGBY SEVENS)
The rising star of Toowoomba’s Rugby Sevens scene enjoyed a stellar year that saw her named in the Australian U18s Schoolgirls merit team after smashing it for Queensland.
The feat was highlighted by the fact she was still relatively new to the sport at the time, and is part of the QAS open women’s team.
BRIDIE and BRENNA PRENDERGAST (RUGBY LEAGUE)
A duo of talented referee sisters from the South Burnett are among the brightest prospects in the rugby league officiating ranks.
Despite being just 20, Brenna officiated her first U19s TRL fixture this year, with 17-year-old Bridie chosen as a touch judge for the Schoolgirls Origin game at Suncorp Stadium, with Brenna on standby.
MARIAH BROWN (RUGBY LEAGUE/UNION)
A time-honoured tradition of backyard footy was a big reason for Mariah Brown’s breakout year in 2022.
Ages spent in the backyard with her brothers developed her trademark tackling technique, which saw her represent Queensland in both league and union this year.
HELENSVALE HORNETS (RUGBY LEAGUE)
It’s impossible to single one player out on this super team.
A young Gold Coast rugby league side has astounded statistics maestros by remaining unbeaten from the time they played in the under-6s to this year’s under-9s outfit.
They’ve scored 299 tries and conceded 29 in that period, with no current finals for them to test themselves further.
PJ POUTASI (RUGBY UNION)
At 17 PJ Poutasi had been dealt a rough hand. He had lost friends and family to suicide and road accidents while mourning the loss of a mate who was stabbed to death.
But he rose above it all to make the Australian schoolboys rugby union side and put himself on the path to stardom.
JORDAN LUNNEY (RUGBY LEAGUE)
Heading into the under-18s division 2 Gold Coast Rugby League grand final, a Mudgeeraba Redbacks junior revealed his teammate had been the stimulus behind their push to the premiership decider.
Despite battling throat cancer, hooker Jordan Lunney would come off the bench and make some of the biggest tackles.
GEORGIA RALPHS (MUAY THAI)
Central Queensland Muay Thai fighter Georgia Ralphs made a big impression in her international debut.
The 17-year-old from The Muay Thai College in Gracemere won gold for Australia at the ISKA Muay Thai Championships in Turkey.
She dominated in her two fights to take the crown in the under 65kg 17-18 years division.
ROCKHAMPTON ROCKETS (BASKETBALL)
The Rockhampton Rockets players received a hero’s welcome on their return home after winning silver at the Australian Under-14 Club Championships.
They were the first underage team from the association to ever qualify for nationals courtesy of their second-placed finish at the state titles in June.
They then wrote another chapter of local basketball history by winning silver at those nationals in Sydney.
BONNIE BERRY (CRICKET)
Bonnie Berry’s cricket career has gone from strength to strength since she first started playing at age eight with the boys in the Central Highlands Cricket under-11 competition.
A right-arm quick, the 15-year-old impressed for North Queensland in the annual three-game series against South Queensland.
That performance earned her selection in the Queensland Country women’s team to play at the national championships in Albury.
ELI PARSONS (GOLF)
Eli Parsons has the golf circuit buzzing.
At age 10, he became the youngest player ever to compete in the men’s competition at the Rockhampton Golf Club - that anyone can remember at least.
On debut in the senior ranks and playing off a handicap of 24, Eli had 38 stableford points to win C-grade in the Phil Story Memorial Day, which was an emotional victory for several reasons.
NEW SOUTH WALES
KAYA KUMAR (CRICKET)
She’s earned praise from test cricket legends with her social media exploits, and 10-year-old Kaya Kumar is stamping herself as one of the next big things in Sydney cricket.
The Hills player has been scoring runs at will against older opposition and the boys, and has almost achieved her goal of 1000 runs for the season.
JESSIE-MAY HALL (BASKETBALL)
The Bankstown basketball product is stamping herself as one of the future stars of the sport in Australia.
The talented guard represented Australia at the Oceania Championships, helping them to a gold medal and making the Allstar Five, before returning home to guide Westfield Sports to gold in the U20s division one at the Australian School Basketball Championships.
OLIVIA CALLAGHAN and ASMI BHANAGE (CRICKET)
Remember the names of these two 15-year-old schoolgirl stars.
The Gordon cricketers set the record books alight with the best batting partnership we’ve seen in any form of the game this season.
The two opened in their second grade clash and combined for a 466-run stand, with Callaghan’s 200* the third highest score in women’s grade cricket ever.
MITCHELL LIGHTFOOT (ATHLETICS)
Maitland-based hurdler Mitchell Lightfoot was so excited about his first overseas trip that he almost forgot to reserve his seat on the plane.
The 19-year-old national champion eventually made his way to Colombia, where he placed fourth in the world in the 110m hurdles for U20s.
SAM CASCIO (GOLF)
An up-and-coming 15-year-old golfing prodigy has smashed records in his dual championship winning performance at Wollongong Golf Club.
The young gun took out the Junior Club Championship and backed it up with a win in the open event as well, confirming his status as a young gun of he golfing ranks.
LIAM HOYN (FOOTBALL)
The 18-year-old Wollongong teen landed the opportunity of a lifetime when he was signed to join the Villareal club on a scholarship deal.
Hoyn would regularly wake up at 4am and make the journey from the ‘Gong to Sydney to train, a sign of the dedication he has to his craft.
CAOIMHE BRAY (CRICKET)
Turned 13 this year but is already strutting her stuff in the U18s Brewer Shield for the Greater Hunter Coast, such is the wisdom beyond her years.
Has been earmarked as one to watch by the NSW Cricket pathways, highlighted by her inclusion in the NSW Country U19s State Championship team.
MILLA ELARO and PIPER SIMONS (RUGBY SEVENS)
The teen Rugby Sevens talents recently returned from Dubai where they debuted for Australia A in the Invitational international played alongside the world series event won by the Australian women’s team.
Milla Elaro and Piper Simons have both shown incredible skill and are two to watch for the future.
DANIEL OKERENYANG (ATHLETICS)
Wagga athletics ace Daniel Okerenyang was one of the stars of the Australian All Schools Athletics meet.
The young triple jumper produced an under 16 record at the meet.
This wasn’t just any record though. His 14.79 smashed the old Australian record of 14.55m.
IVY BOOTHROYD (ATHLETICS)
The Endeavour Sports High 15-year-old solidified her reputation as a future star with an incredible season.
She broke the 15 years 800m record at the All Schools by almost half a second, and is currently ranked number two in the world.
DANIEL WILLIAMS (ATHLETICS)
Williams, from Coffs Harbour, broke the Australian All Schools record held by fellow NSW gun Charlie Jefferson by 1.44 seconds with his run of 1:51.95.
The 15-year-olds time was, according to NSW Athletics stats guru David Tarbotton, the second fastest U16 time in the world behind Britain’s Jack Kinrade (1:51.72).
He then went on to add the 1500m title to his haul.
SASKIA DUNN and ORLANDO MINA (WATER POLO)
With all eyes on Brisbane 2032, a pair of NSW young guns put their names up in lights at the Water Polo Australia National state 15 and 17 and under Championships.
Saskia Dunn was named the MVP of the U15s on the Gold Coast, with Orlando Mina taking that title in Victoria.
SEBASTIAN SULTANA (ATHLETICS)
The 100m sprint has all eyes on it, but you would’ve been forgiven for blinking and missing 17-year-old Sebastian Sultana.
The Australian representative absolutely scorched the track at All Schools, posting a time of 10.53, the fastest in the event for over 20 years.
ZACH FITTLER (RUGBY UNION/LEAGUE)
He has one of the most famous surnames in league, but the 16-year-old is making a name in his own right across two codes.
The hulking prospect is with the Roosters junior development program, but perhaps it is union where he has had most impact, firmly in the eyes of NSW Waratahs selectors and entrenched in their rep system.
BRONTE STEWART (CYCLING)
From the moment Bronte Stewart jumped on a bike with no brakes at the age of eight she was hooked on cycling.
Less than a decade on, the NSW youngster embarked on the ride of her life as she made her world championship cycling debut for Australia at just 17 years of age and while still at school.
VICTORIA
FINN O’SULLIVAN (AUSSIE RULES)
Finn O’Sullivan is Australia’s best under-16 AFL player after dominating the under-16 national titles.
Next year he will play for the Oakleigh Chargers and could be in line to be drafted in the next 24 months.
CHRISTINE OGUCHE (NETBALL)
Christine Oguche is already representing Victoria in netball, one year after starting in the sport.
The 200cm, dominant goal shooter, has been compared to some of the greats of the game already, despite still being inexperienced in netball.
PATRICK SHELL (GOLF)
Nine-year-old Patrick Shell hit a hole in one at the Northcote Golf Course in September.
The best part, all of it was filmed on camera as Patrick celebrated the milestone.
Check out the video here of the young gun who looks to have a very bright future in the sport.
ZAC WOLFE (GOLF)
Six-year-old golfing prodigy Zac Wolfe is already being labelled as the next Tiger Woods at a young age.
Wolfe earlier this year won the US Kids Golf World Championship, beating more than 70 other kids.
The talented kid already has a hole in one as well, achieving the feat as a four year old.
AKSHAY RAMKUMAR (CRICKET)
A Toorak Prahran junior took the incredible figures of 8-0 earlier this year in the under-15 Inner South East competition.
Leg spinner Akshay Ramkumar took the wickets in 4.2 overs and said he couldn’t believe it. He also had a hat-trick among his incredible haul in one of the best spells of bowling anyone has ever witnessed.
DHANUSH DAHIYA (CRICKET)
It’s the stuff dreams are made of.
Dhanush Dahiya hit a six in the final over to help Victoria White win the U12 School Sport Cricket Titles in Ballarat.
Dahiya was a star of the tournament with bat and ball, and his last-ball heroics capped off a memorable outing.
OLIVER NORTHAM (AUSSIE RULES)
Prior to the AFL Draft, Geelong Falcons ruck Olivier Northam has been enjoying the things he loved, including four-wheel driving and a “bit of hunting”.
Unfortunately the 18-year-old wasn’t picked up in the national feature, but he’s not giving up on his dreams of playing in the top flight.
KIAHNA FALLON (NETBALL)
The 18-year-old stepped up big time in the netball scene both locally and at a representative level.
The South Barwon centre showed a great deal of athleticism and was rewarded with selection in the U19s state team.
GRACE JONES (CRICKET)
Mixing it with the boys has never been an issue for 18-year-old Grace Jones, who took her game to another level in 2022.
Chosen for the Victoria U19s, Jones enjoyed a successful season at a national and local A-grade level against the men.
OLIVER PEAKE AND HENRY MELVILLE (CRICKET)
They have shared the crease at South Barwon, Geelong and Geelong Grammar, and Oliver Peake and Henry Melville got the chance do so again at the Under-19 National Championships.
The Victorian duo have long shared their love of cricket and look forward to continuing that tradition in the coming years.
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Originally published as 50 young Australian athletes who did incredible things and made us proud
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