Fairholme student Taleah Ackland earns Australian Rugby Sevens honour at school titles

Fairholme College student Taleah Ackland claimed an amazing Australian honour in Sydney recently, and she’s looking to follow in the footsteps of past alumni in going all the way to the top.

Briana Dascombe (left) was key figure for USQ Saints in 2021 before joining the Queensland Reds this year. Dascombe made her Super W debut for the Reds against Melbourne Rebels on April 2. Picture: Nev Madsen.

RUGBY SEVENS: Fairholme College has a long history of producing Australian Sevens stars, and another young gun is looking to follow in their footsteps after an extraordinary honour.

Taleah Ackland was named in the Australian Schoolgirls U18s merit side following a strong representation for Queensland at the national school titles in Sydney earlier this month.

“I was grateful to make the Australian U18s Schoolgirls team,” she said.

“I was so happy straight away. It’s a massive dream and great achievement to finally make that team.

Fairholme College student Taleah Ackland has been chosen in the Australian Schoogirls U18s team. Picture: Fairholme College

“Unfortunately it’s a merit team so we don’t get to go anywhere, but hopefully there’s an opportunity for us to have a get-together or a camp.”

The likes of Emilee Cherry, Demi Hayes and Dom du Toit have come through the school before going on to represent their country on the Rugby Sevens circuit, and the 17-year-old said she would love to wear the green and gold on the biggest stage.

“That is the dream to hopefully make the women’s team and hopefully play at the Olympics,” she said.

Fairholme College student Taleah Ackland has been chosen in the Australian Schoogirls U18s merit team. Picture: Fairholme College

“Emilee is a big role model for me. I definitely look up to her. She’s come to the school a couple of times and has conducted training sessions. I think she’s amazing.

“She was at one of the camps and it was amazing to see her, who was a Fairholme student and lived in the region.”

Ackland is currently strutting her stuff for the Toowoomba Bears in the competition named after her idol Cherry, with her rise emphasised by the fact she is a relative newcomer to the sport.

“My older sister started playing and I followed her,” she said.

“A big group of us girls from Fairholme and other schools got together and all started playing.

“We’ve been the OG team and have won every single year for club.

“The friendships, love of the sport and everyone who supports me has been amazing. I just love it.”

Ackland is currently part of the QAS open women’s team that has helped to take her game to new heights, and the Year 12 student is looking to continue that progression.

“I’ll look to move down to Brisbane, keep training and hopefully make the Aussie team,” she said.

“My skills have improved so much over the past year since I’ve made the QAS squad.”

Molly Penfold. Picture: Nev Madsen

CUP QUEENS - STARS OF THE EMILEE CHERRY CUP

RUGBY: Since its inception in 2017 the Emilee Cherry Cup has introduced hundreds of players to Rugby Sevens.

It has also served as a pathway to further honours with former players going on to represent the Darling Downs and South West regions as well playing for Queensland, the Queensland Reds and Australia.

“The culture of the clubs and the competition as a whole is fantastic,” Downs Rugby general manager Matt Hammond said.

“That has certainly to the competition’s growth and continued success.

“We also have to thank Queensland and Australian rugby for their work and support.

“We’ve done our best to create a pathway here and they are recognising that.

“There’s a great pool of talented players right now and younger ones coming through the ranks. I think we will see many more representative players in the years to come.”

Ahead of the 2022 Emilee Cherry Cup competition The Chronicle has compiled a list of the top players to watch.

Lily Black (right) rounds her opponent.

Lily Black (Bears): Black’s dynamic energy perfectly compliments her reliability and toughness. Her experience and leadership will be valuable to the young Bears outfit this season.

Ella Kowitz crosses over for a try.

Ella Kowitz (Bears): For the most part she is cool and calm but in the blink of an eye she can spark her team into action. Kowitz has a great ability to find space and will a focal point of the Bears attack.

Taleah Ackland (Bears): A young gun already marking her mark in senior Rugby Sevens. Ackland’s work rate and reliability, particularly at the breakdown, will surprise a few teams.

Matilda Leicht (Bears): A clever ballplayer who will create plenty of try scoring opportunities for her teammates. Leicht is also dynamic in defence making her a real two-way player.

Hannah Jakins (left) fires off a pass.

Hannah Jakins (Roma): A great game manager who will expertly direct the Echidna’s around the field. Her kicking and passing skills combined with her vision make her a vital player.

Jane Rowbotham (left) takes on the line.

Jane Rowbotham (Roma): New Echidnas this season but already showing signs she will a key player. A utility player with speed, strength and brilliant vision.

Renee Donpon makes a tackle.

Renee Donpon (Roma): After a 2021 cut short by injury, ‘Donny’ is back fitter and stronger. A hard ball runner and solid tackler – expect to see her making an impact in her side and on the opposition.

Bonnie Penfold in action for Condamine.

Bonnie Penfold (Condamine): Her combination of speed and determination to get over the line make her a handful for opposition defences.

Lucy Collin (Condamine): Having made the move ‘across the ditch’ Collin is a bit of unknown. The New Zealander has already shown a fondness for hard tackles and big runs up the middle – one to watch.

Molly Penfold (Condamine): After winning the 2021 premiership with the Dalby Wheatchix, Penfold has come home ready to drive her first club to success.

Jade Hubbard.

Jade Hubbard (USQ Saints): Strong, fast and agile, Hubbard will be a handful for opposition defences.

Erin Keogh (USQ): An up and coming young talent. Keogh is fast and strong over the ball.

Lily Cocker (USQ): A barnstorming forward who is strong and hard in the tackle but also quick.

Carissa Kemp takes on the USQ line.

Carissa Kemp (Rangers): In her first season of rugby last year Kemp was always in the thick of the action. Back for another season with Rangers she has already built a reputation as a force to be reckoned with due to her hard and fast tackling.

Tess Littleton (Rangers): A rugby stalwart with years of experience and a broad skillset – Littleton has made the move to Rangers from Bears for the 2022 season. She is already proving to be an asset for her new team – passing on her knowledge to young players – and she will be equally impressive on the field.

Monique Wilms (Rangers): A driving force of the women’s team since its inception five years, Wilms is the beating heart of the team’s morale. Wilms has shown great improvement of late – with her kicking skills and communication key to her side’s performance.