The top junior scoring talent from Darwin Hockey in season 2025

As a group of Territorians have been recognised among the best up and comers in the country, we’ve looked across the local competition at some of the most promising young guns. Check them out.

Territorians Sophie Aranha, Neisha Casimiro and Maya Nunn have earned national recognition with selection to Hockey Australia’s under-18 National Futures Squads.

A trio of Territorians have been revealed as part of Hockey Australia’s under-18 National Futures Squads for 2025-26.

Sophie Aranha, Neisha Casimiro and Tobias Jenner have been named in the squads that are a key step in hockey’s high performance pathway.

Meanwhile, Joe Lauritsen and Maya Nunn were also recognised and have put on the Futures Program watch list.

Jenner backs his call up to the Australian Futures squad in 2024.

“However, I wouldn’t be here without my teammates like Joe Lauristen pushing me along and competing with me every step of the way,” he said.

Territorian Tobias Jenner has been selected for Hockey Australia’s under-18 National Futures Squad.

Casimiro said it was an honour to be named in the Futures Squad and an experience she was looking forward to.

“Playing for the Australian U16s in Europe this year was an amazing experience and was a driving force in my preparations for Perth,” she said.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead and eager to keep building and learning alongside such talented athletes and coaches.

“I’m grateful for all the support I receive from my family, coaches, and community.”

Territorian Niesha Casimiro has been selected for Hockey Australia’s under-18 National Futures Squad.

Hockey NT technical director Michelle Caden said she was proud so many Territory junior players had been recognised.

“Their selection reflects not only their dedication and perseverance, but also the work invested over the past few years to strengthen our development pathways,” she said.

“Opportunity, support and aspiration remain at the forefront of our focus as we continue to build a program that ensures young Territorians have the same opportunities as the rest of the country.”

TOP SCORING TALENT FROM DHL

*Total games and total goals are across all competitions a player has played to date in season 2025

UNDER-10 MIXED

Elijah Lockley (Palmerston Saints)

Teams: Saints Green, U13 Saints

Matches: 26

Goals: 81

Best figures: 3 x 8 goals games, 3 x 6 goal games, 5 x 5 goal games

Ryan White (Palmerston Saints)

Teams: Saints Gold, U13 Saints

Matches: 23

Goals: 41

Best figures: 2 x 6 goal games, 1 x 5 goal games, 5 x 4 goal games

Samuel Kelly (Banks)

Teams: Banks Falcons, U13 Banks

Matches: 28

Goals: 42

Best figures: 3 x 5 goal games, 1 x 4 goal game, 4 x 3 goal games

Eugene Parker (Nightcliff)

Teams: Tigers Black, U13 Tigers

Matches: 27

Goals: 39

Best figures: 1 x 7 goal game, 1 x 6 goal game, 1 x 4 goal game, 4 x 3 goal games

Eli Carroll (Nightcliff)

Teams: Tigers Yellow, U13 Tigers

Matches: 22

Goals: 34

Best figures: 2 x 5 goal games, 2 x 4 goal games, 2 x 3 goal games

UNDER-13 GIRLS

Isla Ryan-Smith (Commerce Pints)

Teams: U13 Commerce, U16 Gecko, C-grade

Matches: 30

Goals: 23

Best figures: 4 x 3 goal games

Rachel David (Nightcliff)

Teams: U13 Tigers, U16 Hawks

Matches: 23

Goals: 28

Best figures: 4 x 3 goal games

Jayda Toy (CommeTahs)

Teams: U13 CommeTahs, U16 Crocs

Matches: 17

Goals: 15

Best figures: 1 x 5 goal game

Adair Dixon (Commerce Pints)

Teams: U13 Commerce, U16 Crocs, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 35

Goals: 16

Best figures: 1 x 3 goal game

Ella Skippings (Nightcliff)

Teams: U13 Tigers, U16 Crocs, B-grade

Matches: 24

Goals: 16

Best figures: 2 x 3 goal games

UNDER-13 BOYS

Brodie Fraser (Commerce Pints)

Teams: U13 Commerce, U16 Hawks, C-grade, B-grade

Matches: 28

Goals: 17

Best figures: 1 x 4 goal games, 1 x 3 goal games

Rufus Abayasekara (Waratah)

Teams: U13 Waratah, U16 Crocs, C-grade, B-grade

Matches: 38

Goals: 18

Best figures: 1 x 3 goal game

Edward Peterson (Commerce Pints)

Teams: U13 Commerce, U16 Barra, C-grade,

Matches: 31

Goals: 12

Best figures: 2 x 2 goal games

Liam Fookes (Palmerston Saints)

Teams: U13 Saints, U-16 Gecko, B-grade,

Matches: 28

Goals: 15

Best figures: 2 x 3 goal games

Sam Forrest (Waratah)

Teams: U13 Waratah, U16 Crocs

Matches: 12

Goals: 8

Best figures: 1 x 4 goal game

UNDER-16 GIRLS

Alicia David (Nightcliff)

Teams: U16 Hawks, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 26

Goals: 42

Best figures: 1 x 5 goal game, 2 x 4 goal games, 2 x 3 goal games

Molly Maley (Nightcliff)

Teams: U16 Hawks, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 18

Goals: 12

Best figures: 1 x 3 goal games

Kaitlyn Berry (East Darwin)

Teams: U16 Gecko, B-grade

Matches: 19

Goals: 9

Best figures: 1 x 2 goal game

Tayah Stripling (Banks)

Teams: U16 Barra, TPL

Matches: 16

Goals: 8

Best figures: 2 x 2 goal games

Kleo Sailor (Waratah)

Teams: U16 Crocs, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 20

Goals: 9

Best figures: 9 x 1 goal games

UNDER-16 BOYS

Kade Kimlin (Nightcliff)

Teams: U16 Hawks, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 20

Goals: 26

Best figures: 1 x 4 goal game, 3 x 3 goal games

Baden Dixon (Commerce Pints)

Teams: U16 Barra, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 22

Goals: 21

Best figures: 1 x 5 goal game, 1 x 4 goal game

Alexander Smart (Banks)

Teams: U16 Barra, C-grade, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 31

Goals: 17

Best figures: 3 x 3 goal games

Leo Skippings (Nightcliff)

Teams: U16 Hawks, B-grade, TPL

Matches: 32

Goals: 24

Best figures: 8 x 2 goal games

Luca Davey

Teams: U16 Crocs

Matches: 9

Goals: 12

Best figures: 2 x 3 goal games

Originally published as The top junior scoring talent from Darwin Hockey in season 2025