Indigenous Sports Month: The best young athletes from around Australia

As part of Indigenous Sports Month our reporters around the country looked to find some of the best young emerging Indigenous sports talent in their regions – names you will hear more about in the coming years as they pursue dreams on football fields and the world stage.

QUEENSLAND

Kiera Heffernan (Netball)

Queensland-based Northern Territory athlete Kiera Heffernan is paving her way through Netball Australia pathways one team at a time.

The 18-year-old graduated from Trinity College Beenleigh in 2021, where she received the Olympic Game Changer award while studying.

She picked up the sport in 2011 as a NetSetGo player and fell in love with its competitiveness.

In 2023, she pulled on the NT dress to compete at the National Netball Championships once again, this time as an Under 19s athlete.

Her skills through the midcourt impressed selectors, which earned her a spot in the Australian Netball Squad for 2023/24 as the only Northern Territory athlete.

An honour she is proud to accept as her biggest accomplishment to date, but not without keeping her eyes on the future.

“I want to take it step by step, I want to progress year by year,” she said.

“Ever since I was younger, every kid wants to make the Diamonds.

“When I got older I got more realistic and now I just want to make a Ruby team then a Sapphire team.

“If I can make Sapphire, that’s where my goal is set.”

Coby Black (rugby league)

From Marsden SHS in the heartland of rugby league country – Logan City – Black is one of the most promising schoolboys on the Brisbane Broncos list.

A Helensvale Hornets junior, Black plays halfback and was a member of last season’s Queensland schoolboys side which won the national championship.

“I started off with soccer, but that was just a one year thing (under 3) because rugby league was not played in that age. But I then started playing rugby league when I was four-years-old,’’ he said.

The Broncos officially signed Black basically the day of his 15th birthday.

Jaycob Kingston-Francis (rugby league)

How appropriate this Wynnum Manly Seagulls junior has signed with the Canberra Raiders.

After all the year 11 Mabel Park SHS student supports Canberra in the NRL and the club also has his favourite player, Raiders prop Joseph Tapine.

Canberra scouts first noticed Kingston-Francis playing in the back row at Wynnum last season, signing him as an under 16 player.

“(Signing with Canberra) It is massive encouragement, you feel like you want to keep pushing forward,’’ Kingston-Francis said.

He has since moved to centre and has made the Met East 16-18 years team to play at the state championships.

Mereki Warradoo (rugby league)

The Dolphins signed Warradoo is a local junior who is part the way toward fulfilling his dream of playing in the NRL.

Warradoo comes from the Dolphins’s northern catchment and first started playing rugby league when aged nine years.

“It was always been a dream of mine to make it to the NRL,’’ the Wavell SHS student said.

“What I love about playing the game is the environment being around teammates and the challenges. along the way that also teach me life lessons and make me a better person.’’

Chewbelle Philp (track and field)

A Palm Beach Currumbin SHS student, Philp an elite youth athlete getting better and gathering more knowledge thanks to her coaches.

“What I enjoy about my sport is the love I have for it, that every day is a learning

experience to get better and find out how much further I can grow in speed,’’ she said.

“The friendships and sportsmanship that we equip as we compete against the same age

group over multiple years, it becomes more friendly rather than a competitive race.’’

Rosie McMahon (Football)

At the beginning of 2023 Sunshine Coast 14-year-old Rosie McMahon made the tough decision to focus on football, causing her to unfortunately pull out of her state level cricket commitments.

The Matthew Flinders Anglican College student currently plays for the Queensland Academy of Sport under 15 girls team in the NPL Women‘s under 23 competition. She has also represented the U17 Junior Matildas despite being three years younger than the required age. McMahon was awarded the First Nations 2022 Next Gen Athlete of the Year at the Sunshine Coast Sports Awards and said her sporting idol is Ash Barty.

“She is humble, respectful and a huge inspiration to me because of her mindset when competing. She has endless determination and it is great to watch her strive and take on challenges no matter the situation, time and place.”

Tiana Rew (Boxing)

Rising Sunshine Coast female boxer Tiana Rew quickly made her mark within the ring after winning the U15 Australian title in Melbourne despite being only 13-years-old. The Kawana Waters State College student has only been involved in the sport for less than four years and is on track to defend her national title in the coming weeks.

Shamrock Boxing Gym head coach Mike Foley said she was definitely a rising star to keep an eye on and made comparisons to Rew‘s sporting idol Skye Nicolson.

“I don’t say this lightly because I see a lot in her as I do with Australian boxer Skye Nicolson so I think Tiana will become a very classy fighter,“ he said.

Assariah Lenoy (Rugby League)

Lenoy is a talented fullback that calls Palm Island home, and he’s currently boarding at Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers, North Queensland.

The young footballer made the step up to senior rugby league for the Charters Towers Miners A Grade side in 2023 and hasn’t looked a step out of place.

Lenoy said he always looked up to Greg Inglis and Nathan Merritt growing up.

“I’ve always been a Souths supporter, so I just loved watching Greg Inglis do his work and watching Nathan Merritt scoring tries,” Lenoy said.

Lenoy is planning to move to Brisbane when he finishes year 12 to study physiotherapy at university.

Kaiden Lahrs (Rugby League)

The son of NSW and Australia legend Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is forging his own legacy in North Queensland.

Lahrs is a powerful rugby league player on the field, and a gentleman off it, and it’s his maturity that has seen him captain Kirwan State High School and the Northern schoolboys team.

In 2022, Lahrs became the youngest recipient of Kirwan’s highest rugby league honour, the Sam Thaiday Medal as the school’s top senior player.

He said his idol growing up was his father Tom.

“My old man, he was a part of the first Indigenous All Stars side, so he’d probably be my idol as well as Matty Bowen,” Lahrs said.

Teyahna Bond (basketball)

One of the best young basketball products coming out of Queensland, let alone the Far North.

Teyahna Bond is a shooting guard who has hooped for more than a decade, but in the past few years the teenager has put the basketball world on notice as to her talents.

She has played for Cairns at state championship level for years among her growing resume of representative honours, and is now into her second year in the NBL1 North – at the age of just 16.

Bond was one of the stars for Queensland North at the Basketball Australia Under-18 Nationals earlier this year, where she played her way into MVP consideration.

And the rising Cairns talent, who is following in the footsteps of WNBA draftee Shaneice Swain and idolises Boomers and NBA star Patty Mills, has the world her feet with a massive next few months on the cards.

Her younger sister, Taryn, is another rising talent and a name to keep an eye on.

Kael Newcombe (football, cricket)

Cairns Rovers wicketkeeper-batsman Kael Newcombe is one of the best young cricket prospects coming through the ranks in Far North Queensland.

Newcombe, took big steps during the 2022/23 cricket season, after making his A grade debut in the Cricket Far North competition.

He was selected in the Indigenous Queensland squad that played in the National Indigenous Cricket Championships at Alice Springs in February.

Newcombe is not only just a gun wicketkeeper, but he is also a top-quality goalkeeper for Innisfail United, and has dabbled in hockey at school level.

The now 17-year-old idolises Adam Gilchrist, Australia’s greatest wicket keeper-batsman, and Mark Schwarzer, the decorated shot-stopper who was the last line of defence for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.

Kali-yah Taafili Taoso (Water Polo)

Kali-yah Taafili Taoso is a rising star of water polo who plays for Mermaids Junior and QLD Thunder Rep teams.

She is a member of multiple Queensland teams and also the Australia Under 18 Squad 2023 and Australian Under 20 Squad 2023.

Her goals are to encourage girls of all backgrounds to play water polo and to make an Olympic team.

“I have been very passionate about encouraging regional areas such as in NT and remote QLD in teaching girls about our fantastic sport and where it can lead them,’’ she said.

“I want to be an example to improve self esteem, enhance cultural connectedness that they can identify themselves with and be a positive role model.’’

Taoso Christian Corrie Taoso (Water Polo)

A youngster with talent to burn and a member of the UQ Barras rep teams, Queensland U15 and Australian Green U16 squad.

His goal is to “encourage boys of all backgrounds to play water polo, encouraging my peers and greater community with education about water polo and how it can really be such a large team sport with some great foundations.’’

“I remember when I was younger I saw a player, Joe Kayes, who was just like me.

“The first time I thought to myself if he can play at such a high level so can I.

“I want to be that for someone junior to see all types of players in water polo and to pursue their dream. To make an Olympic team and give back to my community.’’

Ariana Jeffrey (Netball)

She is only 12 years old but Ariana Jeffrey is already firming as netball star to watch.

With a resume that contains club, school, district, state and national honours, Jeffrey is most proud of making the U14 Australian Indigenous school girls team.

Starting netball at six-years-old, Jeffrey was coached by her grandmother.

“I think I just told mum one day that I wanted to do it (play netball), and then I just started,” she said.

“I think I just wanted to play because my mum and my nan are netballers.”

Jeffrey idolises fellow Toowoomba talent and current Sunshine Coast training partner Ava Black.

“I love watching Ava (Black) play, she is a centre like me and I enjoy watching her skill,” she said.

“I play centre mainly but sometimes I play as the wing attack as well, but centre is definitely my favourite position, even though it’s really tiring as you’re running so much.”

Lekaysha Woodbridge (Boxing)

Following in her late father’s footsteps and fighting in his honour, 15-year-old Lekaysha

Woodbridge is an up and coming boxer from Toowoomba.

With ambitions of winning a gold medal at the Olympics and fighting professionally, the

young star is fiercely driven to achieve her dreams.

Woodbridge’s idol is her coach and mentor Brendon Smith.

“I love Smithy, he does everything for us and I really look up to him,” she said.

“My father was his first fighter and Smithy has been like a father figure to me since dad

passed and I started boxing.”

Having already claimed golden gloves and junior titles, Woodbridge is driven by her desire to

succeed and explained how rewarding boxing is as a sport due to the commitment and

discipline required.

“When you get knocked down, you’ve got to get back up again,” she said.

“Boxing isn’t a sport that you can half-do, you’re either fully committed or you are not.”

NEW SOUTH WALES

Chanel Williams (Rugby Sevens)

Matraville High school student Chanel Williams has talent and speed to burn. The daughter of former Waratahs and Australian Sevens player Brendan, she is in the NSW Sevens emerging squad and a super fast halfback with good skills.

Williams also plays for Randwick Magic with her inspiration close to home.

“I was inspired by one of my dad‘s friends, Maurice Longbottom (Tokyo Olympian), and my uncle John, who played for South Sydney and La Perouse,” she said.

“They inspired me by their dedication to what they wanted, and the hard work they put in to achieve their dreams.’’

Telaya Blacksmith (Athletics)

Blacksmith has been making waves in track and field athletics for years and one of the top ranked under 20 para athletes in the world.

In April the young gun from Warilla High smashed the under 17 and under 20 Australian Open records in the 100m and also won the 400 metre.

She has also been selected to compete at the Vertis global games in France in June and is part of the Illawarra Academy of Sport with her goal the next Paralympics in France.

Acacia Elers (Netball)

Newcastle’s Acacia Elers is one of the most exciting and dynamic defensive midcourters in the Netball NSW pathway.

A wing defence and centre, she is part of the Hunter Academy of Sport netball squad and was recently named MVP at the Academy Games.

Despite being just 15, Elers trialled for the 2023 NSW 17U team and is bidding to be part of the Netball NSW’s First Nations Emerging Squad in 2023.

She also plays for Central Coast Heart Under 23s in the Netball NSW Premier League which feeds into the NSW Swifts and Giants Netball Academies and, subsequently, Suncorp Super Netball.

Her sporting hero is Marcia Ella Duncan, the first Indigenous Diamond netballer and sister of rugby’s famous Ella brothers.

Les Smith (Cricket)

Lesley Smith, 17, is a leg spin bowler from Wauchope RSL Cricket Club who attends Hastings Secondary College at Port Macquarie.

He won the national Indigenous cricket championships for NSW, taking a couple of wickets in the final after a chance meeting and breakfast with Test captain Steve Waugh.

“I introduced myself the first time I saw him at the oval, we had a little chat. Then I’ve seen him having brekkie at a hotel the next morning, so I went up to him and started talking more, he asked me to sit down and have brekkie with him. We talked heaps and he said I want you take a couple wickets today; I’m coming to watch your game,” Smith said.

“So, he came and I ended up grabbing 3 wickets in 3 overs or something. Steve Waugh captured it, interviewed me after and said he’d put it in his Spirit of Cricket book.

“After the game we swam together in the same pool. It was cool hanging out with one of the best cricketers ever. As a young Aboriginal person getting to meet a hero and become close with him was awesome. Young indigenous people like me pray to meet someone like him. Go to the Cricket Australia page and you’ll see Steve mentions me.”

Callee Black (Cricket)

Callee Black, 16, is from Mackillop College Bathurst and plays for Wellington District Cricket Club and Penrith Cricket Club.

An all-rounder who took 18 wickets for Penrith last season, she won the NSW women’s Premier Cricket first grade title.

“But my favourite moment is playing in the [under] 19s national champs in Adelaide as a 15-year-old and getting to watch Phoebe Litchfield score 161,” she said.

Miles Carl (Basketball)

Miles Carl is one of the Hunter’s most talented young basketballers.

At 15, Carl plays for the Maitland Mustangs’ under-16 division one team as either a small forward or power forward, and was last year selected in the 30-strong under-16s NSW Country squad for the NSW D-League.

All of this is quite remarkable given that he’s only been playing the game for three years, with the year 10 student first introduced to the sport by a couple of mates who’d signed up to play.

Inspired by the likes of Australian NBA stars Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and indigenous icon Patty Mills, Carl also has his sights set on trying to make the big league, and was last year named the Hunter Academy of Sport’s Indigenous Athlete of the Year.

“It’s a great honour to achieve that. It shows the reward of hard work that I’ve put in to get there.”

Hailee, Laini and Bridie Glover (Football)

Getting into soccer when they were five thanks to their father, 15-year-old triplets from the NSW South Coast Hailee, Laini and Bridie Glover have been on the rise.

They have been competing together ever since, currently teaming for the U16s South East Phoenix with Hailee up front as a striker, Laini a defensive midfielder and Bridie playing centre-fullback.

All three were also recently selected for the Football NSW U16s team, to take on Northern NSW Football in July for the second annual NAIDOC Cup, celebrating Indigenous culture through soccer.

Jack Talbott (Rugby League)

Young footy star Jack Talbott is making moves in the junior footy scene.

A relatively small frame but lightning fast, agile and possessing a mean step.

Currently playing club footy for the Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles in the U16s, Talbott has already been selected for a number of representative teams that shows the youngster has a bright future ahead of him in the game.

Most recently, Talbott was selected as fullback for the U16 Country side, as well as being one of nine inductees to the Dragons Junior Academy.

This comes off the back of a breakout season with the Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the Andrew Johns Cup, in which Talbott scored twice and was joint second highest point scorer in the league.

Blake Mete (BMX)

17-year-old Blake Mete is a rising BMX star of Torres Strait Islander descent.

Mete has been captain of the Illawarra Academy of Sport BMX team for the past two years and has been riding competitively since the age of 10.

He has faced a number of setbacks in his career including three collarbone breaks in as little as four years, but has bounced back each time.

He qualified for the National Championships in Launceston at the end of last year, challenging himself by competing in both the UCI Junior Elite Class and Superclass divisions.

Mete is also a BMX coach for younger heads than his, coaching the Mini Wheelers (ages two to five) as well as the beginner and intermediate riders at his local track in Albion Park.

Tarli Dennis (Rugby League)

For rising Canterbury-Bankstown player Tarli Dennis, 2023 represents the turning point of the 19-year-old’s flourishing career.

Tenacious and fleet footed, the wiry hooker was named as the club’s Tarsha Gale Cup (U18 women) player of the year, despite only earning her place in the starting side halfway through the season.

Blessed with vision and a strong passing game, the Greenacre junior’s dream of playing NRLW continues next year when she suits up in the women’s open age competition.

A Sydney girl whose parents come from Walgett, Tarli is a proud Kamilaroi woman who offers this advice.

“Don’t worry what other people think, just keep thriving on what matters to you the most.”

Braith Sloane (Rugby League)

From remote central western NSW, Braith Sloane is a prodigious 15-year-old on the rise.

Tall and athletic, the Condobolin High School student caught the eye of talent scouts at last year’s Combined High School’s carnival and more recently for the U15s Australian Indigenous team at the schoolboy championships.

Chased by a host of NRL clubs, the long striding fullback/centre has agreed to terms with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs where his goal of making the big time will continue via the club’s academy program.

For a closer look, fans can catch Braith in action next July at the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships in Redcliffe.

Steven Hall (Basketball)

The talented young gun has proven himself as a star of the future with dynamic displays for both New South Wales and Westfield Sports High.

At the latest Basketball Australia Schools Championships he caught eyes and made people take notice with a 37-point game.

In 2021 he was chosen to represent NSW in the U16s, before graduating this year to make the U18s state side.

The prolific scorer and team-first player looks up to Portland NBA superstar, a league he wants to get to one day, as well as representing the Boomers on the national stage in the future.

Jessie-May Hall (Basketball)

A prodigious talent who has shown an ability to play way above her age, Hall is building a resume beyond her years.

A student at Westfield Sports High, the young guard helped her school to claim gold in the U20s division at the Basketball Australia Schools Championships last year, leading the side as a 15-year-old.

That came just a week after lining up for Australia in the U15 Oceania Championships in Guam, where she came away with the gold.

Last year she played a key role in the NSW U16s claiming gold at the Australian Championships, before lining up for the U18s earlier this season and guiding her state to a silver medal.

There’s no doubt we will see more of her in the future after making Sapphires and Gems camps, with the WNBA and a spot in the Australian Opals team firmly in the dreams of Hall.

VICTORIA

Joziah Nannup (Aussie Rules)

Joziah Nannup is turning heads dangerously fast, the Dandenong Stingrays speedster has caught the attention of AFL recruiters with his blistering pace.

The 18-year-old out of Devon Meadows Football Club broke the Dandenong Stingrays 20m dash record with a 2.9s sprint.

“He is very proud of his culture and where he has come from, we can learn from him about it going forward as a group,” Stingrays coach Nick Cox said.

“We come from all different backgrounds and religions; I think we need to embrace all of that from different people.

“He is another one that we are interested in his journey and how his journey is going to go, not only as a footballer but as a person.”

Jett Hartman (Aussie Rules)

The 18-year-old footballer earlier this year made his debut for the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League after a pre-season with the Eastern Ranges.

Listed at Mooroolbark, the defender has emerged as one of the Eastern league Division 1 club’s brightest young talents “without doubt” according to senior coach Bret Lavars, after coming through the junior program.

This season he’s featured in six of the Mustangs’ matches for three mentions in the best.

Lavars says Hartman’s “ability to read the footy in the air and his intercept marking is one of his strengths”, adding his versatility as a back or forward is one of many strings to his bow.

Despite missing out on a list spot at the Ranges, Lavars says Hartman’s emergence at the Chargers is “a fantastic story of perseverance”.

Bailey Toseland (Cricket)

Cricket has taken 16-year-old Bailey Toseland around Australia and overseas in the past 12 months.

Playing for the Australian and Victorian indigenous sides in tournaments in Alice Springs and Vanuatu has only increased his desire to reach the highest level.

Toseland is one of the state’s most promising leg-spin bowlers.

He’s also a talented top order batsman, and a gun fielder.

But it’s his spin bowling that excites him most.

“I think I’m a bowler, but in saying that I still want to develop my batting and become a genuine two way player in batting and bowling,” he said.

“But I think my bowling is currently in front.

“It’s good to be able to make batsmen think about something without having to have pace on the ball.

“It’s good fun trying to make them look silly at times.

“The slider is probably my best ball.”

Toseland plays with Victorian Premier Cricket club Essendon and is aiming to break into the club’s first XI next season.

Amelia Hobson (Basketball)

Part of the Sandringham Sabres, home to the Southern Basketball Association, in Melbourne, Hobson is tipped to have a big future in the sport.

Earlier this year, she was selected in the Vic Metro team for the under-18 national championships as the team eventually went onto win silver.

At that level, Hobson showed off her ability to score freely and also guard some of the opposition’s best players.

She also has a tremendous ability to take care of the basketball.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Rome Burgoyne (Aussie Rules)

The son of Port Adelaide champion Peter Burgoyne and brother of current Power player Jase Burgoyne, 16-year-old Rome Burgoyne has been one of South Australia’s fastest rising prospects in recent years.

Starting his young career with Port District and now representing the Woodville West Torrens U18s and Prince Alfred College First XVIII side under coach Matt Slade, Burgoyne has excelled as an efficient and skilful half-back who reads the ball as well as anyone and punishes teams with his distribution.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with Port District and Eagles, as well as with PAC and I’ve enjoyed putting the work in to develop with all my coaches,” Burgoyne said.

“Hopefully this year I can finish strong with PAC and the Eagles U18s and hopefully get a nod for the state side.”

While Burgoyne has had his older brother and father to look up to throughout his journey so far, he has also had his fair share of AFL idols growing up, including Hawthorn icon Cyril Rioli.

“I’ve looked up to my dad a lot but definitely Cyril as well – he’s got that highlight reel everyone dreams of having and he was always super fun to watch.”

Megan Weetra (Aussie Rules)

At just 16 years old, Weetra is already the vice-captain of Noarlunga’s senior women’s team in the Southern Football League.

The star rover and half-forward played juniors with the Shoes before moving to Port Noarlunga, but returned to her original club for season 2023 and has been among her side’s best players in every game so far.

One of the top women’s prospects in SA country footy, Weetra looks up to and is inspired by Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and hopes to one day play AFLW.

“We’re the first senior women’s team in Noarlunga’s history so it’s been exciting to be part of that this year,” Weetra said.

“I’m not a very tall player but I love to run fast and take on challenges, it really gets my adrenaline going and I’ve been impactful that way.

“Away from footy I want to finish my education and do childcare studies but I’m also working hard to achieve entry into the indigenous pathway for AFLW players and become a role model for younger girls within my culture and community.”

Makayla Colson (Aussie Rules)

A star U14s player for the South Adelaide Basketball Club, Colson has shown strong potential as a guard with the Panthers.

Colson is a versatile player who can score the ball from anywhere, whether it be shooting from distance or finishing inside.

She has also become more adept at getting her teammates involved on offence with smart plays and reliable distribution.

Colson recently produced promising displays at the U14 Indigenous Basketball Australia national championships, playing alongside her sister Kaitlin Colson – also an upcoming prospect for South Adelaide.

TASMANIA

Bellah Parker and Mackenzie Ford (Aussie Rules)

Bellah Parker (17-years-old) and Mackenzie Ford (18) are proud indigenous girls, who play for Tasmania’s elite girls football team in the Victorian under-18 competition.

Bellah is a forward and Mackenzie a tough onballer.

“I have a leadership role as well to get around the girls and bring the team together,” Bellah said.

Both girls are in their second year in the Devils Girls program

“Tassie is a unique place and to be able to represent our state is special,” Mackenzie said.

Bellah and Mackenzie were both part of the AFL Indigenous Academy, where they met numerous AFLW role models.

“Last year we met Erin Phillips. That was pretty incredible, just because she’s a cross-code athlete as well as being amazing at footy,” Bellah said.

“This year we met Aliesha Newman from the Sydney Swans. She’s been playing for eight years now.

“Being able to hang with these people and get to know their culture, let alone their footy, is pretty cool. So I look up to these people.”

Mackenzie is also full of admiration for Philips and other indigenous AFLW stars.

“It’s huge to be indigenous and have people look up to you, doing the same dream as what we have,” she said.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Brylee Kerrin (Soccer, Touch Rugby, Aussie Rules)

Brylee Kerrin, a proud Arrernte and Warramunga young person, commenced playing soccer in Central Australia at the age of nine and it was clear from the start she possessed some deadly footwork and agility skills.

Kerrin began her career on fire with selection for regional and NT representation in her first four years.

Her talent saw Kerrin travel to Adelaide where she was lucky enough to captain the NT side at the 2007 Pacific School Games.

Kerrin was also a part of the soccer academy and had the opportunity to travel to Davenport Tasmania to play where she was the only female in the NT team.

She won a premiership last year with the Vikings in Alice Springs.

Touch Rugby was much the same for Kerrin when she picked the game up quite quickly and was identified early for her agility, her deadly step, reading plays, speed, vision and was one of the few girls that could throw a long ball.

Since her touch football journey began, she has captained the Alice Springs sides, NT teams twice at the School Sports, the Alliance Cup in Adelaide and the National Youth Championships in Sunshine Coast.

Kerrin has also excelled in AFL footy since taking up the game two years ago.

She has won two club premierships with the Rovers, represented the NT with NT Thunder and is a part of the Pink Tails football program who travel down to Adelaide to play in the SANFL Development competition.

Last season, Kerrin was best on ground in her second premiership with the Rovers and also finished second in the club’s best and fairest count.

Weston Tedcastle (Rugby, Basketball)

Teenage Indigenous sports star Weston Tedcastle is an emerging wheelchair athlete across the realms of rugby and basketball, years after receiving confronting health news at just four years of age.

The Darwin-born 15-year-old is currently playing in the local wheelchair basketball competition with the Darwin Dingoes, alongside former Darwin Saltie Matty Hunt.

It’s been a long journey to this point for Tedcastle, who at the age of four contracted melioidosis – causing acute flaccid paralysis – affecting his ability to walk.

However, seven years later, he got involved with Junior Wheelies basketball, while also giving wheelchair rugby a crack.

Today, he is an ambassador for wheelchair basketball in the Territory and is currently training with the Salties’ NWBL team.

He made his Wheelchair Rugby League debut in 2021 as a 13-year-old development player. Tedcastle, who idolising fellow Indigenous legend Johnathan Thurston, has been described as “tough as a $2 steak and with a heart as big as Uluru” by the Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League.