INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2026: THE YOUTH WHO MOVE QUEENSLAND SPORT FORWARD

By Chloe Jones, Communications Officer, QSport.

A Statewide celebration of talent, leadership & possibility

Young Queenslander’s are rewriting the future of sport – boldly, brilliantly, and together. Across every region and every code, they are stepping forward as athletes, leaders, officials, creators, volunteers, and community champions.

This week for International Youth Day, QSport celebrates them.

STATEWIDE YOUTH ACHIEVEMENTS

A cross-sport showcase of Queensland’s rising stars, emerging leaders, and future champions – with quotes, photos, and articles to bring their stories to life. 

NETBALL QUEENSLAND

Netball’s next generation is rising fast. Queensland’s young athletes are showing exceptional skill, leadership and resilience across national championships, elite pathways, and emerging talent programs. Their achievements reflect the strength of female participation and the growing influence of youth leadership across the sport.

Ruby Stanford MVP – National Netball Championships

Ruby Stanford delivered an outstanding tournament performance, earning MVP honours and showcasing maturity beyond her years.

QFFA Frequent Flyer Athlete

One young athlete Ruby Croxford has travelled extensively to pursue her netball dream, reflecting the dedication and commitment seen across Queensland’s pathways. 

Sasha Flegler – Firebirds Debut 

Sasha Flegler made a composed and confident debut for Queensland Firebirds, marking a significant milestone in her development.

International Youth Day Feature

Netball Queensland’s youth leadership story will be highlighted next week through a special face-to-face interview with emerging young leader Adelaide Hall. Her insights on youth voice, representation and the future of netball, captured in her belief that “Sport builds people”. This will be released as part of QSport’s international Youth Day video feature.

AFL QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s young footy players continue to push boundaries and redefine what the future of AFL looks like. From all-girls participation programs to elite youth pathways, their passion is driving the game forward across the state.

All Girls NAB AFL Auskick

Young girls had the opportunity to run out at a Toyota AFL match, building confidence and strengthening female participation pathways.

U18 Queensland Girls Team

The U18 Queensland Girls team delivered strong performances, showcasing the depth of emerging talent across the state.

Ronald McDonald House Charity Round

Junior players embraced the spirit of community, supporting charity initiatives while competing across local fixtures.

Additional Youth Highlights:

• Bachar Houli Primary School Day.
• Multicultural School Day Program.
• QSchools Cup.
• SEQJ Grand Finals.
• Youth Nines Challenge.

SURF LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND.

Surf Life Saving Queensland continues to develop confident, capable, and community-minded youth officials across the state. These young leaders play a vital role in ensuring safe, fair, and well-run surf sports competitions, while also contributing to the broader lifesaving movement. Young officials are stepping into key roles at carnivals, club events, and regional competitions. Their professionalism, composure and commitment are strengthening the future of surf sports officiating. 

Shoreline Magazine

Surf Life Saving Queensland recently highlighted youth officials and development pathways in Shoreline Magazine – issue 14.

SURFING QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s young surfers are making waves – literally. From Grom Comps to national titles, their courage creativity and coastal pride are shining through every event.

Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp

Queensland Groms delivered impressive performances, demonstrating skill and bravery in challenging conditions.

Australian Longboard Titles

Junior and open competitors represented Queensland strongly, achieving standouts results on the national stage.

TENPIN BOWLING QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s youth bowlers continue to impress on the national stage, delivering precision, determination and standout performances across multiple divisions and championships.

National Youth Championships

Queensland athletes achieved podium finishes across several divisions, reflecting strong development across the state.

PADDLE QUEENSLAND

Young paddlers across Queensland are embracing challenge, teamwork, and outdoor adventure. Their commitment to growth – both on and off the water, is strengthening participation and empowering young women and men statewide.

She Believed She Could Paddle

Participants engaged in a female-focused paddling initiative designed to build confidence and community. 

2026 School Marathon Championships

Students showed impressive teamwork and resilience throughout the marathon event. 

DRAGON BOAT QUEENSLAND

Youth paddlers are bringing energy, rhythm, and cultural connection to every boat. Their teamwork and enthusiasm are driving a new wave of youth engagement in dragon boating.

Youth Participation Reels

Clubs across Queensland showcased youth involvement through dynamic social media reels capturing teamwork and spirit.

LITTLE ATHLETICS QUEENSLAND

Little Athletics continues to nurture Queensland’s future leaders, not just on the track, but in officiating, volunteering, and community leadership. These young people embody the spirit of Participation and service.

George Harvey Leadership Award

Two young leaders were recognised for their outstanding contributions to their centres and communities. 

Junior Official of the Year – Phoenix Mackay

Phoenix Mackay was celebrated for her professionalism and commitment as a junior official.

Junior Volunteer of the Year Finalist – Corey Lockwood

Corey Lockwood was acknowledged for his exceptional involvement across athletics, officiating, and volunteering.

ROYAL LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s young lifesavers are stepping forward with courage and community spirit. Through education, leadership, and water safety program, they are making a real impact across the state.

NextGen Lifesavers

The NextGen Lifesavers initiative is a Department of Sport-funded program designed to develop the next wave of young water safety leaders. Participants engage in hands-on training, leadership workshops, and practical aquatic safety sessions, gaining skills that support both personal development and community wellbeing. 

TENNIS QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s young tennis players are exciting across cultural programs, national championships, and leadership initiatives. Their talent and dedication are shaping the future of sport. 

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival Team

Queensland’s team represented culture and community proudly at the national carnival.

Australian Teams Championships

Queensland athletes achieved strong results across multiple age divisions.

Women & Girls Weekend

Participants engaged in leadership, development and participation activities focused on empowering young women.

Additional Youth Highlights:

• Ash Barty Schools Challenge.
• Young Women Leaders in Tennis.
• Rising Aussies: Tori Russell.
• International Tennis Tours.
• Junior Claycourt Championships.

EQUESTRIAN QUEENSLAND

Young riders across Queensland are proving discipline, maturity and passion through school championships and development scholarships. Their commitment to excellence is strengthening equestrian pathways statewide.

Inter-school Championships

Riders from across Queensland competed with skill and sportsmanship.

Remi Stud Young Rider Scholarship

The scholarship continues to support young riders through mentorship and development opportunities.

QUEENSLAND BILLIARDS & SNOOKER ASSOCIATION

Queensland’s youth cue sports athletes are achieving remarkable success on national and international stages. Their precision, focus and competitive spirit are setting new standards for the sport.

Lilly Meldrum

Lilly Meldrum secured the World Under-19s Girls 9-Ball title, adding to her growing list of achievements.

GOLF QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s junior golfers are gaining momentum across national events, with young athletes showing sharp technical skill and impressive competitive maturity, one standout performer is Tayla Potter, whose recent results highlight the strength of youth development within Golf Queensland’s pathways. 

Potter’s Rising Momentum

Tayla has delivered a series of strong performances across junior tournaments, showing precision, consistency, and impressive course management. Her ability to stay composed under pressure reflects the growing strength of Queensland’s youth golf pathways.

BASEBALL QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s young baseballers are proving they are ready for the world stage. Through high-performance pathways and international opportunities, they are displaying skill, determination, and home-run pride.

Road to the World Series

Queensland athletes continue to progress through international pathways towards the World Series.

Keep Moving Forward

This captures just a snapshot of what our youth in sport are capable of, there is so much more happening across Queensland every single day. From big stadiums to small community clubs, young people continue to show the determination, pride and resilience that define the Queensland spirit. It is this energy that drives our sporting future and keeps Queensland moving forward.