Junior sport stars from across the region answer questions in focus profiles

Our first group were part of the latest round of the Local Sporting Champions program with Page MP Kevin Hogan.

They come from baseball, netball, rugby union and swimming.

What is your favourite sport and what was it about it that got you hooked?

Swimming. It helps with mental and physical strength. It's a great sport all-round.

What is your proudest sporting moment? When and where did it happen?

Getting a qualifying time for my first meet in Sydney. I was really young at the time and that was a big moment.

Who is your favourite coach/ biggest influence in sport and what have they taught you so far?

I moved to Alstonville 12 months ago and (coach) Graham Walker really got me going. He's just moved on, but he has given me a lot of confidence.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing sporting moment and how did you overcome it?

It's always a bit embarrassing if you get disqualified in any of the races. You just have to block it out and move on.

What are your sports goals for the next 6-12 months and how do you plan to achieve them?

I'd love to get a national relay time with a few of the other boys at the club. That will be the thing I'm most looking forward to.

What is your favourite sport and what was it about it that got you hooked?

Netball. I started in the Net Set Go program for kids when I was five and I haven't really stopped since.

What is your proudest sporting moment? When and Where did it happen?

Making the Lismore (district) team in my first year was a big accomplishment. That was in 2021.

Who is your favourite coach/ biggest influence in sport and what have they taught you so far?

All of my coaches have really helped me. I had Tash last year and she really helped me with my shooting.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing sporting moment and how did you overcome it?

Jumping and falling during a game is always embarrassing. You just have to get up and get on with it.

What are your sports goals for the next 6-12 months and how do you plan to achieve them?

I'll go to Sydney again this year. And I'm just looking forward to being back playing on the weekends.

What is your favourite sport and what was it about it that got you hooked?

Baseball. My Dad Clint represented Queensland and we've always been around the game.

What is your proudest sporting moment? When and Where did it happen?

It was an honour to represent NSW Country (this year). Not everyone has that privilege and it was great to see all the hard work pay off.

Who is your favourite coach/ biggest influence in sport and what have they taught you so far?

My dad is a big one, he was one of the country coaches. George Cooper is another one. He's from Lismore and is playing in the US after representing Australia.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing sporting moment and how did you overcome it?

There have been a few. In a Queensland Cup grand final I was playing for Gold Coast and had a bad game. I threw my helmet and it bounced up and hit the coach. He wasn't too happy and I was benched for the rest of the game.

What are your sports goals for the next 6-12 months and how do you plan to achieve them?

I just need to keep training. There is never really a limit to how much you can do in baseball, so I'm just going to keep pushing.

What is your favourite sport and what was it about it that got you hooked?

Rugby union and refereeing. Our division fell through and I didn't want to go up a grade, so I decided to become a referee.

What is your proudest sporting moment? When and Where did it happen?

I refereed the Far North Coast under-18 grand final at Wollongbar last season. That was a big achievement.

Who is your favourite coach/ biggest influence in sport and what have they taught you so far?

I'm lucky that we have a good group of senior referees around. They pass on any skills or information they can.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing sporting moment and how did you overcome it?

Falling over on the field was embarrassing. I was lucky it was in open play, so it didn't affect the game at all.

What are your sports goals for the next 6-12 months and how do you plan to achieve them?

I would like to do a senior men's final this year and represent the zone at NSW Country level.

What is your favourite sport and what was it about it that got you hooked?

Netball. All my friends were playing when I was about seven, so I decided to join them. I started playing rep as soon as I could.

What is your proudest sporting moment? When and Where did it happen?

It's always fun to do at one of our carnivals or when you get to play a game at state.

Who is your favourite coach/ biggest influence in sport and what have they taught you so far?

I really like my coach Melissa Dickson. I've had her pretty much the whole time. She's tough, but really fair.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing sporting moment and how did you overcome it?

It's definitely falling over on the court, which can happen fairly often. You just have to get up and keep playing.

What are your sports goals for the next 6-12 months and how do you plan to achieve them?

I plan to work on my shooting this year and I'll be doing extra work at home. Playing in Sydney again is something to look forward to as well.

What is your favourite sport and what was it about it that got you hooked?

Netball. All my friends were playing in primary school and found it a lot of fun when I started playing.

What is your proudest sporting moment? When and Where did it happen?

I really loved playing at state. All the girls pushed each other to be at our best and we had some really fun moments.

Who is your favourite coach/ biggest influence in sport and what have they taught you so far?

All of my coaches have been great. They've taught me to play my own game and that you can be who you want to be.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing sporting moment and how did you overcome it?

I tripped over a girls foot and fell flat on my face at state. That hurt, but I got up and kept playing.

What are your sports goals for the next 6-12 months and how do you plan to achieve them?

I'm looking forward to playing state again in June. We have a bit of time to prepare for that one.

If you know or would like to see a junior sport star featured let us know by email on editorial@lismorecitynews.com.au.