Queensland’s finest prepared for states
Statewide school sport is back with a bang in Toowoomba.
The Queensland School Sport Championships 10-19 Squash State Championships will take centre stage this week, marking one of the first school state competitions to take place since enforced postponements.
Darling Downs coach and championship convener Ron Weatherby is no stranger to success at the event, winning in 1983 and 1984 as a member of Brisbane South.
He said the event going ahead, particularly to send off l Year 12 students with a lasting memory, is good.
“It’s good to be able to give these students one last chance to represent their region,” Weatherby said.
“It will be nice to say goodbye to Downs players like Isaac Halling, Kristen Taylor and Dana Kennedy who have been in the team for a few years.
“Corrin Nugteren from Centenary Heights State School has been training with the side for the last four years and made the team this year. He’s been fantastic in getting his mates to play.”
While the Downs will meet some stiff competition from credentialed regions, Weatherby said players will have the chance to push for Queensland selection.
“Ronan Siddans got to seventh last year and he’s a real chance to push for selection,” he said.
“He’s a big, strong lad who hits the ball hard. If he keeps his head together he can go pretty well.
“Isaac is the team captain and has been coming away for a few years now. He’ll play strongly in his fourth trip.”
The four-day competition gets underway at the Toowoomba Squash Association today, which Weatherby said has done a great job to put on a safe program.
“They’ve done a fantastic job of getting the courts back up and going,” he said.
“There’s nine courts, and it will be the first time in 25 years that nine courts are available.
“The association’s preparations for COVID restrictions have been fantastic.” DOWNS PLAYERS
15 Years Male: Rohan Siddans (Toowoomba Christian College), Cameron Rollings (Chinchilla SHS), Nathan Rollings (Chinchilla SHS), Keegan Luckraft (Chinchilla SHS), Gilbert Tighe (Toowoomba Grammar School)
19 Years Male: Isaac Halling (Our Lady of the Southern Cross College), Dylan Woodbine (St George SHS), Nicholas Brown (Dalby SHS), Corrin Nugteren (Centenary Heights SHS) 15 Years Female: Stephanie Lyons (Warwick SHS), Tara-Kate Russell (Tara Shire State College)
19 Years Female: Annika Rossington (St Joseph’s School Stanthorpe), Kristen Taylor (Dalby SHS), Cody Vines (Centenary Heights SHS), Dana Kennedy (Dalby SHS)