Richo set to lead the Coast raid at states
PALM Beach whiz-kid Ty Richardson will have a target on his back this weekend at the Queensland Grommet Titles series on the Sunshine Coast.
Richardson stormed to last year’s under-14 crown but won’t have things all his own way this time as Mount Coolum rising talent Ashton Pignat steps up from the under-12s to contest the 14s.
Elanora’s Grace Kama heads the under-14 girls competition, with last year’s champion Lilliana Bowery (Tewantin) and the 2017 under-12 champion Jahly Stokes (Buddina) looking to take glory.
Bowery also took out the under-12 girls division in 2016 so she is chasing a third consecutive Queensland grommet title in this year’s series.
Sunshine Coaster and 2017 Queensland under 12-boys runner-up Landen Smales will have his chance at redemption this weekend as he competes against some of Queensland’s best grommets.
Smales was close to victory in last year’s series but was beaten by Pignat in the dying minutes of the event 2 final.
The Queensland Grommet Titles is the exclusive qualification pathway for the state’s elite juniors aiming for selection in Queensland’s junior team to compete at the Australian titles later in the year.
Queensland regional camp selections will be made from the first rounds for both the under-16s and 18s as well as the 12s and 14s.