A final-minute goal for Australia in India, a world championship medal in Bangkok, and a 12-year-old beating adults. This year’s Junior Sportstar of the Year nominees show where Far North Queensland sport is heading. These six junior athletes from Cairns are all in the running for up to $35,000 in prizes and scholarships at the 36th NQ Sportstar Awards on Saturday 17 October in Cairns.
Franky Baker, 17 – Hockey
Franky wore the green and gold this year as part of the Australian U18 men’s squad that toured India. In the opening match in Bhopal, he scored a final minute goal to level the game 2–2. He was also named in Queensland’s Maroon U18 team for the national championships in Darwin, where the side won silver. Recently coming back from a leg injury, Franky also coaches Souths’ U8s and Cairns’ U14 boys rep team, and umpires junior games, including last year’s U18A girls grand final. His next goal is the U18 Australian Futures squad. Franky was awarded St Augustine’s College’s Junior Sportsman of the Year in 2025.
Grayson Coleman, 13 – Squash
Already in Squash Australia’s Next Gen Squad, which identifies the country’s best under-15 juniors, Grayson recently won the Queensland U15 title, heading to Tasmania this October in an attempt to secure a National title. With his long-term goal set on an Olympic podium appearance, he trains alongside former world-class professionals in Rachael Grinham, Jenny Duncalf and Stewart Boswell in Cairns – recently recieving the Queensland Eagle Award for sportsmanship.
Joshua Girren, 16 – Muay Thai and BJJ
Already an Australian National Champion in Muaythai, Joshua took bronze at the WBC Muay Thai World Championships in Bangkok in June. That’s in addition to recent international Golds in boxing, Muay Thai and BJJ at the ISKA Open in Sanya, China. A back-to-back State Champion currently training with Team Australia, Joshua’s older brother Isaiah will also represent Cairns in the over 18+ category.
Tyler Addo, 17 – Rugby League and Rugby Union
Positionally a Five-Eighth, Tyler Addo captained the Northern Pride in the Cyril Connell Cup scoring a try against the Ipswich Jets in Round 2, and captained Trinity Bay in the Aaron Payne Cup. Taking his exceptional passing game across codes into Union, he represented Queensland Country at Nationals and played at the 17–18 school nationals. Greg Inglis is his hero, with Tyler hoping to follow in his footsteps to go pro.
Valentina Oberdan, 17 – Football
Valentina has been Far North Queensland’s most dangerous striker for several seasons. She was the FQPL Far North & Gulf Women’s Player of the Year in 2025, capturing that trophy for the second time. Valentina took back-to-back Golden Boots, scoring 21 goals in 12 games this season for Edge Hill United, and subsequently was selected to the Queensland U18 Squad to compete at Nationals – winning silver. Oh, and she can run too, placing second in the U18 800m at the QLD State Schools Titles. Her goal is to play professionally and represent Australia.
Vanessa Fitzgerald, 12 – Tennis
Possibly the youngest finalist across the standout class of 25+, Left handed Vanessa is ranked number one in Australia for her birth year. Touring internationally this year with Tennis Australia, she reached a semi-final and a quarter-final in Amsterdam and a quarter-final in Germany. At home, she made the final of the U12 National Clay Court Championships in Canberra, and she won all 16 of her matches as Queensland claimed the Bruce Cup. With her sights set on Brisbane 2032, she already added a handful of regional Open’s Trophies to her collection including the 2025 Townsville Women’s Open Singles.
Be there on 17 October
The NQ Sportstar Awards are the North Queensland Sports Foundation’s annual celebration of the region’s best in sport and have been celebrated every year since 1991. Coming to Cairns for the first time with a partnership with Cairns Regional Council, there are limited tickets remaining to come and see who takes out Junior Sportstar of the Year, along with 8 other Categories, Hall of Fame inductions and up to $35,000 in cash and scholarships
[Buy tickets – link]
Follow NQSF on Facebook for nominee profiles and the winner announcement.
All attempts to ensure accuracy of information have been made. Photos supplied by finalists or related parties.
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