Sport

6 November, 2025

Team spirit key to winners

LAST month, Innisfail Leprechauns junior rugby league wrapped up a successful 2025 season and celebrated team spirit and standout player achievements at their awards presentation at Callendar park.

Contributed By Maria Girgenti

Under 6 to under 12 players received participation medals, while individual players from under 13 to 17 teams received trophies.

This year the club had strong participation with 300 juniors across all age groups which included three under seven teams and two under 12 teams.

In the competitive age groups, Innisfail fielded teams in under 13 to under 17, as well as an under 15 and under 17 girls’ teams.

The under 17 girls team defeated Kangaroos 18 – 8 in the grand final and claimed the Far North Queensland rugby league premiership, while the under 14 boys progressed to the preliminary final against Redlynch but went down 22 - 10.

Innisfail had 10 nominations across the competitive age groups for the player of the year silver medal.

Kyuss Barba and Kobe Tomarra (under 13 boys), D J Weare and Jasper Sulter (under 14), and Zaeden Kitching-Ely (under 15), Ashton Stepanoff and Jack Croatto (under 16), and Saul Lokotui (under 17), while Dylan Barba and Sienna Toby were finalists in the under 15 girls.

Kyuss Barba (under 13) and Saul Lokotui (under 17) took out silver medals at the prestigious junior awards dinner held in Cairns.

Throughout the season, Innisfail teams participated in carnivals which included the Paul Bowman challenge in Proserpine (under 9), Gordon Tallis cup in Townsville (under 10), Laurie Spina shield in Townsville (under 11), Nate Myles cup in Gordonvale (under 13) and Tom Tassell cup in Cairns (under 14).

Innisfail Leprechauns juniors Award winners: (rugby league)

Under 13

• Best forward: Noah Higgins,

• Best back: Kobe Tomarra,

• Coaches’ award: Bamia Mast,

• Best and fairest: Kyuss Barba,

• Most improved: Daniel Tutavake.

Under 13 girls

• Best forward: Ally-Rose Clayton-Payne,

• Best back: Jazlyn Tomarra,

• Coaches’ award: Rose Nowlan,

• Best and fairest: Racquel Gavin and Kimmy Weare,

• Most improved: Hannah Locke.

Under 14

• Best forward: Riley Duffy,

• Best back: Elijah English,

• Coaches’ award: Ben Kingston,

• Best and fairest: Riley Duffy.

Under 15

• Best forward: Tyler Vue,

• Best back: Liam Quabba,

• Best and fairest: Zaeden Kitching Ely,

• Players’ player: Denan McLeod,

• Manager’s award: Zaeden Kitching Ely.

Under 15 girls

• Best forward: Laura Mooka,

• Best back: Rani Norkett,

• Coaches’ award: Alyssa Wolff,

• Best and fairest: Dylan Barba,

• Most improved: Rebi Strickland.

Under 16

• Best forward: Jayden Lacaze,

• Best back: Jack Croatto,

• Best and fairest: Jack Croatto,

• Players’ player: Jack Croatto.

Under 17

• Best forward: Kaleb Ivey,

• Best back: Logan Epong,

• Coaches’ award: Tristan Silvia,

• Best and fairest: Dallas Terewaumu,

• Most improved: Lachlan Walker.

Under 17 girls

• Best forward: Arianna Martin,

• Best back: Brydee Spry (6 tries),

• Coaches’ award: Kayden Plumb (9 tries),

• Best and fairest: Shiloh Babsek (6 tries),

• Most dedicated player: Lillee Barba (8 tries),

• Players player: Arianna Martin,

• All-rounder: Marli Whap,

• Most improved: Delila Clark,

• Commitment award: Nylese Meredith,

• Encouragement award: Aaliyah Edwards,

• Rookie of the year: Elizabeth (Ellie) Kepa, and

• For their commitment to the club, Ryan and Fiona Stepanoff received the volunteer of the year award.

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