CSNSW's Olympic Success

CSNSW's Olympic Success

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Published: 23rd July 2021

Updated: 5th August 2021, 11:00am

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics official opening ceremony beginning today, CSNSW has seen some great sporting successes with our Australian Olympians coming through our pathway. Of this year’s Australian Olympic team, an astounding 40 members came through the CSNSW pathway, with 1 further past student representing another Country.

Read about their stories here:

Rose Davies - Women’s Athletics 5,000m

Former student of Holy Family Merewether Beach primary school, St Pius Adamstown 7-10, and St Francis Xavier’s Hamilton, Rose Davies first started running around the age of 12 and within 2 years was the best in the nation, clocking startling times of 2:08 (800m) and 4:27 (1500m). After running on-and-off again, Rose ran an outstanding 32:02 road 10km in Launceston in December 2020. In 2021, she was one to watch with a career highlight, winning the Zatopek with 31:39.97. In late may this year, she achieved her first Olympic qualifier of 15:08.48 over 5000m in Holland.

Rose will go on to make her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, representing Australian in the Athletics, the Women’s 5,000m event.

Nicola McDermott - Women’s Athletics High Jump

Former student at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Woy Woy, Nicola was introduced to athletics when she was seven. Since then, she found her love for high jump and has equaled or improved her jump every decade since. In 2018, McDermott was a medallist at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, in 2019 she increased her personal best by five centimetres to 1.96m. The height moved her to equal third Australian all-time. In 2020, McDermott cleared 1.90m in every competition competing in Europe, including setting a personal best of 1.98m, just 1cm below the 1.99m Australian record set by Eleanor Patterson. 

Nicola is set to make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games where she will be competing in the Women's Athletics High Jump.  

Liz Clay - Women’s Athletics 100m Hurdles

Former student at Our Lady of Rosary Waitara, Liz Clay is set to make her Olympic Debut in Tokyo. At a very young age, Liz started her sporting career at Hornsby Little Athletics in the under 10’s. Clay was then selected for her junior international debut at the 2014 World Juniors in the 100m hurdles, however had to withdraw from the team weeks before departure due to injury. Finally, in the 2019/2020 summer she had a breakthrough in her sporting career where she ran a 100m personal best and in the 100m hurdles she broke her three-year-old best, running at 13.26. Clay then went on to run a fantastic 12.94 in Melbourne, becoming the fourth-fastest in Australian history. In the summer of 2020/2021, she further set two personal bests of 12.84 and 12.72, both Olympic qualifiers, as she became the second fastest in Australian history.

As the second fastest in Australia, Liz is set to make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games in the 100m Hurdle’s event.

Ellie Pashley - Women’s Athletics Marathon

Ellie Pashley (O’Kane) is set to make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games in the Women’s Marathon event. Former Xavier High School Albury student, Ellie competed in Cross Country both at NSWCCC level and at NSW All Schools. In 2006, Ellie was the recipient of a Blue’s Award for Cross Country. Following High School at age 27, she ran 2:46 in her debut marathon in Melbourne 2016. In 2018, she represented Australia at the World Half Marathon Championships placing 24^th with a personal best of 71:43. The momentum continued in early 2019 with a 2:26.21 marathon in Nagoya, elevating her to eighth in Australia all-time and nailing the Tokyo Olympic Qualifier.

Ellie is on track to exceed these times and make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games, representing Australia in the Women’s Marathon.

Nicholas Kay - Men's Basketball

Former student at St Edward's Primary Tamworth, Nick Kay represented the Armidale Diocesan Primary Sport Council as well  as Polding in school. After school, Nick moved to the US to play with the Denver's Metropolitan State University, Colorado. He finished college as the second-ranked player in Roadrunners history with free throws made (449), games played (114) and minutes (3,69). In 2016, he moved to the Illawarra Hawks and then in 2018 to the Perth Wildcats, winning his first NBL title in 2019 over Melbourne United. Nick was also a part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold-medal winning side over Canada. 

Nicholas is set to make his Olympic debut, representing Australia in the Men's Basketball team. 

Katie Rae Ebzery - Women's Basketball

At the age of five or six, Katie-Rae started playing basketball socially whilst attending St Paul’s Gateshead primary school. She excelled in the sport and by the age of nine she way playing representative basketball for Newcastle. Former Catholic Diocese of Maitland/ Newcastle student, Ebzery played for the Newcastle Hunters whilst attending St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead. She went on to make her Olympic debut in Rio 2016, where Ebzery played in all of the six matches Australia had in Rio, averaging four points in under 12 minutes per game.  Since then, Katie-Rae has won gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Katie-Rae is set to play at her second Olympics at the Tokyo Olympic games 2020 on the Australian Women’s Basketball Team.

Paulo Aokuso - Boxing Light Heavyweight

From the Catholic Education Diocese of Paramatta, Paulo showed promise in many sporting endeavours from an early age. Former student at Good Shepherd Plumpton and St Clare’s Catholic High School Hassall Grove, Paulo was a competent shot put and discus thrower in his teenage years. At the age of 18, Paulo took up boxing and joined the Queensland Academy of Boxing. In 2020, Paulo was on his way to the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifying event, defeating Vietnam’s Manh Nguyen in a semi-final, granting him a Tokyo 2020 spot.

Paulo is set to make his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games in Light Heavyweight Boxing.

Lachlan Tame - Men’s Canoe Sprint K-2 1000m

Lachlan joined the Avoca Beach SLSC as a five-year-old. Former St Edward’s East Gosford student then started ski paddling at the age of 18. In 2011 he won the single ski event at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, but his Canoe Sprint breakthrough came in 2014 when he partnered with Beijing 2008 gold medalist, Ken Wallace to win World Championships silver in the K2 1000m. Tame made his Olympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games, where he teamed up with triple Olympian, Ken Wallace in the K2 1000m to take home the bronze medal. In 2020, he teamed up with Olympic gold medalist, Murray Stewart to win K2 1000m bronze at the 2020 Australian Canoe Sprint Championships.

Lachlan is set to make his second Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, representing Australia in the Men’s Canoe Sprint K-2 1000m event.

Sam Fricker - Men’s Diving 10m Platform

Former Holy Family Merewether Beach student, from the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic diocese, Sam Fricker represented Polding in Diving. At just 12 years old, Sam became a triple-gold medalist in the boys 12-13 years age category at the 2015 National Age Diving Championships, winning the 1m Springboard, 10m Platform and 3m Synchronised Springboard dive, seeing him be crowned Diver of the Year.

At just 19-years-old, Sam Fricker is on his way to Tokyo to debut at his first Olympic games, representing Australia in the Men’s Diving 10m Platform.

Cameron Devlin - Men’s Football

Newcastle Jets’, Cameron Devlin, will make his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games as a midfielder for the Olyroos in the Men’s

Football event. Former St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Como and St Patrick’s College Sutherland student, Cameron was a representative for SSCCC when competing in the NSWCCC Football Championships, including being a part of the team when they won the championships overall. Cameron was also selected into the NSW All Schools Football team and was an Australian School’s Representative during his time in high school. He began his professional football career for the Western Sydney Wanderers U21 in the National Premier League. He moved to the Sydney FC U21 for two years and was soon called up to the A-League for Sydney FC, where he made seven appearances over the 2019-2020 season.

Cameron is set to make his Olympic debut at the 2020 Olympic games, alongside the Australian Men’s Football Team.

Jordan Holmes - Men’s Football

Former Aquinas College Menai student, Jordan played football for the Rockdale City Suns and Sydney United in the NSW Youth Premier League. In 2013, he moved to South England to play for AFC Bournemouth. Since leaving Australia, Jordan has made 22 National appearances, conceding only 29 goals in his six years in England. The goalkeeper has represented Australia for both the U19s and U20s Asian Championships, as well as the U20s World Cup Qualifiers. At just 19-years-old, Jordan was named to the national Young Socceroos squad and is the vice-captain of the U23 Australian Olyroos squad.

Jordan Holmes will make his Olympic debut as the goalkeeper for the Australian Olyroos at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Marco Tilio - Men's Football

Former St Michael’s Belfield and Christian Brothers Lewisham student, Marco Tilio will make his Olympic debut at only 19-years of age.

Named to the Young Socceroos in 2019, Tilio was only seventeen when he travelled to Vietnam for the AFF U18 Youth Championships, winning gold in Ho Chi Minh City. The right wing player joined Melbourne FC in September of 2020, after being recruited from Sydney FC. He has since appeared in 39 matches, producing 8 goals across his time at the Sydney National Premier Leagues Club, the Sydney FC A-League Squad and now Melbourne FC.

At only 19-years-old, Marco Tilio will make his Olympic debut as one of the youngest members of the Australian Olympic Men’s Football Team.

Dominic Clarke - Men's Gymnastics Trampoline

Born in Plymouth, England, Dominic moved to Australia at a young age. Attending Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville, Dominic was encouraged by his father to try out gymnastics. He showed immense talent in the sport and before long was competing in his first National Championships, placing second in Synchronised Trampolining. By the age of 18, Clarke had gained four Synchronised Trampoline National Titles, amassed an international record in Junior competitions and had placed 6th in the U13 division at the 2008 World Age Championships in Russia. In 2017, Dominic earned the title of Elite Double Mini Trampoline Male Athlete of the Year at the Gymnastics New South Wales Awards. In 2018, he was named the 2017 Trampoline Senior Male Gymnast of the Year.

Dominic is set to make his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games, representing Australia in the Men's Individual Trampoline. 

Matthew Dawson - Men's Hockey

Former Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School The Entrance and St Edward’s College Gosford student, Matthew Dawson, is set to make his second Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 games. Attending school in the Broken Bay Diocese, Matthew started playing Hockey at the young age of 8 years old. He excelled in the sport competing in the Polding team for Hockey, as well as Cricket in 2004-2006. He was selected into the NSWPSSA State Hockey Team in 2005 and again in 2006 where he was made Captain of the team. After making his Australian debut in 2014, Matthew was named on his first Olympic team less than two years later and was off to Rio 2016. In Rio, the Australian Men’s Hockey team were knocked out of the competition early and finished up in sixth place overall.

Matthew is set to make his second Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 games.

Blake Govers - Men's Hockey

Former St Joseph’s Catholic High School Albion Park student, Blake Govers represented both NSWCPS and NSWCCC in Hockey. After school, Govers spent less than 12 months in the National Development squad before he was called into the Olympic training squad, making his international debut in May 2015 at the Hobart International Challenge, scoring a goal to celebrate. At just 18-years-old, Govers was the youngest member of the Men’s Hockey squad at the Rio games. Blake has one of the best goals-to-games ratios, netting 85 times in 98 matches.

Blake will represent Australia at his second Olympic games in Tokyo as a part of the Men’s Australian Hockey Team.

Emily Chalker - Women's Hockey

Former St Mary’s Primary School Crookwell student, Emily Chalker is set to make her third 

Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 games. Emily started playing hockey as a five-year-old following both her mum and sister who were engaged in the sport. After playing on grass fields in her hometown for 14 years, the forward made her senior debut at the 2011 Oceania Cup in Tasmania against New Zealand. She scored her first international goal and came home with the silver medal. At 19-years-old, she was one of the youngest in the London team squad, making her Olympic debut in 2012. In 2016 she made her second Olympic games appearance in Rio and then in 2018 at the Commonwealth Games went on to claim silver.

Emily will make her third Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 games, once again representing Australia in the Women’s Hockey squad.

Edward Fernon - Men's Individual Modern Pentathlon

Former student at St Philip Neri Catholic Primary School Northbridge, Edward Fernon is making a comeback at the Tokyo 2020 games after last competing at the London 2012 Olympic games. As a city kid, Fernon spent every school holidays on a friend’s farm near Wagga Wagga where he learned to ride horses. In 2009 he won his first national title, with two years later claiming the Oceania title and qualifying for his Olympic debut in London 2012 where he placed 27^th. After having four years in retirement, in August 2019, Fernon made the decision to try to qualify for his second Olympics. He had a 12-week training program prior to the Olympic trials, in which he went on to win the Oceania qualification spot for Tokyo 2020.

Edward Fernon is set to make his second Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 games.

Scott Reardon - Para-Athletics 100m

Scott Reardon will make his third Paralympic appearance at the 2020 Tokyo games. Before Scott was a sprinter, former St Anne’s Temora student was a 12-year-old digging holes on his family farm. Standing on the frame of a post hole digger, Scott’s shoelace was untied, and it caught in the power shaft of the tractor, severing his right leg. Incredibly, Scott relearned how to walk in just a week-and-a-half. Since then Scott has represented Australia at the 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships and winning a silver medal in the Men’s 100m T42 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He achieved his first international gold medal in 2013 at the IPC Athletics World Championships and at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games as the reigning world champion in men’s 100m T42, Scott was the one to beat. That same year, he was nominated for the Paralympics Australia’s Male Paralympian of the Year Award.

Scott is set to make his third Paralympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Games, alongside his wife Paralympian Vanessa Low as they represent Australia together.

Sarah Walsh - Para-Athletics 4x100m T64 & Long Jump T64

Former St John Bosco College Engadine, Sarah was 9 when she first begun to take sport seriously after she was gifted her first running blade. At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Sarah debuted and set an Oceanian record of 4.82m to finish sixth in the women's long jump T44. In 2017, at the World Para-Athletics Championships she moved into fourth place. In November 2019, during the World Championships Dubai, Sarah had a massive 5.20m leap placing her in third on the podium.

Sarah will make her second Paralympic appearance in Tokyo 2020, representing Australia in the 4x100m T64 and Long Jump T64 events.

Gordon Allan - Para-Cycling

Former St Bernadette’s Lalor Park and Patrician Brothers Blacktown student, Gordon Allan is set to make his Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Throughout primary school and early high school, Gordon competed in football, athletics, and swimming. However, in 2011, after discovering Para-Cycling at the Paralympics Australia Talent Search, he fell in love with the sport. With the help of Paralympic cycling champion Peter Brooks, he became determined to become a Paralympian himself. Seven years later and Gordon broke into the Australian Cycling Team at the age of 19. As the youngest member of the squad, Gordon qualified for the 1km Time Trial at the 2018 Para Track World Championships, where he finished fifth.

Gordon is set to make his Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games, representing Australia in the Para-Cycling, Track C2 event.

Timothy Hodge - Para-Swimming

Former St Bernadette’s Lalor Park and Patrician Brothers College Blacktown student, Timothy Hodge is a multiple NSWCCC Multiclass Age Champion winner. As well as this, in 2018 he was the recipient of the major CSNSW Sport Award (Read more about this here: Article).  At just age 14, Tim achieved his selection into his first Australian team, travelling to Glasgow, Scotland for the 2015 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships. Following this, Timothy made his first Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games. In 2018, he won Silver in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB8 and Men’s 100m Backstroke S9.  

Timothy is set to make his second Paralympic games in Tokyo 2020, representing Australia in Swimming the Men’s 100m Butterfly (MC) and Men’s 200m Individual Medley (MC) events.

Paige Leonhardt - Para-Swimming 

Former student at St Joseph's Regional College Port Macquarie, Paige was just five years old when she was involved in a car accident that left her with severe injuries. However, at the age of 12 she found her love of swimming whilst she was going through therapy. Paige started competing through school and through Polding with able-bodied athletes and for the last three years she has been coached by Michael Mullins. Specialising in breaststroke, Paige competed at the Australian Championships in 2014 at the age of 14, competing in the open multi-class 50m breaststroke, which landed her the bronze medal. At the Australian Age Championships that followed, she took home the gold in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Paige then went on to make her Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 games, where she qualifies for the final in the 100m butterfly and the 100m breaststroke, finishing in sixth place in both events. Paige is also family friends with another CSNSW Paralympian, Ryley Batt, and lists him as one of her idols. 

Paige is set to make her second Paralympic appearance in Para-swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic games in the events: 100m Backstroke S10, 100m Breaststroke SB9, 100m Butterfly S10, 100m Freestyle S10, 200m Individual Medley SM10, 4x100 Medley Relay S10 and 50m Freestyle S10. 

Alexander Tuckfield - Para-Swimming 

Former St Joseph’s Como student, Alexander Tuckfield will make his Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Alexander began swimming at the age of 10, after his parents took him to lessons. Alexander is a 16-year-old rising star who at the 2020 Swimming Australia Virtual Championships, he broke the Men’s 200m Freestyle S9 world record. In 2021, he finished second in the Men’s 400m S9 at the Australia Swimming Trials, qualifying for the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Alexander will make his Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games representing Australia in Para-Swimming.

Jack Hargreaves - Men's Rowing Four

After being disappointed of Olympic exclusion five years ago, Jack is set to enter Tokyo following a great four year cycle. Former St Joseph's Nyngan student, the 28-year-old has collected top honours in the 2017 and 2018 World Rowing Championships, becoming the first Australian victory in the boating class in 26 years. In 2019, his crew claimed gold once again at the World Rowing Cups 2 and 3. Under coach Ian Wright, Jack has had ample exposure to the top competitive environment in the nation, as well as the best facilities in the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre, optimising his success in Tokyo. 

Jack is set to make his Olympic games debut at the Tokyo 2020 games in the Men's Rowing Four event. 

Jack O'Brien - Men's Rowing Eight

Former St Joseph's Walgett student, Jack is a part of the highly regarding Australian Men's Eight crew as he enters his first Olympic campaign with unquestionable plans to finish on the podium in Tokyo. Jack began his rowing career in Sydney's Lower North Shore where his height and size made Jack an encouraging young prospect. In 2018, Jack earned his first national team selection alongside Andrew Judge, competing in the U23 World Championships. In 2018, the pair also raced at the World Rowing Cup 3 and the U23 Men's Pair where they finished seventh overall. In 2019, Jack made his top career achievements as a part of the Australian's Men's Four's, earning gold in the World Rowing Cups 2 and 3. 

Jack is set to make his Olympic debut in the Men's Rowing Eight event in Tokyo, representing Australia. 

Rowena Meredith - Women's Rowing Quadruple Scull

Former Stella Maris College Manly student, Rowena Meredith is set to make her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo games. First competing internationally at the 2015 U23 World Championships, Rowena, alongside Georgie Gotch, Leah Saunders and Tessa Carty, took home the silver. In 2017, Rowena won another silver medal at the U23 World Championships. At the 2021 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, Meredith, alongside crewmates Harriet Hudson, Caitlin Cronin and Ria Thompson, ensured the participation of the Women’s Quadruple Scull in Tokyo 2020, with them earning gold.

Rowena will be making her Olympic debut at thee Tokyo 2020 games, representing Australia in the Women’s Rowing Quadruple Scull alongside team mates Harriet Hudson, Caitlin Cronin and Ria Thompson.

Kiri Tontodonati - Rowing Women's Pair (Representing Italy)

Former BBSSSA student, Kiri Tontodonati (Hawke) is set to make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games in Rowing, representing Italy. Born in Australia, Kiri represented BBSSSA during her schooling and was a keen basketball player. After injuring her knee, she was advised to try Rowing and went on to win several national titles at the junior level in Australia. After becoming an Italian citizen thanks to her marriage, she will now compete for the Italy side in women’s pair rowing. Twice bronze medal winner at the European Rowing Championships in the senior division and a silver medal in Poznan 2020, Kiri is one to watch.

Kiri will make her Olympic debut for the Italy team in the women’s pair Rowing event at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Lachlan Anderson - Men's Rugby Sevens

Former student of St Angela’s Castle Hill, Lachlan started playing Rugby at just 4-years-old, after his father entered him into the sport. In 2017, he made his Australian Rugby Sevens debut in his hometown of Sydney. A year later, Lachlan was selected to be on the 2018 Commonwealth Games squad, where the Aussies finished fifth. During the 2020 World Rugby Sevens Series, Lachlan scored a try in the final against New Zealand, with the Australian side claiming the silver medal.

Lachlan will make his Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games 2020, representing Australia in the Rugby Sevens squad.

Dietrich Roache - Men's Rugby Sevens

Men’s Rugby Sevens player, Dietrich Roache is set to make his Olympic Debut representing Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.  Former Patrician Brothers’ Fairfield student, Dietrich played rugby league and made the switch to union and sevens at age 15. He has been a member of the Sydney U18s team, as well as the NSW Junior U18s team and in the NSW Rugby ‘Gen Blue’ Program. In 2019, Dietrich was selected to the Australian Sevens team that would compete at the World School Sevens Tournament in New Zealand. In 2020, he signed onto the Australian Men’s Sevens team that played in the 2021 Oceania Sevens Championships, finishing third overall.

The 20-year-old is set to make his Olympic debut as a part of the Men’s Rugby Sevens team in Tokyo at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

Madison Ashby - Women's Rugby Sevens

Madison Ashby started her love of sport at the age of 7, with this former McCarthy Catholic College Emu Plains (now known as Penola Catholic College Emu Plains) student, representing both NSWCCC and NSW All Schools in Touch Football. In 2018, Madison played with the Cronulla Sharks in the U18s Tarsha Gale Cup competition, winning her player of the year. After training with the Australian Rugby Sevens team for a year, Madison made her debut in the opening round of the 2019 World Series in Colorado. More recently, Madison was a member of the 13-woman Australian team at Oceania Sevens held in Townsville.

Madison is set to make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo games.

Emma Tonegato - Women's Rugby Sevens 

Emma Tonegato, former student at Holy Spirit College Bellambi, grew up playing touch football in school. As a student, she represented both NSWCCC and NSW All Schools in Touch Football, and in 2013 received a Blues Award.  After transferring from touch football to rugby league, she then found a home in the sevens for the 2013-2014 World Series where she made her debut. In 2016, Emma was a part of the Australia team at the World Sevens Series where the Aussies beat the Kiwis to gold and she was named player of the tournament. In 2017, as a part of the Australia Day Honours, Emma received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to sport as a gold medalist at the Rio Olympics.

The 26-year-old will compete at her second Olympics at the Tokyo 2020 games as part of the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens Team. 

Kieran Woolley - Men's Park Skateboarding

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong student, Kieran Woolley will make his Olympic debut at just 17 Years of age. Kieran began skateboarding when he was 10 years old, three years later whilst attending Corpus Christi College, Oak Flats he was nationally ranked after competing in the U16’s division and going on to win King on Concrete St Kilda, King on Concrete Newcastle, and the Skate Park League NSW Finals. His impressive rise in skateboarding at such a young age saw the Wollongong native named as Illawarra’s 2018 Athlete of the year.

As one of the youngest Olympians on the Australian Team, 17-year-old Kieran will make his Olympic debut at the Tokyo games, representing Australia in the Men’s Park Skateboarding.

Taylah Tsitsikronis - Women's Softball

Taylah began playing softball at the age of six at the Penrith Softball Club after her parents wanted her to put her energy into sport. During her time in school, attending Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park, Taylah represented NSWCCC and NSW All Schools in softball, as well as being a recipient of a Blues Award in 2011. In 2015, she turned to professional softball, playing in catcher and first-base positions with the Australian Softball Team and the NSW Firestarters. For the first time since Beijing, Australia gained a spot in the Olympic field after qualifying through the Softball Asia/ Oceania Qualifiers in 2019.

Taylah is set to make her Olympic debut in the Australian Women’s Softball Team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

Owen Wright - Surfing

Former St John's Nowra student, Owen grew up surfing the beach/point breaks around Culburra on the NSW south coast. In 2010, Owen arrived on the World Surf League World Championship Tour (WCT), winning 'Rookie of the Year' finishing in seventh place. In 2011, he made three consecutive finals up against world champion Kelly Slater. In 2015, after scoring two perfect-10 rides from the WCT  judges to win the Fiji Pro, Owen suffered a serious brain injury and minor bleed during a training session, two days before the final event of the year. He sat the entire 2016 season out as he learned to surf again. Returning in 2017 at Queensland's Gold Coast Snapper Rocks, Owen won his event. 

After a massive comeback, Owen is set to make his Olympic debut in the first ever Olympic Surfing event in Tokyo 2020, representing Australia. 

Se-Bom Lee - Swimming

Se-Bom attended St Martha’s Catholic Primary School, Strathfield and is a former student of the Sydney Catholic Schools Diocese. He is set to make his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo games after registering a personal best time of 4:14.16 in the 2021 Australian Olympic trials for the 400m individual medley, securing his spot on the team.

Se-Bom is set to make his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, representing Australia in Swimming.

Ellen Perez - Women's Tennis Doubles

Former Stella Maris Catholic Primary School, Shellharbour and Corpus Christi High School Oak Flats student, Ellen Perez is set to make her Olympic debut in the women’s doubles alongside Sam Stosur at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 25-year-old first started playing tennis at 7 years old, coming through the CSNSW Sporting pathway for Tennis at both NSWCPS and NSWCCC levels, and later training at the Tennis Australia Academy at Melbourne Park. As a junior, Ellen qualified for the Australian and French Opens, as well as Wimbledon. In 2019, Perez achieved a career-best grand slam result at the US open, playing alongside USA’s Danielle Collins, however the pair were defeated by Kuzmova and Sasnivich.

Ellen will make her Olympic debut in the Women’s Tennis Doubles in Tokyo.

Richard Campbell - Men's Water Polo

Former primary school student of St Joseph’s Merewether, and high school student of St Pius X Adamstown, Richard Campbell is a triple Olympian and a key member of the Aussie Sharks. Richie excelled in swimming through our CSNSW Sporting pathway, going on to later pursue Water Polo. In 2015, he made his international debut at the 2005 Junior World Cup, where the Australian team finished in seventh place. He went on to make his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing as the youngest member of the Men’s Water Polo team, where the Aussie side placed eighth. His second Olympic appearance in London 2012 saw Richie score 8 goals for Australia, placing the team in seventh place. Four years later in Rio, Richie scored another 8 goals for Australia with the team finishing ninth overall.

The 33-year-old will make his fourth Olympic appearance in the Australian Men’s Water Polo team in Tokyo 2020.

Aidan Roach - Men's Water Polo

2-Time Olympian, Aiden Roach is set to make his third Olympic appearance in Tokyo. Former primary school student at St Charles’, Ryde from the Diocese of Sydney Catholic Schools, Aiden came through the CSNSW Sporting pathway for Rugby Union and Rugby League.  He said, “I played Rugby League for five years and also Rugby Union at school as well, but I wasn’t that good… Basically I was not good on land”. In the water however it was a different story for Aiden, “I started to get serious about Water Polo when I was 15 and just took to it,” Roach said. After school, Aiden made his Olympic debut at the 2012 London Olympic Games, assisting the Australian team to a seventh-place finish. In 2016, he competed in his second Olympic games in Rio in which the team placed ninth.

The dual-Olympian will make his third Olympic appearance in Tokyo 2020, as a member of the Australian Men’s Water Polo squad.

Bronte Halligan - Women's Water Polo

Former Stella Maris College, Manly graduate (Class of 2014), Bronte Halligan, excelled in Water Polo during her time at school in the Diocese of Broken Bay. After graduating, Bronte left Sydney to further her Water Polo and studies at UCLA, where she had great seasons with the Bruins in 2017 (25 goals), 2018 (31 goals) and 2019 (34 goals). Bronte made her Stingers debut in 2014 as a 17-year old and will finish her Olympic debut at the Tokyo competition a few days shy of her 25^th Birthday.

Bronte is set to make her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, representing Australia in the Women’s Water Polo team.

Bill Latham - Wheelchair Basketball

Bill is a former student at John Paul College Coffs Harbour, and became an amputee when he was run over by a tractor on his family's property near Coffs Harbour. Suffering a fractured skull and damage to both his legs, he spent four months in an intensive care ward in Sydney. Eight years later he made the decision to have his left leg amputated. A natural athlete, Bill was exstatic to qualify for London 2012, contributing 27 sizeable points where the team enjoyed an unbeaten run to the final to finish second behind Canada. At his second Paralympic games in Rio 2016, Bill and the team were eliminated from the gold medal contention in a 23 point loss to Great Britain in the quarter finals. 

Bill will make his third Paralympic debut as a part of the Australian Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. 

Ryley Batt - Wheelchair Rugby Union

Former MacKillop College Port Macquarie student, Ryley is one of the greatest wheelchair rugby players the world has ever seen. For 12 years, Ryley avoided using a wheelchair, opting for a skateboard to get around on instead.  If it were not for a timely visit by two-time Paralympian Brad Dubberley to Ryley's school, he may have never got into the sport. Just three years after meeting Brad, Ryley made his Paralympic debut as the youngest ever wheelchair rugby player to compete at the Paralympic Games. Four years later, at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, he reached the podium for the first time and in 2012 won his first Paralympic gold medal, scoring 37 of the Steelers' 66 goals against the Canadian team. 

As co-captain of the entire Australian Paralympic Team, Ryley is set to make his 4th Paralympic appearance in the Australian men's rugby union squad. 

 

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