Whether it be on the international stage or at home in one of our eight states and territories, Australia has a reputation for sport, and for doing it well.
From the quality of play to the spectator’s experience, a love of sport is ingrained in Australian culture and is a way of life.
There are many young Australians coming through to help uphold that reputation, whether they be turning it on in the domestic comps, or doing us proud in a foreign land, here are six of the most promising up-and-coming sports stars to carry on Australia’s proud sporting heritage:
Bernard Tomic
By the time he hangs up the racket, whether Bernard Tomic has won no slams or 10 is entirely up to him. His latest victory over Novak Djokovic proves it.
While he has previously suffered from a true blue inconsistency, Tomic must sacrifice the partygoer lifestyle that has previously gotten him in trouble.
You see nothing of the sort in the lifestyle of such international tennis successes as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, all multiple slam winners, all world number 1s.
If Bernard Tomic wants to have any sort of chance at that kind of success, and become the next Australian no. 1, he’ll have to address his narcissism. If he can do that, he can beat just about any other player in the world.
Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch is finally being rewarded with his first ODI match against Sri Lanka at the MCG on Saturday. And it’s about bloody time.
Many could argue Finch has been the MVP of Big Bash League II, posting the highest total of 111 and the second-most runs of the comp with 309, only 19 behind Shaun Marsh. He is also the only player this year to miss out on a six after he hit the roof of Etihad Stadium. Is that a good thing? Well no, but still impressive.
He averages the third most runs in the league, only 12 behind the leader of the comp. All this has resulted in a grand total of ODI appearances as of today, and if the Melbourne Renegades’ captain is sure to have plenty of runs in store for the Sri Lankans on his debut.
Trent Cotchin
Many of those old Tiger faithfuls believe we are seeing the second coming of Jack Dyer. Many believe this man is already the best player in the AFL, and was robbed of this year’s Brownlow. And the Tigers believe he is the best leader on the squad, handing him the famous no. 17 captain’s jersey for 2013.
So what exactly could this kid turn out to be five years down the track? It’s the stuff of nightmares to think – for the rest of the comp.
Cotchin no doubt has the ability to become one of those once-in-a-generation type players – types such as Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Dane Swan, etc. The question is, can he return the Tigers to a relevancy not seen in a long time?
Christian Lealiifano
Take your pick of just about any current Brumbies player, but before he went down with an injury, Christian Lealiifano was already in the fitting room trying on his Wallabies no. 10 jersey.
Let’s hope he can regain that kind of form this Super Rugby season, as I’m sure (Robbie Deans?) will be hoping to blood a few new cubs against the British and Irish Lions this season – and Lealiifano could be one of them.
This kind of exposure at international level will be a massive challenge for any young budding Wallabies fringe player looking to break through, but this can be just the kind of thing Lealiifano needs to make up for lost time. We’ve already seen his clutch ability, kicking the winning goal against the Cheetahs in Canberra.
Can Lealiifano regain that Wallabies form this year and break through for his first cap, starting of a limitless Wallabies career? Here’s hoping.
Ben Barba
This past year, the NRL recognized Ben Barba as the Dally M player of the year – at age 23. If you’re not excited by this kid, you don’t like rugby league.
Despite this article being titled ‘future stars’, this guy is a star now. Over his career, which could still have a good 15 years left, Barba will provide headaches for opposing nations, NSW Blues fans, and the entire competition.
So far, he has scored 61 tries in 77 appearances and twice finished as the competition’s top try-scorer, with years of 23 and 21 tries.
I can think of nothing else but for Barba to shine on the international and origin stage, win premiership(s) with the Bulldogs, win more Dally M fullback and player of the years and set more try-scoring records. When you do it that young, you usually do it for the rest of your career.
Emily Seebohm
Whatever you think those Olympic tears represent – a sweet little darling who is in love with her country or a poor display of arrogance, Emily Seebohm is the future of the Australian swimming program.
The 2016 Rio Olympics will be very daunting for the entire Australian team, but most daunting for the questionably performing swimming team.
I’m not one to criticise our performance in the pool at London, but there’s no doubt there will be a lot of hype surrounding our follow-up performance in Rio, and the team will need to be headed by a strong-minded, tough-skinned competitor, and hopefully Emily can step up and become that transcendent person, because by that time she could be the best swimmer in the squad.
We’ve already seen the young superstar potential of the best of the rest of the globe – and at that, it’d be an understatement to say we have a hell of a job on our hands. Can Seebohm produce, both in and of of the pool, what is needed of her? Time will tell.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
Food for thought indeed :) That said, just because a Nation doesn't have a professional League as such, IMO doesn't change a thing. The [FACT] that there is representation in some form or another - be it professional league set-up, National team, or be it the main game the kids play everyday in parks or streets etc,etc, should be enough. It doesn't really matter does it, really?
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
Regarding the Rugby World Cup, first off it is 20 teams who play/qualify for the World Cup. Like in football there are WCQs. A very different set up as to how the qualifiers are done, but there are some qualifiers none the less. The Rugby World Cup works out that about 18-ish % partake in the RWC, compared that to FIFA's World Cup, which has about 15-ish % of the teams competing - So not too much difference. As I said in the above post, I don't know all that much abut cricket as it isn't a sport that I follow, so I can't comment on the numbers etc, etc as I don't know them. Note: I am not trying to compare Rugby with Football, nor trying to make claims that it is anywhere near the size/popularity as football as it is clearly isn't. That said, I do feel/think it is represented in enough countries for it to be classed/considered as a global sport (don't ask me what number one sport needs for it to be classed as global, as I don't know. I am just stating what my thoughts/opinion is).
Bondy
Guest
Just on the global aspect to sports football is played technically by 209 nations, South Sudan only recently "we know why" to take it to 209,but their are only 73 or 75 countires with professional leagues ,so in relation to fifa they dont have leagues in even half of the world professionaly. Food for thought.
Bondy
Guest
I respect your right of comment but why are their only 16 nations at the rugby world cup you've suggested more than ninety play. Cricket is primarily a commonwealth based sport apart form now the Rep of Sth Afr the sport consist mainly of Sri Lanka, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand,Bangladesh and England,i've probably missed one . I was only thinking of such things recently, why is cricket called a world sport in Australia where its quite clearly a commonwealth sport?, with no commonwealth games connection either.
Fred
Guest
Soccer, I believe, is the first of many sports to go truly global. We see sports such as basketball and rugby being played all over the world in more and more countries every year. Each year we see a larger number of nationalities representing in a high standard in golf and tennis. While sports such as league, football and gridiron have little (but still measurable) international presence they are growing outside their traditional boundaries and their premier competitions (NRL, NCAA Football, NFL, AFL) are all incredible to watch and full of incredible athletes. However it is not the global presence of a sport, a league or a player that should dictate whether you watch it. Parents on here would gain as much satisfaction watching their daughter win at archery as they would seeing the football team they followed their whole llives win the Superbowl/Grand Final/Championship. For all we know the current best sportsmen in the world could be playing marbles. If one cannot enjoy the talent of the upcoming sportsmen listed on here then clearly you are not an open-minded individual and deserve to be tagged as insular. Most Roarers are lovers of all sports though ...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Fair enough if you class Rugby, League, cricket, netball as global sports. I don't. Of course, some AFL people say AFL is also a global sport. My rule of thumb ... if you have to go searching for evidence on the internet to prove to others that a sport is global, then ... ... chances are the sport ain't global.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
So you don't class Rugby (Union, not League), nor Cricket as a global sports? Rugby has just over 100 countries the Federation. Here is some information from the International Rugby Board (IRB) website (http://www.irb.com/) regarding the amount of countries that play Rugby; 'Rugby is played by men and women, boys and girls, in more than 100 countries across,five continents. The IRB membership currently totals 97 Unions in full membership, 20 Associate Members and six Regional Associations.' Here is a link to the World Rankings for Rugby - http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html ----- As for cricket, I personally don't know much regarding how many countries play cricket worldwide, but I do believe it is more then just counties who were once part of the British Empire. I'm sure someone may know the numbers of countries who play some form of cricket (if not all three forms). ----- I personal class both as proper International sports, I would go as far and say the Rugby is a global sport - But this is just my personally opinion.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
thats a bit rude to poor myles who wrote the article. the title of the article is also 'six future stars of australian sport'
Kylesy SFC Till I Die
Guest
This, summed it up perfectly Fuss. Pretty crazy that an AFL player is mentioned but no footballer. No Rogic, Mooy, Rhys Williams, Matty Ryan, Amini, Oar or James Holland just goes to show that the author is not qualified to make this list. Lets see........ a swimmer, a tennis player, the three eggball codes and cricket are mentioned.... which sport does that leave out? Could it be Badminton, Curling, Surfing, Sailing, Archery or LaCrosse? I wonder... Pretty poor showing tbh.
Bondy
Guest
Rogic's name figures prominately here but not with the arficle writer,he stands a very strong chance of being on the national team squad or starting eleven for the fifa world cup in/for Brasil. I've heared of the swimmer Seebohm and Tomitch, i've not heared of the rest but good luck to them,their stars in somebodys eyes. Strange not to include a football player ,Australias favourite sport to play and the authors completely left it alone such a shame .
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
For me, to be "a star" means you've got to be good at something of significance and being the best, within a shallow competitive field, doesn't make someone "a star". But, I guess, we live in an era where every kid is told "you're a star" for simply getting out of bed in the morning so, you're right, maybe those 4 others are "stars" on this island of 22 million people, in a world of 7 billion.
Matt F
Roar Guru
It's a decent list. I'm not a big enough Rugby fan to judge Lealiifano and I would have thrown in Rogic to represent all the football codes. Te only two that I'd question are Finch and Barba Finch isn't a future star. He's 26 so should be a star now, but really probably isn't. He could be a very good player for the national side in the two shorter formats but star might be taking it a bit far. When it comes to cricket in Australia star status is generally reserved for the test team and Finch is a long way from that. I would also argue that Ben Barba isn't a future star but a present one. That's more of a technicality though.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
but we live in australia...
ANON69
Guest
Alas Aaron Finch not in the team any more. Lol
Lucan
Langerak is the a great 'keeper, and a great guy. But I think the time has come to stop talking him up as the heir apparent to Schwarzer while he's warming the pine. While his peers are playing first team football and Mitch is not, his stocks are going backwards. BVB may be his future, but get a loan deal in the present, dammit!
Ray
Guest
Jai Opetaia, 17 year old Olympic Boxer, junior world amateur champion
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I know of Seebohm & Tomic, but hadn't ever heard of the others! After reading about the others, it hit me ... ... Seebohm & Tomic participate in global sports; the others do not.
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
Yeah I don't think so. I remember he played almost the full match in their cup final over Bayern last season, but I don't know why he stays if he doesn't get any game time.
Lucan
Is Langerak getting many minutes this season? If not, he needs to look for a loan and some first team football.
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
Talking of football we got Tommy Oar playing well in Holland, Robbie Kruse and Mitch Langerack in Germany, and in the A-league's Aaron Mooy and even Matthew Ryan could all be stars for the Soceroos one day.