Sport
2 December, 2022
Siblings rep region
SIBLINGS Cooper and Sienna O’Brien are making their names known in the peninsula world after being selected to represent the region in golf and cricket.
12-year-old Cooper has been selected as a reserve for the 13-18 years boys in the Queensland School’s State Titles for golf whilst his sister, 10-year-old Sienna will be representing the region in the 10-12 girls’ competition in May next year.
Both golfers play through the Atherton Golf Club, training as many afternoons of the week as possible to prepare for the big event.
Sienna is currently coming back from a broken arm, but is putting in her all to prepare for the big event.
This is her second year in a row being picked for this competition and despite a six month hiatus in recovery, she is ready to rumble and show “the boys” who’s boss.
“I am making sure that when I am playing sports, I am wearing a guard and making sure I am not pushing it when my arm starts to hurt,” she said.
“It feels really good to represent our region and I am very very excited.
“My goal is to be better than the other team and to beat the boys.”
Cooper will also be representing the region in cricket in the coming weeks after being selected for a Cricket Far North representative team.
Playing and training with Atherton Cricket Club, Cooper knows the game like the back of his hand and is keen to play with some of the best cricketers in his age group in Mackay.
“I am training three times a week, hitting balls in the nets, bowling lots and eating well to get ready for the game,” he said.
“I am really excited, and I am just going to give it my all and try my ab-solute hardest.
“My goal (in both cricket and golf) is to smash a few personal and state records.”
Father Doug O’Brien is beyond proud to see his children smash their goals and experience what representative sport is all about.
“I am very proud of them and what they do,” he said.
“We are so grateful for all the people who come into (the family business) Mareeba News and donate to our 100 boards when we go away and for the people who have given them encouragement and their old golf balls.
“The kids couldn’t have done it without the support of the community.”
