• Fairholme Sport

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Why is Fairholme top of Toowoomba for sport? The results speak for themselves.


Fairholme College has a proud sporting history, with Olympians such as Tatum Stewart, Dom Du Toit, Emilee Cherry, Cathy Freeman and Dannielle Leisch having developed their skills whilst attending the College.


From the basketball court to the football field, from the swimming pool to the track, Fairholme girls display an unwavering commitment to sportsmanship and dedication to sport. In doing so, our girls have not only achieved remarkable athletic milestones, but have also proven themselves as exceptional individuals who embody resilience, passion and determination.

Fairholme Sporting Success


This year, we had more than 135 Fairholme teams in local competitions and more than 475 girls involved in individual sporting activities. 115 Fairholme students were selected in Darling Downs Representative School Sport teams and 26 girls progressed further to represent Queensland.

AFL

2024 & 2023 Darling Downs StreetSmart AFL Schools Cup Senior Champions.

Basketball

2024 Armstrong Automotive Group Cup Senior Champions.

Cross Country

2025, 2024, 2023 & 2022 Overall Champion Girls’ School, Darling Downs Cross Country Championships. 21 Fairholme athletes selected to represent Darling Downs region at the Queensland State Championships.


2025 Queensland All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships Runner-Up Secondary Girls Champion School, Gold 13 Years and Bronze 16 Years.


2025 Queensland All Schools Cross Country Secondary Girls 3rd Place School.

Equestrian

2025 Equestrian Qld Interschool Overall Champion Secondary School 'Lorette Wigan Cup' winner for the fifth consecutive year.


Grand Champion School, 2025 Darling Downs and South West Queensland Regional Championships.


Netball

2025 Darling Downs Regional Champions of the Senior Vicki Wilson Championship Cup and Regional Runners-Up in the Junior Vicki Wilson Championship Shield.


2025 Vicki Wilson State Championships - Junior 4th in Queensland and Senior 6th in Queensland


2025 Andrews Cup Primary Schools A Division Champions.

Orienteering

2024 Queensland Schools Orienteering 2nd Place School. Champion School in 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Rugby Sevens

2024 South West Sevens Competition - Under Runner-Ups, U15 Runner-Ups and U18 3rd Place.


2025 Fraser Coast Invitational Rugby Sevens U18s and U16s Champions.

Swimming

18 Fairholme Swimmers selected to represent the Darling Downs Region at the 2025 Queensland State Championships.


2025 Andrews Cup Primary Schools Percentage Cup Runners-Up.

Tennis

2025 Queensland Secondary School Tennis Tournament Darling Downs Champions Year 7-9 and Year 10-12.

Touch Football

U13 and Open Champions at the 2025 South West Queensland All Schools Touch Tournament. U15 Runners-Up.


Top 8 at the 2024 Gold Coast Titans Queensland All Schools Touch Carnival.


Track & Field

2024 Queensland All Schools Athletics Championships highest ranked Toowoomba school.


2025 Andrews Cup Primary Schools Percentage Cup Runners-Up.

Fairholme High-Performance Sport Program


The Fairholme College High-Performance Sport Program is an innovative initiative aimed at supporting student athletes in achieving their sporting and academic goals. 


Casey Reynoldson, Fairholme's Co-ordinator of High Performance Coaching, brings a wealth of experience in elite sports to the program, having studied Exercise Science, a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, and completed a Masters of Secondary Teacher.


The program is designed to help our athletes enhance their athletic performance while providing them with the tools needed to balance the challenges of sport and academics.


Athletes in the High-Performance Sport Program receive:

  • tailored strength and conditioning plans
  • load management strategies
  • recovery programs
  • fitness testing
  • academic support


High Performance Program

Sporting Pathways


Sport is an integral part of life at Fairholme with the emphasis being on enjoyment, participation and sport etiquette.


We are passionate about promoting physical activity for all of our girls and provide many opportunities for participation at all skill levels. Students who excel in their competitive sports are encouraged to pursue their talent at Inter house, Regional, State, National and International levels.


Sporting involvement and competition is in four areas:

  • Interhouse

    Fairholme Interhouse carnivals are held in the following sports:

    • Swimming
    • Cross Country
    • Athletics
    • Gymnastics (Junior School)

  • Interschool

    Fairholme takes part in a variety of local, regional and state Interschool Sport competitions, including:

    • Toowoomba Secondary Sports Schools (TSSS) – TSSS is a combination of 20 schools in the Darling Downs for secondary students Years 7-12.
    • Queensland Girl’s Primary Independent Schools Andrews Cup – Ten member schools from Toowoomba, Brisbane and Gold Coast compete across a range of sports. Years 2-6.
    • Equestrian Queensland – Interschool Competitions
    • South West Swans and Qld All Schools Touch Football
    • Knowles Cup Tennis
    • Golden Gloves Softball
    • South West Sevens and Qld All Schools Rugby 7s
    • Vicki Wilson Netball
    • StreetSmart Schools Cup AFL and Cricket
    • Darling Downs Schools Cup Hockey

  • Club (Association)

    Fairholme teams participate in a wide range of Association (Club) competitions, including:

    • Fairholme Athletics Club
    • Fairholme Aquatics Swim Club (FAST)
    • Toowoomba Touch Association
    • Toowoomba Basketball Association
    • Toowoomba Netball Association
    • Downs Rugby
    • Toowoomba Volleyball Association
    • Toowoomba Water Polo Association
    • Toowoomba Futsal Association

  • Representation through School Sport

    The Representative School Sport program provides students the opportunity to represent the Darling Downs Region and progress to Queensland team selection in more than 20 sports.

    • AFL
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Cross Country
    • Futsal
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Netball
    • Orienteering
    • Rugby 7s
    • Rugby League
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Touch Football
    • Triathlon
    • Volleyball
    • Water Polo

Specialist Sporting Programs

Fairholme Equestrian


Fairholme has a proud history in Equestrian, always competing strongly in the Darling Downs Regional Championships where many riders have qualified to go on to represent Fairholme at both State and National levels.


Equestrian is available as a sport for both Boarders and Day Girls in the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. 


Girls do not have to be riding at competition level to choose Equestrian as their sport as the coaching covers all levels of ability and experience; all the girls need is their horse. 


For Boarders there is agistment available, as well as transport to and from their horse.


Learn More

Fairholme Aquatics


Located within the grounds of Fairholme College, Fairholme Aquatic Centre is home to two heated indoor pools: a 25m eight-lane pool, and a 10m three-lane instruction pool.


Our aquatic programs offer an excellent standard of training from infants through to Masters, both for Fairholme College students and the wider community.


FAST Aquatic Centre

Fairholme Athletics Club


Fairholme Athletics members are enabled to compete in Track & Field and Cross Country at an elite level through the Queensland Athletics affiliated Fairholme Athletics Club.


Our athletes are trained by qualified coaches, some of which are recognised within the state and nation as leaders in their field.


Countless athletes from Fairholme have achieved national ranking in their chosen discipline.


Join Fairholme Athletics

Speed, Power and Strength


Our highly successful Speed, Power and Strength program has been in place at Fairholme now for over seven years. 


Programs are offered to all Fairholme girls and are designed for the specific needs of various sports, with a focus on helping athletes gain a competitive edge.


General conditioning and core strength sessions are also available to students. Eight morning sessions are available Monday – Thursday, 6.15am - 7am and 7.15am - 8am.


Co-Curriculum Sport


A wide variety of sporting activities are offered in both competitive and non-competitive environments.

  • AFL

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Darling Downs AFL Schools Cup
    • Fairholme Junior Interschool AFL (Years 5 & 6)

    Representative Pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Athletics

    Enabled to compete at elite level through the Fairholme Athletics Club, our track and field athletes are trained by qualified coaches, some of which are recognised within the state and nation as leaders in their field. 


    Opportunities include:


    Interhouse

    • Fairholme Junior Interhouse Athletics Carnival (Kindy-Year 6) 
    • Fairholme Middle and Senior Interhouse Athletics Carnival

    Interschool

    • Andrews Cup Primary Athletics (Years 2-6) 

    Club

    • Fairholme Athletics Club - Queensland Athletics affiliated club
    • Queensland All Schools Athletics Championships

    Representative Pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport 
    • Queensland Athletics 

  • Basketball

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Toowoomba Primary School Competition 
    • Armstrong Automotive Group Cup Basketball 
    • CBSQ Basketball 
    • Andrews Cup Primary Basketball (Years 4-6)
    • Primary Interschool Basketball (Years 5 & 6)

    Club (Association)

    • Association Basketball

    Representative Pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Cricket

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • StreetSmarts Secondary Schools T20 Challenge
    • Andrews Cup Primary Cricket (Years 4-6) 
    • Primary Interschool Cricket (Years 5 & 6)

    Representative Pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Cross Country

    Opportunities include:


    Interhouse

    • Fairholme Interhouse Cross Country Carnival (Years 3-12)
    • Fairholme Kindy-Year 2 Cross Country

    Interschool

    • St Aidan’s College Invitational Cross Country 
    • St Hilda’s Invitational Cross Country
    • Andrews Cup Primary Cross Country (Years 2-6)

    Club (Association)

    • Fairholme Athletics Club
    • Queensland Athletics All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships
    • Queensland Athletics All Schools Individual Cross Country Championships
    • Queensland Athletics State Cross Country Championships

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport
    • Queensland Athletics

  • Equestrian

    In 2023, Fairholme was awarded Equestrian Queensland School of the Year.


    For the fourth consecutive year, the Fairholme Equestrian team was also awarded the esteemed Lorette Wigan Cup in 2024 – presented to the secondary school that accumulates the highest number of points throughout the State Championships. 


    Ten Fairholme riders were selected in the Queensland Team across all disciplines, to compete at the Australian National Interschool Championships.


    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Interschool Queensland Competitions
    • Darling Downs and South West Queensland Regional Championships – Term 2

    Representative pathways

    • Equestrian Queensland

  • Football

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Primary Interschool Football (Years 5 & 6)
    • Andrews Cup Primary Football (Years 4-6)

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Futsal

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Interschool Futsal – Terms 1 & 4 
    • South West Queensland Futsal Gala Day – Term 1

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Gymnastics

    Opportunities include:


    Interhouse

    Fairholme Junior Interhouse Gymnastics (Prep-Year 6)


    Interschool

    Andrews Cup Primary Gymnastics (Years 2-6) 

  • Hockey

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Darling Downs Schools Cup Gala Day – Term 2
    • Fairholme Junior Interschool Hockey (Years 5 & 6) - Term 3

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Netball

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Laura Geitz Shield (Years 7-9)
    • Darling Downs Vicki Wilson Cup and Shield (Years 7-12)
    • State Finals Vicki Wilson Netball Cup and Shield (Years 7-12)
    • Andrews Cup Primary Netball (Years 4-6)
    • Primary Interschool Netball (Years 5 & 6)
    • Darling Downs Primary Schools Netball Gala Day

    Club (Association)

    • Association Netball

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Orienteering

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Queensland Schools Orienteering Championships

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Rugby 7s

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • South East Queensland Super Rugby 7s Series
    • South West Queensland Rugby 7s Competition
    • Darling Downs Independent Schools Rugby 7s

  • Softball

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Darling Downs Golden Gloves Championship
    • Fairholme Junior Interschool Softball (Years 5 & 6)

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Strength & Conditioning

    Our highly successful Speed, Power and Strength program has been in place at Fairholme now for over seven years. 


    Programs are offered to all Fairholme girls and are designed for the specific needs of various sports, with a focus on helping athletes gain a competitive edge and injury prevention. 


    General conditioning and core strength sessions are also available to students. Eight morning sessions are available Monday – Thursday, 6.15am - 7am and 7.15am - 8.pm.


  • Swimming

    Opportunities include:


    Interhouse

    • Fairholme Middle and Senior Interhouse Swimming Carnival
    • Fairholme Years 3-6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival
    • Fairholme Prep-Year 2 Swimming Carnival

    Interschool

    • Andrews Cup Primary Swimming (Years 2-6)

    Club (Association)

    • Fairholme Aquatics Swim Club, also known as FAST (Fairholme Aquatics Swim Team)
    • Fairholme Aquatics Swim School - learn to swim and squad training

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport
    • Swimming Queensland

  • Tennis

    Opportunities include:


    Coaching

    Tennis coaching is available at Fairholme for all ages and ability levels.


    Interschool

    • Primary Interschool Tennis (Years 5&6)
    • Andrews Cup Primary Tennis (Years 4-6)
    • Qld Secondary Schools Team Tennis Darling Downs
    • State Finals Queensland Secondary Schools Team Tennis
    • Knowles Cup Tournament

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Touch Football

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Swans SWQ All Schools Touch Carnival
    • Swans Schools Cup
    • All Hallows’ Touch Carnival
    • Queensland All Schools Touch Tournament
    • Primary Interschool Touch (Years 5 & 6)
    • Andrews Cup Primary Touch Football (Years 4-6)

    Club (Association)

    • Association Touch Football (Toowoomba Touch Winter Season)
    • Social Touch (Toowoomba Touch Junior Season)

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Triathlon

    Opportunities include:


    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport (Triathlon 13-19 Years, Aquathlon 11-12 Years)

  • Volleyball

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Darling Downs Schools Cup (Years 9-10)
    • Darling Downs Schools Cup (Years 11-12)
    • Darling Downs Schools Cup (Years 7-8)
    • Fairholme Junior Interschool Volleyball (Years 5 & 6)

    Club (Association)

    • Association Volleyball 

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

  • Water Polo

    Opportunities include:


    Interschool

    • Annual Stumkat Shield

    Club (Association)

    • Association Water Polo

    Representative pathways

    • Darling Downs School Sport

Fairholme Sports News



Ella's Holme Run

By Sarah Richardson • August 29, 2025
Year 8 student Ella Phillips has returned holme after an unforgettable tour of the United States, where she proudly represented Australia in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series as part of the Aussie Drop Bears team. Ella’s journey began in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she participated in a high-level training camp with local college softball coaches. The team also competed in warm-up matches to prepare for the main event in Florence, Alabama. Competing in the Under 14 division, Ella and her Australian team made it all the way to the double elimination final, narrowly missing out on the championship title by just one run in a nail-biting 8 - 9 loss. Despite the result, their second-place finish is a highlight achievement for Ella. Ella’s individual performance was nothing short of outstanding. During the closing ceremony, she was named in the Under 14 All World Series Team and the Under 14 All Defensive Team, a testament to her talent and consistency on the field. She also ranked in the top 10 for both batting and fielding statistics across the entire tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Ella shared that her softball career began humbly at home in Taroom encouraged by her mum and PE teachers to trial for the South West state team. That experience sparked a passion for the sport and she now plays for Dodgers Softball Club in Toowoomba. ‘I’ve been really lucky with the support I’ve had,’ Ella said. ‘The stats don’t say everything, but they’re the best I’ve ever had. I’m really proud of how I played in America.’ Boarding since Year 7, Ella has ambitions to study veterinary science but also has her sights set on a softball career. With aspirations to play in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Ella is already planning her next steps, including a trip to Japan in 2026 to further develop her skills.

Performance in Every Arena

By Sarah Richardson • August 29, 2025
Preparing the next generation of athletes for success both on and off the field. Fairholme is proud to be part of an exciting new partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), through their 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project. This forward-thinking initiative aims to educate and support student athletes across all areas of sport, health, and performance. As part of this project, our High Performance Sport athletes and Sport Physiology students are taking part in ‘Girls 2 Win’, a specialised program dedicated to the education and empowerment of young female athletes. Led by UniSQ experts in female health and performance, Girls 2 Win focuses on the unique aspects of female physiology and how these can influence wellbeing and sporting success. Students are gaining vital knowledge about the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and the ways in which physiology can impact athletic performance. Fairholme’s Head of High Performance, Miss Casey Reynoldson, said the benefits of the program reach far beyond the sporting field. ‘By equipping our Middle and Senior School athletes with tailored strategies and practical tools, the program ensures they are empowered to make informed choices - supporting their health, confidence, and performance in every arena.’ With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, initiatives like Girls 2 Win play a key role in shaping and inspiring athletes of tomorrow. In addition, our Sport Physiology students are also involved in the UniSQ’s ‘Mind 2 Win’ program. This program explores the crucial role of the mind in health, wellbeing and performance. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, students are developing key psychological skills such as focus, resilience, self-awareness, and mindset strategies. These tools will help them manage stress, build confidence and perform under pressure, while also supporting their mental health and long-term success. ‘At Fairholme, we are delighted to provide our students with access to world-class education and research in partnership with UniSQ - helping our young athletes take bold steps towards their sporting goals, and perhaps even towards the Olympic stage in 2032.’

Sports Spotlight: Simoné Botha

By Sarah Richardson • August 1, 2025
Year 11 student, Simoné Botha, is carving out a name for herself as one to watch on the netball court, with her dedication and talent earning her multiple state and national honours this year. After a standout performance at the Netball State Championships in May, Simoné was selected for the Queensland Representative School Sport U/19 team, earning Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours for the Darling Downs U/19 side. Later this year, she’ll join some of the state’s top young players at a high-performance camp on the Gold Coast — a coveted opportunity to refine skills and learn from the best in the game. Earlier in the 2025 season, she took to the national stage as part of Queensland’s U/17 team at the Netball Australia National Championships. Her leadership skills shone through as she was appointed Vice-Captain, guiding the team to a commendable 5th-place finish. Her impressive form during the tournament caught the eye of national selectors, leading to her inclusion in the U/17 Australian Netball Squad and recognising her potential at the highest level. In early July, Simoné’s sport took her to Canberra, where she joined fellow rising stars at the Australian Institute of Sport for an intensive high-performance training camp. The experience offered a unique chance to learn from elite coaches and train alongside some of the nation’s best young talent. Closer to home, Simoné continues to compete in Queensland’s premier netball competitions, playing in the Ruby division of the HART Sapphire Series in Brisbane. Looking ahead, she’s excited to make her debut in the prestigious Sapphire High Performance Netball League. With her passion, skill and determination, Simoné’s journey in netball is only just beginning and there’s no doubt her name is one we’ll be hearing for years to come.

Sports Facilities


Fairholme College is passionate about supporting the next generation of sporting champions as well as developing a healthy future for all students.

Multipurpose Indoor Gymnasium

For basketball, volleyball, netball, aerobics, badminton and beep tests

Aquatic Centre

Indoor, 8-lane heated 25m lap pool with grandstand seating for squad training and water polo


Teaching Pool

Indoor, 3-lane heated 10m teaching pool for Learn to Swim

Strength & Conditioning Centre

With cardio equipment, pin loaded and free weights, TRX suspension training system.

Designated Throws Complex

Designated throws area for athletics

Grassed Multi-Purpose Oval

For athletics, hockey, touch football, Rubgy 7's, football and softball


Two synthetic runways for long jump and triple jump

Multi-Purpose Flood-Lit Courts

Three flexipave outdoor multi-purpose flood lit courts for tennis, basketball, and netball

The John Sessarago

Sporting Scholarships 2027


The John Sessarago Sporting Scholarship is available for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2027.


Candidates must be competing at (or progressing towards) State, National or the highest possible level in at least one sporting activity (team or individual) that is offered in the Fairholme College sports program.


Applications open in late 2025 for entry in 2027.



Learn More