What’s happening?
Hockey Queensland has named its 2026 U16 Boys and Girls Maroon and Gold teams, along with Shadows, following state trials in Brisbane.
Among those selected are four Mackay players in the main Boys squads and two in the Shadows list.
They will now represent Queensland at the national indoor championships in April.
Why it matters
Selections highlight the strength of the region’s junior development programs.
Being named in a Queensland U16 team is a key step in a young athlete’s pathway.
It also puts Mackay on the map as a consistent contributor to state-level hockey.
Local impact
Younger athletes in Mackay can now see a clear pathway from local competition to national representation.
Clubs, coaches and families have played a key role in developing these players.
By the numbers
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Two Mackay players were named in the U16 Boys Maroon team, Izsak Barbeler from Glenella and Isaac Quartly from Habana.
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One Mackay player, Matthew Davies from East Mackay, was selected in the U16 Boys Gold team.
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Three Mackay players were listed as Shadows, Mitchell Hope from Eimeo, Harry Murphy from Farleigh and Aaron Peever from Andergrove.
The championships will run for eight days in Hobart from 14 to 21 April 2026.
U16 Boys – Maroon
Izsak Barbeler, Isaac Quartly and teammates from across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba and Maryborough were named in the Maroon squad.
U16 Boys – Gold
Matthew Davies joins a Gold squad featuring players from Ipswich, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
U16 Boys – Shadows
Mitchell Hope, Harry Murphy and Aaron Peever are among the Boys Shadows, ready to step in if required.
U16 Girls
While no Mackay players were named in the Girls Maroon or Gold teams this year, regional Queensland remains strongly represented across both divisions.
See complete list HERE
Zoom in
For Izsak Barbeler and Isaac Quartly, selection in the Maroon team means they will compete against the best U16 indoor players in Australia.
Matthew Davies will do the same in the Gold team, giving Mackay three players in the main Boys squads.
The Shadow selections also reflect depth in the Mackay junior system.
Zoom out
The Australian Indoor Championships bring together top junior talent from every state and territory.
Performances at U16 level often influence future state and national opportunities in indoor and field hockey.
Queensland will be aiming for strong results in Hobart this April.
What to look for next?
Preparation camps and training sessions will ramp up before the teams head to Hobart on 14 April 2026.
Results from the Australian Indoor Championships will shape future Queensland pathway selections.
