When Grace Leo came to our school in 2004, she was a very tall year eight student. Her teachers and peers knew she was something special. Grace chose to put her height to good use, through the game of volleyball. She is now an astounding six-foot tall, year 10 student and her volleyball accomplishments are amazing. In year 9 she trialled for the Under 15 years Metropolitan East volleyball team and was successfully selected as a starting middle blocker. At the State Titles she competed and was then further selected as a member of the under 15 years Queensland School Girls Volleyball team, to compete at the National Titles. In the same year she was selected in the Under 17 years Queensland Volleyball Association squad, an amazing achievement for a 14 year old. Grace has already had a very successful 2006 on the volleyball court. She was again selected in the under 15 years Metropolitan East Team to compete at the State Championships. Grace is currently a member of the JTS Under 21 squad where she trains and gains experience with older, more experienced players.

As well as furthering her individual career, Grace has proudly represented her school in the sport in interschool teams, Junior and Senior Schools Cup teams, held in both Brisbane and Toowoomba, and competed in the National School’s Cup tournament in Melbourne in years eight and nine.

At the age of 14 Grace has already had an amazing volleyball career. But her current career highlight is truly amazing. In December last year, Grace spent a week of intensive training and game play in Bendigo for the Under 17 years Australian Trials. Grace is now a member of the Australian Squad for the next two years to compete in New Zealand later this year and to travel to Asia next year to compete at the World Titles.

Grace is currently looking for sponsorship to support her on her many endeavours over the next few years. The Rochedale State High School community congratulates Grace on all of her achievements. We wish her all the best in the upcoming events and for her future volleyball career.

Article by Jodie Austin
Student Management Team Member