Ipswich junior sports star Tyla Stolberg is in the US with a Queensland under-17 emerging basketball team.
WITH such strong sporting genes in her family, Tyla Stolberg had every chance of becoming a multi-talented teenager too.
She has.
The well-rounded Ipswich junior is creating her own sporting career, backed by ever-supportive parents Ryan ― a former national league basketballer ― and mum Theresa, a former national level heptathlete and netballer.
Tyla was recently selected in the Queensland North under-17 girls emerging basketball team currently in the United States.
After being named a shadow for the Queensland South team, Tyla welcomed the opportunity to travel with the state’s north team.
The power forward left on Tuesday for a 10-day tour including tournaments in California.
However, it won’t be the first time Tyla plays against American high school teams.
She joined a select team tour to the US in January, gaining valuable experience playing games in cities from Washington to Los Angeles.
“We travelled a lot and played a lot of high schools,” the Brisbane Capitals under-17 player said of that three-week tour.
“I enjoyed it very much.”
Tyla, 15, hopes the latest trip with a Queensland emerging side helps her achieve future goals.
“I feel like this will make me more confident to go further,” the St Peter Claver College year 11 student said.
“I would like to go over to America to play college (basketball). Then hopefully progress to the WNBL (Women’s National Basketball League).”
While basketball is her major focus at the moment, Tyla has also been active in athletics and netball, where she also coaches.
The Ipswich and District Athletics Club competitor has performed well at Ipswich Little Athletics championships, including a third in javelin at the state championships.
She resumes her athletics program in September.
Tyla is also a netball umpire and basketball referee.
In basketball, she co-captained the representative team that won the Division 2 state under-18 championship. Tyla was one of the youngest players in the side.
“He (dad Ryan) was my coach at the state titles,” she said.
“He taught me a lot.”
Highly respected athletics coach Theresa, popularly known as “Marty”, has also been a tower of support.
“She helps me with sport in general,” Tyla said, sounding like her mum.
“I love my sport.”
For her efforts, Tyla is the QT-City of Ipswich junior sportstar for April, in the annual awards backed by Ipswich City Council.
She joins previous winners: Rodeo competitor Jacob Bell (March), athlete Anthony Buhse (February), athlete Casey Bell (January), darts champion Tiarna Smith (December), rugby league player Thomas Mikaele (November), hockey goalkeeper Emily Witheyman-Crump (October), golfer Louis Dobbelaar (September), karate exponent Tara Dodrill (August) and indoor netballer Katrina Smidt (July).
