FORMER Moree junior cricketer Riley Slack-Smith in December represented Queensland at the national 12-years-and-under Schoolboy Championships in Adelaide – and the Queenslanders finished in equal top spot with Victoria and South Australia after topping the stats ladder for the series.

Riley’s outstanding bowling placed him second-highest wicket-taker for the championship, and further strengthened a budding cricketing career that began at Ron Harborne Oval in Moree.

Riley’s proud mum, Jodie, said the Queensland squad won all but one match.

“The whole family travelled to Adelaide to support Riley, and we’re so proud of his selection in the Queensland team,” Jodie said.

“They won every game, except the match against Victoria – Riley’s Queensland team played exceptionally well.”

Riley’s love of cricket started at a young age.

AS a nine-year-old in early 2022, Riley slammed the ball all over Ron Harborne Oval at the Moree Junior Cricket Club Saturday morning competition.

He scored 99 not-out, including 10 sixes, with the incredible knock signalling a bright future for the rising young cricketer.

In July, 2023, Riley and his family – older brothers Joshua and Will, and parents Michael and Jodie – relocated to Queensland.

All three boys are exceptional cricketers – a passion passed down from their old man.

Will, 18, has finished studies and is currently sidelined with an ACL knee injury.

Riley, 12, and 15-year-old Joshua are enrolled at The Southport School on the Gold Coast, where Year 5-12 students have access to ongoing cricket training.

The school, with more than 25 cricket teams playing any given summer, has won the coveted GPS Cricket Premiership 24 times, including six times since 2017.

The TSS First XI has also won the coveted State Cup seven times, the latest in 2021.

Riley and Joshua found their calling, and their love of the game found a home.

Earning selection in the Queensland squad was no walk in the park for Riley.

To gain representative honours, students have to first make the district team, known as Hinterland.

Selection trials to make the squad are made up of about 20 schools across the Gold Coast.

“Riley was selected for the team and went on to the next stage,” Jodie said.

Students selected for the Hinterland team go to the South Coast Regional selection trials.

“Last year, this was held on the Gold Coast with 11 teams from all over Queensland attending,” Jodie said.

Riley contributed with both bat and ball, and his team emerged state winners.

Following that success, Riley was selected to represent Queensland at the Schoolboy Championships in Adelaide.

Riley was also selected in the Gold Coast Dolphins under-13 cricket team to play at the Queensland Junior Cricket Southern Challenge State Championships in December at the Sunshine Coast.

There were more than 270 kids trialling across all age groups looking to represent the Gold Coast at the QJC State representative carnivals.

Older brother, Joshua, was selected in the under-15 team to play at Mackay. However, the Mackay championship was washed out.

“Riley’s team won the championship at the Sunshine Coast, but unfortunately Josh’s game was abandoned because of rain,” Jodie said.

“We are definitely proud parents,” she smiled.

“Making the Queensland team is a significant milestone in Riley’s cricketing career, and we are so proud of his outstanding achievements.”