Why is Fairholme top of Toowoomba for sport? The results speak for themselves.
Fairholme College has a proud sporting history, providing a supportive environment where girls of all abilities are encouraged to be active, participate with confidence and pursue excellence, whether enjoying sport with friends or striving for elite performance at the highest level.
This commitment to excellence has seen an incredible eleven Fairholme Old Girls progress to the Olympic stage. Beyond the Olympic arena, many more Fairholme athletes have proudly worn the green and gold, representing Australia across a wide range of sports and international competitions.
Fairholme Olympians
Tatum Stewart (2019)
Field Hockey, 2024 Paris
Dom Du Toit (2014)
Rugby 7s, 2021 Tokyo, 2024 Paris
Demi Hayes (2015)
Rugby 7s, 2021 Hockey
Emily Tapp (2010)
Paratriathlon, 2021 Tokyo Paralympics
Emilee Cherry (2010)
Rugby 7, 2016 Rio
Gemma Etheridge (2004)
Rugby 7s, 2016 Rio
Hope Munro (1994)
Hockey, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London
Pippa Savage (1998)
Rowing, 2008 Beijing
Dannielle Liesch (1995)
Synchronised Swimming, 2000 Sydney
Cathy Freeman (1989)
Athletics, 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney
Liz Hepple (1975)
Cycling, 1988 Seoul
These achievements are a testament to the strength of Fairholme’s sporting culture - a program that encourages every student to pursue her personal best while providing the coaching, facilities and support needed to excel both on the field and in the classroom.
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.
Cross Country
2025, 2024, 2023 & 2022 Overall Champion Girls’ School at the Darling Downs Cross Country Championships. 21 Fairholme athletes selected to represent Darling Downs region at the 2025 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
Finalist 2025 Equestrian Queensland School of the Year.
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.
Ten Fairholme riders selected to compete at the 2025 Australian Interschool Equestrian 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.
Toowoomba Netball Association 2025 Wednesday Night Competition - Division 1 Champions, Division 2 Runners-Up and Division 3 Champions.
Six Darling Downs representatives in 2026.
Swimming
13 Fairholme Swimmers selected to represent the Darling Downs Region at the 2026 Queensland State Championships. Fairholme students made up a quarter of the DD girls 13-19 Years team.
Two students selected to represent Queensland School Sport in 2026.
2026 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.
Mr Mitch Koina, Fairholme's Co-ordinator of High Performance Coaching, brings a wealth of experience in sport, education and pastoral care to the program, 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, injury prevention and management
- fitness testing
- sport performance education
- academic support and mentoring
- sport physiology elective subject
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:
Specialist Sporting Programs
Fairholme Equestrian
Interschool Queensland Overall Champion Secondary School for five years running!
Fairholme has a proud history in Equestrian, with many riders each year qualifying 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.
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.
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.
Fairholme High Performance Sport Program
Through our Fairholme College High Performance Sport Program, student-athletes gain access to elite coaching, specialised support, and tailored resources designed to help young athletes achieve their sporting goals while thriving academically.
Fairholme Fitness
Our highly successful strength and conditioning program has been in place at Fairholme now for over eight years.
Programs are offered to all Fairholme girls who want to work on their strength, conditioning or general fitness in a controlled environment, led by qualified coaches.
Morning and afternoon sessions are available, Monday - Friday during term-time.
Co-Curriculum Sport
A wide variety of sporting activities are offered in both competitive and non-competitive environments.
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
Fairholme Sports News
The John Sessarago
Sporting Scholarships 2028
The John Sessarago Sporting Scholarship is available for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2028
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 for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2028 will open in late 2026.
