Queensland School Sport Pathways Link Sherwood To AFL Development

Queensland Representative School Sport has supported the development of student athletes across multiple disciplines for more than a century, with Sherwood linked to the pathway through the junior football progression of Brisbane Lions player Jaspa Fletcher.



A Long-Running School Sport Program

Queensland Representative School Sport provides competitive pathways across 21 sports, supporting students through district, regional, state and national championships. The program allows students to compete in structured environments while continuing their education, helping athletes develop both sporting and personal skills.

The program has operated for more than 100 years and has supported athletes across a wide range of sporting codes, creating consistent pathways during school years.

Jaspa Fletcher
Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Highlighting Athlete Journeys

Queensland Representative School Sport maintains an athlete portal that profiles students who have participated in representative competitions. The portal outlines how involvement in school carnivals and championships has contributed to later sporting opportunities.

Athletes featured include Grace Brimelow, Rhani Hagan, Kobi Walker, Deanna Turner and Alexa Leary. Each progressed through representative school sport in disciplines such as swimming, athletics, rugby, triathlon and netball, gaining experience through interschool and championship events.

Queensland Representative School Sport
Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Sherwood’s Connection Through Jaspa Fletcher

Sherwood’s direct link to the program is reflected through Jaspa Fletcher’s junior football pathway. Fletcher progressed through Queensland Representative School Sport as a junior athlete, competing at district, regional, state and national levels.

He began his junior football career with Coorparoo before later playing for Sherwood Districts, where he continued his development in Brisbane’s local competition structure.

school sport pathways
Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Transition To Professional Football

Fletcher’s under-18 performances in 2022 resulted in his selection with pick 12 in the national draft. He made his AFL debut in 2023 and has since been part of Brisbane premiership-winning teams in 2024 and 2025.



His progression demonstrates how representative school sport pathways can support long-term athlete development, connecting junior participation to elite competition through structured programs.

Published 17-Dec-2025

Sherwood Magpies Star Gets Lions Callup

Brisbane father-son selection and first-round draft recruit Jaspa Fletcher will commence training with the Lions in early 2023. This will give the son of former Lion Adrian Fletcher and Sherwood Magpies star time to recover from a back injury.


Read: World’s First United Cup Tournament Launches in Tennyson


Fletcher said that he spent six years in the Brisbane Lions Academy and has been a part of it since he was 12. He played 107 games for Brisbane allowing him to be eligible to join the club as a father-son prospect at the NAB AFL Draft.

2022 NAB AFL Draft picks
2022 NAB AFL Draft picks | Photo Credit: AFL / afl.com.au

“I am absolutely stoked, as is the family. Mum shed a few tears, Dad’s never been too emotional about it all so it was good to see him finally show a bit of emotion!” Fletcher said after the selection last 28 November 2022.

The midfielder will begin his professional career following a strong 2022 campaign, winning the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best and fairest player in the Academy series and averaging 23 disposals at the National Championships.

Fletcher, however, may need to wait up to a month before he could join the Lion’s Den after a scan revealed a “little crack” on his back which he describes as “unfortunate”. He said he didn’t feel any pain and only realised he had the injury until after the results came back.

Sherwood Magpies Star Gets Lions Callup
Photo credit:  Facebook / Brisbane Lions


“Jaspa is a terrific young man whose work ethic and leadership has been outstanding through his junior career with the Brisbane Lions Academy,” Lions National Recruiting Manager, Stephen Conole, said. Fletcher, he said, has the skill set to develop into a genuine hybrid mid and possesses a strong inside and outside game. .

“He completed that this year with an excellent 2022 season, captaining the Brisbane Lions Academy team through their NAB League program and then was named captain of the Allies Under 18 team in the National Championship, where his performances were rewarded with All Australian Selection.

Read: New Sherwood Development Applications

“We are very excited to see Jaspa become a Brisbane Lions player and I am sure he will flourish as he progresses through his Lions career.”