From the grass fields of Corrigin to the national turf stage, Wheatbelt hockey talent Bella Connelly has reached a major career milestone after being selected in the National Under-21 Jillaroos squad.
Connelly is one of four WA athletes selected in the Jillaroos, alongside emerging players from across the country.
The squad brings together some of the nation’s most exciting young hockey players following standout performances in the domestic pathway, including the 2026 Under-21 National Championships.
The selections form part of Hockey Australia’s long-term talent identification program, with athletes chosen based on national championship performances, positional requirements and age profiles to meet both current and future international demands.
The squad will now begin preparations for the 2026 Junior World Cup Qualifier to be held in Australia in October as Australia aims to secure qualification for the 2027 FIH Junior World Cup.
For Connelly, the news was a moment she described as “surreal”, saying it was still hard to believe.
“I saw one new message downloading and prayed it wasn’t another shopping spam email and it wasn’t,” she said.
“I went numb as soon as I saw the subject of the email.
“I immediately started to cry and had to double-check that it was actually my name on there, and I called my mum and dad straight away.
“It felt so surreal, such a pinch-me moment. It honestly still is.”
Connelly is delighted be part of the squad and can’t wait to see where this opportunity will take her.
“I am so excited to hopefully play for the Jillaroos as it’s a massive honour and something I would be so proud of,” the 19-year-old said.
“I am so excited to see where it takes me, both technically and physically.
“I love to travel and see new places, so if I got the opportunity to travel (with the squad) I would absolutely love that.”
It hasn’t always been an easy journey for the rising star.
Connelly said reaching this level required a significant amount of hard work, discipline and sacrifice.
“As my friends and I got older the social events became parties and going out, and I rarely attended these because I had the stress of a game the next day and I would stress that I wouldn’t get picked to play high enough level club games if I wasn’t performing at my best,” she said.
“I used to put a lot of stress on myself to perform well but as I have developed I have seen that in my game I play best when I am having fun, and now I have a much better balance between seeing my friends and playing hockey.
“It took me so long to find the right balance, but now I really am loving being able to prioritise both.”
Connelly thanked her parents, saying if it wasn’t for their unwavering support and love she wouldn’t be where she is now.
“I would never be where I am today if they didn’t do the 406km round trip to Perth almost every week or the early mornings to drive me to trainings,” she said.
“I am so appreciative of the effort they make to push me and hold me accountable to my goals.
“Knowing I have my family in my corner makes me so eager to push forward, because no matter the success or setback, I know that they will all be there to support me and push me.”
Connelly hopes one day to be a Hockeyroo.
“My goal is to keep enjoying my hockey,” she said.
“I am having the best season coming off the 21s tournament in Canberra, which was so much fun.
“I would love to play for the Hockeyroos but as long as I am enjoying my hockey, what more could you want?”
Connelly said the support of the Corrigin community had made the achievement even more special, and she hoped her journey showed young country athletes elite sport was within reach.
“Knowing that I have the support of the whole Corrigin community means the world to me, and it has made it that extra bit special,” she said.
“I hope that by me making this I can inspire kids in town or any country town that if you work hard you really can achieve anything you want, and where you live doesn’t define your success.
“If you are really serious about following a dream, I encourage you and your parents to buy in . . . you cannot give up, no matter what.”
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