From nervous first tackles to representing Queensland, I’ve learned that growth begins the moment you step outside your comfort zone.

My rugby journey started unexpectedly when a parent on my Grade 6 camp told me they thought I’d be good at the sport. I decided to sign up, but at first, rugby was far from easy for me. I was scared to tackle, scared to be tackled, and honestly didn’t enjoy it much in the beginning.

Everything changed when I was selected for the Queensland Country representative team in the U14s. That experience gave me confidence, pushed me to take the sport more seriously, and made me realise how much I loved competing, improving, and being part of a team environment. Since then, rugby has become a huge part of who I am.

Some of my proudest achievements so far include representing the Queensland Honeybees at the 2025 Global Youth Sevens, being selected in the U18 Emerging Reds Training Squad, and competing for Queensland Country at the 2025 Buildcorp Junior Nationals in the U16s division. Each opportunity has challenged me to grow both as an athlete and as a person, and has motivated me to continue chasing bigger goals.

Right now, I’m working toward my dream of playing 15-a-side rugby for Australia. I know there is still a long way to go, but I’m committed to continuing to develop my skills, work hard, and take every opportunity to learn from the people around me. Representing my country would mean everything to me and would reflect years of dedication, resilience, and sacrifice.

Beyond rugby, I’m currently a Grade 12 student preparing to graduate high school. I also work casually and enjoy painting, which gives me a creative outlet away from sport. I value balance, hard work, and always trying to improve in every area of life.

If you’d like to follow my journey or support my campaign, I’d love to have you along for the ride. You can follow me on Instagram at @bellacanning_sport or TikTok at @bellacanning.