With Paris on the horizon, Claire is only a few weeks away from taking on the world stage with the Hockeyroos at the Olympics. Making her professional debut for Australia at just 18 years of age, Claire Colwill has represented the Hockeyroos in Women’s World Cups and Commonwealth Games. 

Growing up in Mackay in North Queensland, Claire began playing hockey for her school, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, at the age of 6. Her elite ability on the field was evident as a child, and by the age of 10 she was made her first Queensland team, representing the U12 Queensland School Sport Team. Since her debut, she has represented QLD at U13, U15, U16, U18 and open level. 

When she was 16, Claire received a call from the head coach of the Brisbane Blaze asking her to compete in the inaugural Hockey One League. After a strong first season, Claire was selected to represent the Jillaroos, Australia’s U21 team, in a tri-series event against Japan. 

Like many athletes during COVID-19, Claire endured countless cancellations of tournaments and events however, Claire continued to train hard and still managed to attend Junior National Championship events where she captained her team and received multiple individual awards and team accolades. 

Away from the hockey field, Claire is completing an Honours Degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology.