Q&A: Hockeyroo Claire Colwill on Pressure Moments, Mental Prep and the Road to World Cup Qualification

With the 2025 Oceania Cup doubling as a 2026 FIH World Cup qualifier, the Hockeyroos face one of their biggest tests. Claire Colwill sat down with us to offer her insight into pressure games, mental preparation, and how to make these big moments count.

Q: It’s been two years since the Hockeyroos last faced a best-of-three Test Series. That time, the Paris Olympic Games were on the line; now it’s the 2026 FIH World Cup. What do moments like these mean for an athlete?

C: It truly gives you excitement to start with. We see this as the beginning of our World Cup preparation. To me personally, it is the first step, the first opportunity in our new cycle, to showcase our potential to achieve World Cup greatness.

Q: Does it feel different out there when you know there’s something big on the line?

C: These moments to be able to step on the international stage for Australia aren’t as common as they are for the European teams, for example. Any high-performance athlete at this level is in it to win it, and we are continually on the pursuit for perfection. When these occasions arise, you make the most of the opportunity, you grab it with both hands and put your best self forward – this is what you what it takes to be world class.  

It certainly feels different being at a higher-stakes competition. Exposed to both internal and external pressures, and scrutinised for your performance, it’s the reality of being an elite athlete. But this is what we train for. These thoughts are constantly in the back of your mind every day, every week, and as the time gets closer, it becomes more prevalent. Though, it’s about accepting these thoughts and  placing your attention on what you can control under these pressured moments.

Q: Part of that training has become the mental game, off the pitch. How have the Hockeyroos worked on that space as a group?

C: We’ve become more aware of our emotions and how they affect us physically on the field. Whilst I won’t give away all our secrets! We’ve learnt to reflect on what’s helpful and what’s unhelpful for us mentally, and we’ve worked out specific tools which allow us to bring our attention (focus) back to the present moment. We understand now that our focus can only remain on one thing. Taking deliberate and intentional training in this space has taken the Hockeyroos to a new level in high performance.

Q: Do those skills come to the fore in flash moments of decision-making on the field, or is it more at the quarter-time breaks?

C: It’s throughout the whole 60 minutes. It’s easier to take control in those larger gaps, like the quarter-time break, but in-game, when there’s a call that hasn’t gone your way or a mistake happens, it’s harder to control your emotions in that moment and that’s exactly what we’ve been working on.

Recently, in our practice matches against the Australian development squad, we reflected on our performance and how well did approach the matches. We will certainly be taking these critical reflections into the Oceania Cup.

Q: What do you think drives those emotions in the first place?

C: It’s who we are as humans. It’s innate to look for danger and to get distracted. Trying to stayed focus on just one controllable thing is quite challenging, especially with opposition, umpire calls, or expectations in the mix. It’s important to take th time to develop this skill just as much as physical training is.  

Q: Fans may see the Hockeyroos taking a moment to breathe and reset before the game. This is a technique that’s been embraced in individual sports for a while but we’re seeing more team sports use it as a tool. Why do you think this tactic has become more prevalent?

C: I think it’s just becoming more aware through the media that science does work. It makes sense if you think about it; it’s as simple as lowering your heart rate through breathing, which allows you to concentrate more and perform better. Science is becoming more understood from both the athlete’s point of view and the High Performance staff throughout elite sport.

Q: What about for you personally, would you say you’ve always had a strong mental game in your career, or is it something you’ve strengthened over time?

C: I think I’ve always been good in this space, but I’ve certainly become more curious about why people are the way they are and how I am as a person. Our mental skills coaches, Emma Murray and David Astbury, have helped me identify who I am and why I am the way I am. From an athlete’s perspective, it’s been my responsibility to understand that, and it’s working.

Q: Heading into this World Cup Qualifier, how would you sum up the feeling in the group right now?

C: There’s so much excitement, and there’s a real eagerness to prove to ourselves and to Australia how hard we’ve been working, physically and mentally. Ultimately, it’s about proving to ourselves and to each other that we are capable and that we are world class.