By Adam Clifford
Among American television sports shows, Friday Night Lights became shorthand for grit, resilience and small town heroes punching above their weight. Swap the gridiron for a hockey pitch in Canberra, and you’ve got Alyssa Smith. For Canberra Chill goalkeeper Alyssa Smith, that journey has already had more twists than most players twice her age. And this weekend, it could all come to a head when the 19 year old makes her Hockey One League debut against arch rivals NSW Pride.
For Smith, the chance to step out in Chill colours is more than just another match. It’ll be the culmination of a journey that began in a paddock, where her family built a makeshift hockey pitch during COVID so she could keep training. It’s the product of resilience forged through setbacks, glandular fever, a dislocated shoulder, and even watching ACT’s historic U21 gold medal from a hospital bed. And it’s the reward for a mindset that treats every ‘no’ as fuel for the next ‘yes.’
“I can see it so clearly,” she says. “Walking out in Chill colours, in front of my family and the Canberra community that’s shaped me. It would mean the world. A thank you to everyone who’s believed in me.”
Smith’s story is one of sliding door moments. She first strapped on the pads in Under 11s almost by accident, and by 13 was thrust into senior hockey when Canberra’s CL1 keeper went down injured. “I wasn’t ready in the traditional sense,” she admits. “But I’d been preparing in my own way, playing wherever I could and soaking up everything. That debut wasn’t just a game, it was proof I belonged.”
Since then, she’s been told she was too small, too young, not ready and each time, she’s responded with more determination. “At that age, it feels like the end of the world. But once I got over the sting, it became fuel. Every ‘no’ was motivation to make the next ‘yes’ happen faster.”
That resilience has carried her through the toughest moments. At the 2025 Under 21 Nationals, she captained ACT through the first half of the tournament without conceding a goal, only to collapse with severe stomach pain on the eve of the semi final. From her hospital bed, she recorded a tearful pre game video for her teammates. They played it before walking onto the pitch and went on to win ACT’s first national hockey gold medal in 40 years. “It was pride and heartbreak all at once,” she recalls. “I wanted so badly to be there hugging them, but it reminded me how special this team and journey are.”
What sets Smith apart is her calm in the chaos. She thrives in high pressure moments, using box breathing to stay composed. “In one v ones, I’m in my own world. You won’t see me celebrating a save, just complete focus. I know if I stick to my processes, I can get it done.” Working with a psychologist since COVID has been transformative. “It’s not about pushing harder, it’s about balance. I treat my mental wellbeing like any other part of training. If even one younger player feels more comfortable checking in with themselves after hearing my story, then it’s worth it.”
For Smith, success is about more than medals. She mentors young goalkeepers through the Chill Academy and her club, passing on lessons learned the hard way. “There’s a young keeper I’ve coached who reminds me so much of myself. They’re fearless, eager and full of potential. Watching her step up when I couldn’t play in the U21s final was bittersweet but beautiful. That was her sliding door moment. Seeing her grab it reminded me why I love mentoring. It’s about legacy.”
That sense of legacy is what makes this weekend’s clash with NSW Pride so significant. It’s not just a debut but a chance to represent Canberra, to repay the community that’s backed her and to prove that the Chill’s underdog spirit can match it with the best. “We’ve got heart,” she says. “We’re not the biggest or flashiest, but we’ve built something real. We have a culture of grit, connection, and belief. Every setback has made us stronger. This could be our year.”
Beyond this year’s Hockey One League, the horizon is even brighter. Smith is in the frame to be the Jillaroos’ number one at the Junior World Cup in Chile later this year. “That’s the dream I’ve been working towards for years. Standing in the green and gold, the anthem playing, the energy of the team beside me. It’s not about nerves, it’s about belonging. That moment would mean everything, not just as an athlete but as proof the challenges were worth it.”
Through it all, she hasn’t forgotten the support that’s carried her. “My family has been there for every early morning, every injury, every high and low. To debut for the Chill would be a thank you to everyone who’s believed in me.” She also acknowledges the local businesses backing her journey. “I’m so grateful to The Little Sutton Bakehouse and Double Shot Deakin for their support. Having sponsors who believe in me makes a huge difference. It’s part of the village that keeps me going.”
Ultimately, Smith sums up her philosophy simply: “I want to be a good human before being a good hockey player.” Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose. It’s a famous line from the Friday Night Lights popularised by Coach Eric Taylor (played by Kyle Chandler), but it could just as easily be Alyssa Smith’s mantra as she prepares to step into the spotlight for Canberra Chill against the Pride, with the Junior World Cup waiting just beyond.