Australia’s fifth Indigenous Hockeyroo reflects on tears, nerves and the special aspect of joining her First Nations trailblazers

Nova and Brooke Peris, Lorelle Morrissey, Mariah Williams — and now Jamie-Lee Surha. Tears fell as the youngster became just the fifth Indigenous Hockeyroo. Here’s what made it even more poignant.

Jamie-Lee Surha became the fifth Indigenous player to play for Australia's Hockeyroos. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Tears of emotion were shed between father and daughter when Australia’s fifth Indigenous Hockeyroo learned she’d make her international debut wearing the team’s ochre First Nations strip.

It’s been a whirlwind month for Jirrabul Mamu woman Jamie-Lee Surha, thanks to a late call-up by Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell for FIH Pro League stops in the Netherlands, England and Germany.

Tears of emotion were shed between father and daughter when Jamie-Lee Surha and dad David learned she’d make her international debut wearing the team’s ochre First Nations strip. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Trinny called me and I missed it because I was working and I had to call her back,” Surha said.

“She said one of the girls got injured just before the trip to Europe and basically told me to pack my bags

“There were lots of nervous laughs from me, but It really hit me and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is actually happening’.

“She called me on the Friday and I had to fly Sunday morning to travel with the team, so I basically had a whole day of packing and checking everything to make sure I was ready.”

International starlet Mariah Williams presented Jamie-Lee Surha with her First Nations Hockeyroos strip. Picture: Supplied

The Queenslander said it was a special moment to be presented the Indigenous strip — which has become as much a part of the Hockeyroos’ identity as the green and gold — by teammate Mariah Williams, who is the only First Nations player in the women’s full-time high performance squad.

The Hockeyroos have embraced Indigenous culture as part of their values and held a yarning circle — a traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practice involving a gathering of people sitting in a circle to share stories, knowledge and experiences in a culturally safe space — to welcome Surha, among other debutantes.

Jamie-lee Surha battles to win the ball against India. Picture: World Sport Pics

“It was really wholesome, most of the girls told their stories through Indigenous paintings and artwork but some of the debutantes that didn’t get the opportunity to do the artwork and we were able to tell our stories to everyone,” she said.

Against the Netherlands at the home of Dutch hockey, Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, the 20-year-old joined Williams and retired hockey greats Nova and Brooke Peris and Lorelle Morrissey as the only First Nations women to play international hockey for Australia.

“I actually didn’t realise that I was only the only fifth Indigenous woman to represent Australia,” Surha reflected.

“Just to make the Hockeyroos is a massive achievement in itself, and then being able to wear the ochre uniform for my debut as an Indigenous woman, it was very special and it made me proud.

“When I told my dad I’d be wearing that uniform for my debut, we both got a little bit teary.

Hockeyroo Jamie-Lee Surha with brothers Mathew and Dylan, sister Libby and dad David. Picture: Supplied/Jamie-Lee Surha

“The atmosphere was unreal. I’ve never experienced anything like that as a player, so that was definitely something to overcome and just try to play my game against the Dutch.

“It’s sinking in a bit more now that I have taken some time to look back at the videos and the photos from the game.

“It’s always been the dream and what I’ve been working towards but I definitely didn’t think I’d be in this position this early in my career.”

The Mackay teen has been a promising junior prospect from the moment she picked up a stick, a regular representative of Queensland junior state teams.

Hockeyroos legend Nova Peris coached Jamie-Lee Surha to 2021 national championships bronze with the Northern Terriory U18 squad. Picture: Supplied

In something of a full-circle moment, the legendary Nova Peris — who was the first Indigenous woman to win Olympic gold when she helped lead the Hockeyroos to glory at the 1996 Atlanta games — actually coached Surha.

Crossing state lines in 2021, Surha joined Peris’ Northern Territory U18 squad as it emerged with a bronze medal at the national championships.

A move to Brisbane after she completed schooling has helped the young striker level up.

Part of the Queensland Academy of Sport hockey program, Surha made the national U18 futures squad in 2023 and then a debut for Brisbane Blaze in last season’s Hockey One competition put her firmly Powell’s sights.

Jamie-lee Surha in her Maroon jersey for Queensland’s Under 15 girls squad.

Powell said Surha was selected with one eye on the Hockeyroos’ future.

“It’s the first year of an Olympic cycle and so, while we’ve got our national squad for 2025, there has to be a longer-term view for athletes who are coming through our pathway,” Powell said.

“We identify those who would really benefit from an early tour with the Hockeyroos to understand the level, not just on the field, but off the field as well.

“Jamie-Lee’s a great athlete, she’s fast, she’s strong, she’s fit, she’s just a talented hockey player.

“And she’s also fabulous to have around the group, a great, great person who is a good fit for the Hockeyroos.”