Local hockey player Bianca Zurrer will represent Australia on the world stage after being selected for the Jillaroos under 21 squad for the Junior World Cup qualifiers in Auckland next month.

Her selection followed another successful year on the field that most recently saw her making her debut for HC Melbourne in Hockey One, the country's premier domestic league.
She has also won a spot in the Victorian state squad for the Hockey Australia Under 21 Championships in Bendigo next year.
Born and raised in Gippsland, Bianca, 18, cut her teeth locally playing for the West Gippsland Strikers before making a move from Longwarry to Melbourne earlier this year for both her university studies and to further her burgeoning hockey career.
She has represented Victoria on numerous occasions in the past but this will be her first time pulling on the green and gold.
Bianca said she was "very excited" by the prospect of playing for Australia, especially since she's already friends with other members of the squad.
Following a number of try-outs through the year, she said it was a genuine shock when she was told she had made the cut.
"I was very surprised actually, I wasn't part of the under 21 squad earlier this year but somebody aged out and a spot opened up. I really wasn't expecting it," she said.
Having never been overseas before, she said her next priority was getting a passport for the first time.
Should the Australian team be successful in qualifying, they will compete at the cup later next year in Chile.
"Hopefully we do well. I'm looking forward to the experience," Bianca said.
Bianca's debut for HC Melbourne in November came after a member of the team came down with COVID, giving her the opportunity after being on the club's list for the season.
Travelling to Canberra for her first game, she was involved in two wins against Canberra and Tasmania, cheered on by plenty of friends and family.
"I was a bit nervous at the start, it was all pretty rough. The games were intense but it was fun," she said.
Having the support in the crowd certainly helped.
"I loved having them there."