From Humpty Doo to the Canberra Chill

From catching attention at Opens Indoor Nationals to a stellar Outdoor Club season with the UC Stars. Gabrielle Millan has gone from strength to strength paving her way into the 2024 Canberra Chill Squad. 

Gabi represented the ACT in the 2024 Open Women Indoor Nationals and helped her team to take out the Gold Medal and become the National Champions. A stellar perfomance, with only 5 goals against in 8 games and making many crucial saves in the fast paced matches, she became one to watch leading into the 2024 Outdoor season. 

Previously playing for ANU in the second grade competition, Gabi took a chance and backed herself to strive for a CL1 spot, landing with the UC Stars (previously Devils) from yet another incredible performance in the trials and what a season she had! Gabi played every match (24) in the Outdoor season and was a crucial part of the UC team and a brick wall, assiting the UC Stars all the way to the Grand Final where they won the 2024 CL1 premiership for the first time since 2011.

Gabi also featured in the All Stars matches which are games that are played within the club season but are not club based, where the best players in the ACT competition form two teams, Avalanche and Blizzard, and battle it off. This is used as a selection mechanism for the Canberra Chill teams, which go on to play in the Hockey One League from October to December. 

After an already incredible year, Gabi was selected in the Final 25 Squad for the Canberra Chill and now is set to make her debut on Sunday the 24th November against the NSW Pride in Goulburn. 

We got to chat to Gabi about her selection in the Chill and how she is feeling about her debut. 

How did you feel when you found out you were going to debut?

"Very excited. I wasn't sure if I'd get to debut this season so being told I'd have the opportunity to compete this weekend was amazing".

What are you looking forward to the most?

"The crowd. I have friends and family who are making the trip to Goulburn to watch the game and having that support and energy from the sidelines makes competing so much fun".

Do you have any key learnings or growth from being a part of the Chill?

"Learning what I am capable of. I've learned so much this season, both technically and tactically but also my resiliency and ability to manage the training load will full time work. Because of this, and with the support of friends, family and teammates, I have improved more than I ever thought I could have before going into the Chill program".

Gabi is also supported by her incredible sponsor, Sweet Bones Company, who not only have assisted Gabi's pathway in the Canberra Chill but also dontated delicious cupcakes with the Chill logo and attended the home matches in support of Gabi and the Chill. You can follow Sweet Bones on Facebook: (Sweet Bones Company Facebook), Instagram: @Sweetbonesbakery or check them out via their website Sweet Bones Company Wesbite

We cannot wait to watch and support Gabi in her debut this weekend - Good Luck Gab!