Bella dons Green & Gold at Rugby’s U19 NextGen XVs squad
Townsville teen Bella Canning has earned a spot in Rugby Australia’s U19s NextGen XVs squad, a major step toward her goal of one day wearing the green and gold outright.
Canning was selected in the NextGen Gold team, made up of players from Queensland and Western Australia, which took on NextGen Green, featuring players from New South Wales and the ACT on October 3rd 2026.
Taking place at Knox Oval in Sydney’s Upper North Shore, the game ended tied 27 all after a 78th minute equalizer to Bella’s Gold Team.
The St Patrick’s College student’s selection caps a rapid rise. She was named in the Emerging Reds Under-18 squad in 2025, represented Queensland Country at the National Junior Rugby Championships, and toured Japan with an all-girls 15-a-side side.
Canning is one of ten athletes in the inaugural Team Townsville squad, backed by Townsville City Council, the Aussie Athlete Fund and NQSF.