The distance from Perth, Western Australia to Sydney spans approximately 3,290 kilometres. It takes just over five hours to fly or over 42 hours to drive. In any instance it’s a massive undertaking to relocate. For Hayley Bullas, it was a no brainer.
The Sydney Swans recruited the experienced midfielder during the AFLW delisted free agency period in 2023 after having played four seasons with the West Coast Eagles.
According to the 28-year-old, it was the pursuit of greater potential that pushed her to make the move. But after suffering a ruptured ACL in the 2023 preseason the glass ceiling rapidly shifted as she was tested more than ever before.
In a candid conversation with Sydney Swans Media, Bullas discusses female role models, injury, and her role at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Firstly, how did you come to play footy?
“It’s a bit of a long story but I started playing when I was nine years-old in the U11 side with the boys. One day I was kicking the footy around at halftime with my stepdad at my brother’s footy and they suggested I go and play.
“I only played one season and stopped. When I was in Year 8, I joined an inter-school competition and my close friend at the time suggested I join the female football side at Chirnside Park.
Without the girls only club, do you think you would have continued playing footy?
“I guess it all happens for a reason and if I hadn't had that break and then gone back in Year 8, I might not be here. I wouldn’t change the way it is, but I would have loved more opportunities to look at female athletes and have them as role models, which I don't feel like I had when I was younger.”
Had you always wanted to become a professional athlete?
“I don't think it was ever really on my mind. I knew that I wanted to be the best sport person that I could be and find that limit in myself - and I still haven't found that limit. I'm still working on that all the time. So, yeah, I haven't reached that limit and that pinnacle, and it changes.”
Moving from Western Australia to Sydney is significant. What was running through your mind when you had to make that decision?
“I knew that I had unfinished business, and I knew that I hadn't reached my potential yet. I knew that I still had so much more to give, and I just needed different people around me to facilitate that. Coming here, it was an easy choice.”
What have you learned about yourself since the move?
“That I'm incredibly resilient. I knew that I was really determined, and I wanted to reach and find those limits, and there's still, there's no ceiling to that. Coming here on my own, going and having (ACL) surgery, I was quite nervous about all of that, all in such a short amount of time. But what I've learnt is this club is amazing, and the team is incredible, and everybody gets around you. I feel really lucky to have had everybody help get me through the past year, and to then see this year come to fruition, and be able to run out there and play with the girls is amazing.”
Talk to me about your role at UNSW in the Elite Athlete Program. How did that come about, what does your day-to-day role entail?
“I was looking for a job as soon as I hit the ground here and the UNSW Sport Elite Athlete Program was looking for somebody, so I applied for that through the club…and I ended up getting the role. I love what I do, and the people that are in my team.
“We have over 280 elite athletes at UNSW, and I help them with flexible studies. So, changing their timetables around, so that they can participate in sport. Really helping to facilitate athletes to be able to do education and have a career post-sport, but also pursue their sporting career while they can. It's only such a short window, so it's really important that they see that.”
How does UNSW support you as a professional athlete?
“They provide me with a lot of flexibility too, which is incredibly important when you play at this level. Especially in pre-season, we have a high-demand schedule and especially in-season when we have a floating schedule… I just have to get my hours in within the week and I get my work done, that's important.
“I was in at work at eight this morning, and then came (to the club), and then I'll be here until tonight. So it's just going back and forth between the two, but I'm so lucky that they're really understanding of my football commitments.”
How did it feel to finally run out with the team after everything that’s happened in the last 12 months?
“It was quite a surreal moment. I was just about to go on, and I was at the interchange, and I just kind of looked around and took it in, and I thought, this is really special, and I need to really savour this moment, because you don't get moments like this very often. Afterwards I was quite lost for words, having both the win as well as getting through unscathed too, and just playing footy again. It was awesome to be back on the big stage.”
What goes through your mind out on the field? Are you always thinking or is it instinct?
“It depends what role I'm playing, because I switch between positions. But genuinely when I'm playing inside mid or wing I don't really think too much, but that's when I go into the forward line, and I go to think a little bit harder, because it's not a position that I play very often. But I think the times when I play my best is when I am not thinking at all, and you just play. You just play footy, and the coaches just trust that you know what you're doing.”
Lastly, what do you hope to achieve this season?
“The ultimate goal for all of us is winning a premiership - making finals, succeeding in those finals, and winning a premiership with the girls. That would be the ultimate pinnacle for anyone. That's what we all search for and want. Just being able to run out at the end of the day.”
