[1] Joyce was first selected for Victorian state representation in the 1989 women's youth four, however the Interstate Regatta was not conducted that year due to a cyclone.

She finally competed at the 1991 Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships as stroke of the Victorian women's lightweight four contesting and winning the Victoria Cup.

[1] Joyce's national representative debut came when, still aged eighteen, she was selected to stroke the Australian lightweight four at the 1989 World Rowing Championships in Bled.

[2] Joyce and Sally Ninham held their seats in the Australian lightweight four in 1990 and were joined by Pam Westerndorf and Amanda Cross.

They gained some international experience with a valuable tour of North America before coming back to Tasmania for the 1990 World Rowing Championships in Lake Barrington.

She won her heat, finished second to France in the semi-final and then raced magnificently in the final to win the gold medal and a world championship title.