Olivia’s story is one of movement, growth and finding home in sport. From early days with a ball never far from reach to captaining at elite level, her journey reflects what it means to keep evolving while staying grounded in who you are. What stands out most is not just where she has played, but how she leads, with connection, consistency and care.
Growing up, Olivia was always chasing movement and connection. Sport was a constant, whether it was athletics, tennis, basketball or footy in her early years. She spent eight years playing representative basketball before making a shift that would shape the next chapter of her career. “I was naturally drawn to sport, and you would not see me without a ball in my hand,” she says.
When pathways in women’s football began to open up, she made the decision to cross over in 2019. From local footy, to NAB and Coates League, then into VFLW, Olivia quickly found herself progressing through the ranks and embracing every challenge along the way.
That journey led to a season with Essendon’s inaugural AFLW team in 2022, an experience she describes as both grounding and formative. Now, she is heading into her sixth season at Port Melbourne in the VFLW, a place she calls home. “I feel most at home at Port Melbourne,” she shares.
For Olivia, sport has always been more than competition. It has been shaped by family influence, strong female role models and a deep desire to move, connect and grow.
“Family lines in sport and a genuine craving for movement and play initially inspired my passion,” she says.
As she grew older, she began to see sport as something much bigger. It became a place where identity could be explored and reshaped, where strength and leadership were not limited by outdated expectations.
“Sport showed me that being a girl can also mean being strong, communicating assertively and leading teams,” she reflects.
“It gave me confidence to take up space both on and off the field.”
Winning the 2023 VFLW premiership with Port Melbourne remains one of Olivia’s most defining moments in sport.
It was not just the result that made it special, but the journey that led there. Years of building connection, trust and belief within the group created something powerful long before the final siren.
“Those outside the club never thought we stood a chance,” she says.
“That was built on connection, grit and the mentality that everything we needed was already within us.”
It was a reminder that success is not always about resources or reputation, but about belief, unity and how a group shows up for each other.
Olivia has held a leadership role at Port Melbourne VFLW since 2022 and has recently stepped into co-captaincy alongside Eloise AC.
While leadership has strengthened her communication and performance influence, its impact reaches far beyond the game.
These experiences have deepened her understanding of people, community and the way sport reflects broader social realities, particularly for marginalised groups. Those lessons now flow directly into her work as an occupational therapist in the community.
On reflection, she sees leadership as something built quietly over time rather than defined by titles.
“You do not earn trust in big moments alone, it is created in how you show up every day,” she says.
Olivia joined Empowered to Lead at a point where she wanted to deepen her leadership beyond instinct and lived experience.
“I had spent years leading through sport, but I wanted language, frameworks and reflection to better understand how and why I lead the way I do,” she shares.
She was drawn to the program because it aligned with her values, female-led, community driven and grounded in real lived experience.
While she initially expected practical leadership tools, what she found was something much deeper.
The program created space to explore identity, values and personal experience in a way that felt honest and grounding.
“It exceeded my expectations by connecting leadership to purpose and wellbeing,” she says.
“It created a community of people who were honest and supportive of each other’s growth.”
One of the most powerful shifts for Olivia was realising that leadership does not need to be loud to be impactful.
Hearing different leadership journeys helped validate her own style, one built on connection, consistency and trust.
That moment gave her permission to lean further into authenticity rather than comparison.
Olivia has already applied her learnings in a practical way, particularly during the early stages of pre season.
Recognising her team was in the forming stage of development, she became more intentional in how she showed up.
She focused on modelling values, reinforcing trust and encouraging simple, proactive actions that build strong foundations.
These early behaviours, she believes, are what set teams up to navigate challenge and grow together.
Sport has taught Olivia that leadership is not about isolated moments, but about everyday consistency.
“It is built through consistency, accountability and care,” she says.
She has learned the importance of listening, regulating emotion under pressure and recognising that every person brings different strengths and challenges.
These lessons continue to shape how she leads, works and connects beyond the sporting environment.
Olivia is focused on continuing to grow across both sport and occupational therapy, learning how leadership shows up in different systems including health, community and elite sport.
She is committed to refining her communication, mentoring others and staying grounded in her values as her responsibilities grow.
Long term, she hopes to contribute to environments that prioritise wellbeing, equity and meaningful participation.
Olivia is passionate about what the future of women and girls in sport should look like.
She believes real progress requires more than visibility.
“I would love to see sustained investment in women’s sport that goes beyond visibility,” she says.
“We need fair pay, safe environments, strong pathways and leadership opportunities at every level.”
For Olivia, representation matters, but so does power in decision making. She believes in systems that allow women and girls to lead, learn, fail and grow without limitation.
“To Play Like a Girl means to lead with strength, intelligence and authenticity, without apology,” she says.
It is about embracing emotion and power at the same time, backing yourself and others, and challenging outdated ideas about what women can be.
Receiving a fully funded opportunity through Empowered to Lead held deep meaning for Olivia.
Support from partners including Infosys, Highview Accounting, Gadens and Classic Sportswear made it possible for her to invest in her development without financial barrier.
That support directly empowers women to lead with confidence and purpose.
“I am incredibly grateful for the belief in women’s leadership and the impact this support creates,” she says.
Olivia’s story is a reminder that leadership is not defined by volume, but by presence. It is built in the everyday moments, the quiet consistency and the courage to show up fully.
Through sport, community and reflection, she continues to lead in a way that is grounded, authentic and deeply human, showing what it truly means to Play Like a Girl.
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