Olivia Inspires Girls To Set Goals

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Olivia O’Rourke has inspired secondary students from Macarthur Girls High School as part of the Olympics Unleashed program.

While training and working, Olivia has completed a Bachelor of Construction Project Management at UTS majoring in planning and graduating with first class honours. Olivia has also received multiple awards to support her academic and sporting commitments including the UTS Ross Milbourne Elite Athlete Scholarship, AIS Education Scholarship and AIS Grant.

Olivia shared her story of returning from injury with over 200 Year 9 students, encouraging them to persevere with their dreams despite the set backs they will face along the way.

“The main thing is pushing through, focusing on small goals and ticking them off to get to the end goal,” Olivia told the students.

“Reach out to your support team, always have a vision and believe that you will get there.”

Olivia endured a number of set backs before trials to major events and shared these stories with the students. She missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games after landing flat on the water from a dive.

“I was in really good form and was ready to go, when during a warm I landed flat on the water. I was pulled off in a stretcher with a serious concussion and could not compete.”

Olivia worked through her recovery by focusing on her major goal.

“I did not lose sight of my big goal which was making the national team. My family and friends also really supported me.”

Olivia achieved her goal in 2021 when she was named to the national diving squad after winning two bronze and one silver medal in the women’s 10m synchronised event at the 2018 and 2019 FINA Diving Grand Prix.

But she then suffered another set back at the trials for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“I contracted influenza B, then fractured my rib and couldn’t compete. It was tough.”

Olivia shared with the students that she started to question the 4am starts and whether her goals were worth it, considering the injuries she continued to suffer. She met with a psychologist.

“They helped me to see my potential and my passion. They made me realise this was not the first set back and told me not to lose sight of my goal.

The students were very engaged and eager to hear more about her story. Olivia reiterated the importance of goal setting, not only in sport but in school and life.

“Goal setting is really important, it’s really good to have a goal in the future and work towards something,” Olivia said.

“Right no my goals are to continue to make Australian teams and hopefully get to a Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games.”