Olivia Hala | Sport

Kia Ora, my name is Olivia Hala and I am currently in year 11 at Tauranga Girls College.
Growing up, my younger years were spent either at the track in summer or at the Netball courts in winter, and my passion for these two codes continues to grow each year.
I have specialised in the 800m since age 10. My most memorable sporting moment was in 2020 when I won the 14 Girls 800m, 1500m and 14 Mixed Medley (running the 400m leg) as well as being one of four recipients of the Nick Willis Scholarship at the North Island Colgate Games in Inglewood.
My focus is still the 800m, breaking both my school and Bay of Plenty record this year and placing 2nd at the North Island Secondary Schools. I have also started competing in the occasional 2km Steeplechase (last year I came 3rd at NZSS, with this being my first ever attempt at it, and this year I won the Steeplechase at the North Island Secondary Schools). I was also one of the 4x400m Mixed Relay team (Tauranga Boys and Tauranga Girls combined) that came 2nd at New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2020, beating the previous record time. This year, I was also named Female Captain of the Under 16 Waikato Bay of Plenty Inter-Provincial Athletics Team for 2021.
Since track is such an individual sport, I really enjoy the team aspect that Netball brings. I have represented Tauranga Netball Centre in Representative teams for 4 consecutive years, have been selected for Waiariki Maori Representative teams for 2 consecutive years (however Covid prevented these tournaments from taking place) and I was named in the Waikato Bay of Plenty U16 Netball squad for 2021.
I also love to give back to sport and encourage our youth so when I am not training or competing, you will still find me at the track or the courts – in either a coach, umpire or volunteer role. This year I started my Forward Foundation Ambassador programme, which involves supporting females in sport via Participation, Leadership and Development.
My ultimate goal is to compete for New Zealand one day, in either or both of my chosen sports. I am committed to the hard work and discipline that these codes require and I will try my very best to make these goals a reality.
Thank you to those that have supported me along the way and for this amazing opportunity to continue on this journey in future years to come.