Olivia Out To Seize Olympic Opportunity

Olivia Out To Seize Olympic Opportunity

  “As a kid, my goal was always to play at the Olympics. It may be two years away, but it is something I am focussing on and ensuring I am fit and able to play when the time comes.”

Like every other athlete with dreams of representing their country at Tokyo 2020, Olivia Chance is putting in the groundwork now. Having decided to step away from the New Zealand national team shortly after her 2011 debut against the Netherlands in the Cyprus Cup, to complete her studies at the University of South Florida, the Everton Ladies midfielder is now back involved with the Football Ferns, and travelled with them for their tour of Thailand in late November.

It is a transitional period for the country, as they look to qualify for both the 2020 Olympic Games and the next World Cup in France the year before. A 25-strong group travelled to the South East Asian nation to play two games against the hosts, with five players aged between 16-18 and a further three yet to be capped. Even Chance, at 24, boasted only four caps to her name prior to the trip but is determined to cement her place as the Ferns evolve.

“We had a huge group going away, with a lot of new players coming into the squad for the first time, and a lot of young players, too,” explained Chance, who signed for Everton in February after impressing during a trial. “We have a new coach as well, Andreas Heraf, so there is a fresh environment.