Three TGC Alumni are among talented athletes currently competing in Tokyo. These include Olivia Chance, Frances Davies and Jane Nicholas.

Olivia Chance is representing NZ in football at her first Olympics this year, having previously played for both Iceland and England in the past. After undergoing a knee reconstruction when she ruptured her ACL in 2018, thinking of playing international football again “felt like an impossible dream”. Her focus and commitment to the game saw her complete rehabilitation in nine months and go on to be named in the Football Ferns for Tokyo where she is currently competing.

Frances Davies who plays as a Defender in the Blacksticks also has her Olympic debut in Tokyo this year. The 24 year old, whilst juggling extensive hockey training for Blacksticks and Midlands teams is also studying towards a degree in Criminology and works at the Auckland District Court as a Court Registry Support Officer.

Jane Nicholas’ success in Canoe Slalom began in her early teens where she would take lessons at Waimarino Adventure Park in Bethlehem. She went on to pursue and later graduate from a Medicine degree before her passion to pursue her sport was reignited. Nicholas, whose family is from the Cook Islands and whom she visits at least once a year, felt a strong connection there and interestingly, is representing the Cook Islands for Canoe Slalom this year in Tokyo. She said, "To be able to represent the Cooks, who might only have five athletes at the Games, is a pretty privileged position to be in.’’

All three athletes have not only achieved in their chosen sport but in all areas of life, and we look forward to following their progress throughout this Olympic Games but also for emergent TGC Sportswomen to represent NZ in the future.