Olivia’s AFLW dream

Finley’s Olivia Cicolini (pictured) has moved one step closer to realisng her AFLW dream, recently receiving her first sponsor.After recognising her hard work and persistence, Tocumwal’s Trigger Performance has committed helping Olivia on her journey as she dreams for an AFLW career.She took the first step to her professional football career earlier this year when she attended the GWS AFLW senior team training as well as making her debut for the Under 18s Murray Bushrangers.However, her debut season for the U18s Bushrangers was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.She continued to compete with her Shepparton based women’s side until the borders were closed.During this time Olivia remained hard at work with Tocumwal Trigger Performance owner Jamie Haynes, having scheduled sessions twice a week for 18 months.This year, Olivia dropped down to once a week with Haynes to train with the Finley Cats thirds.During her 18 months with Haynes, she has relished every second in the gym.‘‘He (Jamie) is really good, he gives you all the advice you need, you tell him what you need to work on and he works out the program for me.‘‘I’m mostly working on things I need to improve on for footy, things like strength, balance, having a strong core.‘‘I’ve been doing some power lifting recently so that’s fun.‘‘My favourite part of training during the pandemic is being able to get a step ahead of the girls for preseason trials for the Bushrangers squad.‘‘They’re meant to be in November if everything goes to plan. Because I’m in New South Wales I’m not as restricted as the Victorian girls so I can continue to go to the gym.’’Haynes through personal experience in striving to become a professional athlete wants to ensure the opportunity for support is there for those who need it.‘‘I grew up in this area, pursuing a professional tennis career,’’ he said.‘‘I know first hand the commitment it takes from the player, parents, coaching and travelling. I have always wanted to help aspiring athletes in the area in some way.‘‘Just because you’re from a small town it doesn’t mean you can’t do big things.‘‘The local community helped myself and my parents, it’s my turn to give back.‘‘We have been working on developing her body to that of an AFLW player, to be explosive, powerful, robust and resilient.’’While training with Olivia, Haynes has seen her potential and recognised her chance to fulfil her dreams.‘‘We have been working with Liv for a while now from a strength and conditioning, physical performance, preparation and recovery perspective.‘‘This has given us the opportunity to get to know her, understand her goals, limitations, abilities and obviously as a person.‘‘She is a strong, determined young athlete with dreams, a work ethic, passion, focus and desire to attack and chase her goals with a relentless effort and attitude.‘‘She is also very humble, kind and a great listener who is very coachable.‘‘You can have all the talent in the world, but if the attributes I mentioned earlier are not there, then talent alone is sadly a waste.‘‘Liv encompasses all of these attributes, she is a very much loved and respected member of the community and of course our Trigger community.’’Despite growing up in Finley without a women’s team for the majority of her life, Olivia received a lot of support to help her play the sport that seamlessly runs through her veins.She remains committed to her long-term goal throughout the pandemic and said even if her path to the AFLW is not smooth, she will persist until her dream is met.‘‘My main goal is to get drafted and if not, in my draft year go and play some VFL and work my way into the system somehow,’’ Olivia said.‘‘My family is footy crazy so ever since I can remember I’ve had a footy around and then in primary school my principal helped me out, getting me into the boys teams so I could play.‘‘I like competing against the boys, they’re really accepting down here, they treat me like one of the players.‘‘I went and did some training with the Giants’ women’s side earlier this year and I got to know a lot of players and their coach who was really good to me, so If I could I’d like to play for them.‘‘But I think I’d go anywhere to realise my dream.’’