When Ascham graduate and former boarder Olivia Ryan expressed her desire to study sports management at university, she was asked by several people why she would want to enter such a competitive, male-dominated industry.
‘I just had to do it,’ she said. ‘It was my careers adviser at Ascham who suggested that because I loved sport and I also loved business, a course like this combined both of my passions. There are growing numbers of girls doing it—in my uni course there are so many girls in each class.’
In her second year of a Bachelor of Business Management majoring in Sports Business, at the University of Technology Sydney, Olivia is learning about the multifaceted opportunities available to her and other women within the sports industry.
Hailing from Scone and boarding at Ascham for six years, Olivia completed Year 12 in 2022 holding significant leadership roles including Captain of Hockey and a Head of House. She is now back as a casual hockey coach and cites the school’s culture as central to supporting her development as a sports leader.
‘Ascham definitely encouraged me—I loved being involved in every sport that I could and being part of a team. Now that I’m learning about the management of sport, I’m loving seeing the other side of it. Last semester I was studying the Australian sports system, examining the grassroots level. This semester it’s all about managing professional sport, how leagues and clubs are managed and operated. The most exciting thing about this industry is that it’s forever growing. There are so many opportunities and pathways—finance and operations, corporate and memberships, community development, broadcasting and media. We’re examining women in sport and the media coverage of it. Why it isn’t equal yet and how we can change that. And we’re coming up with solutions.’
Olivia volunteered with the Sydney Roosters last year and was consequently offered a part-time job. Asked if the Dalton Plan at Ascham helped her to not only balance her academic responsibilities with her sporting commitments at School but also assisted her transition to university and part-time work, Olivia responded emphatically.
‘I’m very passionate about Dalton,’ she said. ‘I loved it, and I have absolutely taken the skills with me since I left school. Oh my gosh, I just want my Ascham diary back! The way I plan everything, I plan my week out, I write everything down. Honestly, it teaches you so much about organisation and independence.’
With a growing focus at Ascham on building female leadership across every aspect of the professional sports industry, Ascham students are well placed to follow their passions. Boarders are known for their love of sport and are encouraged to participate in networks off the field, such as Sisters in Sport.
‘I think there was always a lot of care for sport when I was at Ascham but there’s so much more drive behind it now as well,’ said Olivia. ‘Leadership skills aren’t just going to help you be a good leader. They help you in every aspect of your life as well.’
Visit Ascham at the Boarding Schools Expo 2025: Dubbo (16–17 May), Wagga Wagga (20–21 June) and Narrabri (25–26 July).
For more information about Ascham Boarding, head to this page on our website.
Read more about sports leadership at Ascham and watch our Sisters in Sport video here.
