Olivia Lindon

My Hockey Background

I began playing hockey at the age of six, joining my local club before starting school hockey at St Cuthbert's College when I was eight. At eleven, I joined Western Hockey Club, where I have continued to develop as a player and compete at a high level.

During my time at Western, I spent three seasons in the Youth Premier team and was honoured to receive the Youth Player of the Year award in my final season. The following year, I moved into the Premier Reserve team while also earning opportunities to play with the Premier team. That season, I was proud to receive the Striker of the Year award. At age sixteen, I was selected for the Western Premier team, marking an important step in my development as a player competing at senior club level against many current and former national-level players.

Alongside my club hockey, I have represented St Cuthbert's College First XI since Year 9. In 2023, we won the Federation Cup, recognising us as the top girls' secondary school hockey team in New Zealand. In the following two seasons, we finished second and third nationally, before winning the Federation Cup again in 2026.

I have also represented Auckland at both U16 and U18 level. I first played for the U16 team, where we finished runners-up, before being selected at fifteen years old for the Auckland U18 team competing at the National U18 Tournament, where we finished fifth nationally. I am proud to have been selected again to represent the Auckland U18 team this season. Following the U18 Tridents Regional Camp, I was selected for the U18 Tridents squad to compete at the Futures Hockey League tournament in December 2026.

In addition to hockey, I played netball and trained in competitive gymnastics at a high level throughout my childhood. These sports played an important role in developing my coordination, agility, balance, discipline, and overall athleticism, all of which continue to benefit my hockey today.

My Hockey Game

One of my strengths as a player is my versatility: I can play across multiple positions from defence to attack. Playing in multiple positions has given me a strong understanding of the game from different areas of the field and has improved my ability to adapt quickly to different game plans while contributing wherever my team needs me.

Another strength of mine is my game awareness and vision. I enjoy reading the game, identifying space early, and making effective decisions under pressure. Whether creating attacking opportunities, linking play through the midfield, or defending against quality opposition, I work hard to make a positive impact in every phase of the game.

My work rate and competitiveness are also key parts of my game. I am willing to track back defensively, press hard to win the ball, and support my teammates across the entire field. I enjoy high-intensity games and consistently push myself to maintain focus and performance throughout training and games. I am highly coachable, committed to continuous improvement, and enjoy challenging myself against the highest level of competition.

Why I Want to Play College Field Hockey

I am excited about the opportunity to play college field hockey in the United States because it allows me to combine high-level athletics with a strong academic education. I am motivated by the opportunity to play in a competitive and high-level hockey environment, where I can continue to develop my technical skills, game understanding, and physical performance. I am eager to learn from coaches and improve through every training session and game. I am also looking forward to being part of a team culture where everyone is committed to working hard, improving together, and holding high standards both on and off the field. I enjoy competitive environments where I am pushed to perform consistently and contribute to the team in multiple ways.

Academically, I value a university that will challenge me in the classroom while allowing me to pursue my passion for hockey. I am motivated to work hard in my studies and take advantage of the opportunities a US college education provides.

Beyond hockey and academics, I am excited to experience a new culture, build lifelong friendships, and become part of a close-knit team community. I want to continue developing as a player, compete at the highest level possible, and see how far I can take my hockey. One of my long-term goals is to continue progressing through New Zealand's high-performance pathway, with the ambition of one day representing the Black Sticks.