Olivia Ashby. Photo by Ben Fraser
Rotorua rower Olivia Ashby has a simple message for young athletes looking to get a scholarship overseas. Apply.
The former Western Heights High School and John Paul College student is off to the United States to take up a sporting scholarship at Oregon State University.
Ashby won gold at the 2013 Maadi Cup, with her quad team from Western Heights High School, and later applied for a scholarship overseas.
The 18-year-old will leave for Oregon in August to begin her first year at university. Her scholarship will pay for up to five years of study, accommodation and rowing costs.
To land such a great opportunity, Ashby started by emailing about 10 colleges in the US.
"I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I finished school. My dad was like 'you shouldn't go to university if you don't know what you want to do and waste money'."
On the other hand, her mum thought it was a good idea to carry on with her education.
"I had done well in Maadi and rowing was one of my passions," Ashby said. "Dad pushed me a lot and I emailed a lot of different colleges [for a scholarship]."
A few colleges emailed back but she had most success with Oregon State. After Skyping the head rowing coach a couple of times, she was offered a scholarship.
She said her rowing buddies and family were stoked for her.
"I think it made a few of my friends wonder 'why didn't I try and do that'. It is so much easier than what people think."
Ashby encouraged more young athletes from Rotorua to try and apply for similar opportunities overseas.
"They can't wait for someone to go out and scout them, it doesn't work like that, they need to go and grab it for themselves. I think a lot of people would be surprised [if they tried]."
Ashby said her main goal at college was to get a good education and to push for the top boats, in the fours and eights.
"I just want to do the best I can and just take it all in," she said.
Ashby has been rowing since her first year at high school and her family are also into the sport.
Oregon State University women's rowing head coach Emily Ford said she was happy to have Ashby on board.
"We are eager to welcome our eighth Kiwi to the Oregon State rowing family.
"New Zealand is a great recruiting ground for us because of the geographical and cultural similarities to Corvallis and Oregon.
"Olivia is a fireball. She has great energy and a work ethic to match. She is the type of individual who people love having on the team because she is so positive and aggressive. I think she will really thrive in our team environment."
Ashby will study agricultural business management this year. She is based in Auckland where she is earning money for the year ahead.