A TRAIL BLAZER
- Neumann's Notes
- May 12, 2022
- 3 min read
Olyvia Hoban does not view herself as a trailblazer in football, but she is.
The soon to be 20-year-old Hoban is making a name for herself in football by helping others in a male dominated area of a male dominated sport.
In late April 2022 Hoban received a telephone call she will never forget. It came from the Canadian Football League notifying her she is one of nine women in the Women in Football Program presented by KPMG in conjunction with the CFL. Hoban will serve as an equipment manager with the British Columbia Lions at their training camp in Kamloops, BC. She flew to Kamloops earlier this week and will remain there until June 2.
How did Hoban become involved with the football Dinos?
A 17-year-old Hoban, a Grade 12 student at Bowness High School, sent her application to Johnny Carr (Dinos Head Equipment Manager) about her desire to become involved with the Dinos football program in 2019.
An athlete herself, having danced competitively, Hoban’s love of football started in 2016-17 when she saw the movie “Last Chance U” on Netflix, and saw how a woman in a male dominated sport became involved.
“She started at the bottom learning the basics and showed she was energetic and smart,” stated Carr who has been her mentor. “Olyvia has integrated herself with the team, has proven she is very capable, listens and wants to learn,” Carr stated.
Olyvia did not accompany the team to the 2019 Vanier Cup as she was still in High School but received a National Championship ring that she treasurers. “I was ecstatic to get a ring, it shows the accomplishment the team did,” said an emotional Hoban when asked about receiving the ring.
“Johnny raised me from the bottom, I knew nothing when I started, but he saw I had the drive and passion,” stated Hoban who has received tremendous support from her mother regarding her passion for her endeavors.
Carr is proud of his protégé. “Olyvia loves football, her being selected as part of the KPMG-CFL initiative is a huge benefit for our program,” Carr stated.
An outstanding student, Hoban has completed two years Fine Arts courses at the University. In addition to taking a full load of courses and helping with the football team, she also works part-time at a bakery. “Time management is important and I work from my calendar,” she stated on how she is able to succeed and perform at a high level no matter what she does.
Hoban fit in with the Dinos immediately and is appreciative for that. “Everyone with the team was so welcoming from the beginning. They see me as a professional trying to do the best job I can for the boys. I am here for their health and safety,” Olyvia stated whose long-term goal is to continue to work with athletes after completing her degree.
“I am really thankful to the CFL and KPMG for the opportunity to be chosen, learn more and work with the Lions,” Hoban stated. She will be with the CFL club throughout training camp and the pre-season.
“She (Olyvia) has been a great addition to our staff and learned from Johnny (Carr). She is now getting the opportunity to work with a professional team and learn new things which will beneficial to her and us down the road,” stated University of Calgary Head Football Coach Wayne Harris.
Olyvia Hoban a true trailblazer at a young age, serving as a mentor for other young women who wish to be involved in male dominated areas in a male dominated sport.
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