When Olga first picked up a basketball at seven years old, it was simply because her older brother did. Growing up in a household where sport was part of daily life, she followed him into tennis, football, and basketball. What started as sibling influence soon became something much deeper.

“Sport was our way of bonding. It’s always been part of my childhood.” Over time, basketball became the one that stayed.

Competing Without a Blueprint

Olga’s pathway into national league basketball was not conventional. During lockdown, a local club approached her while she was playing in the park. With no girls’ team available at the time, she began competing in the Under 16 boys conference.

She accepted the challenge.

Often physically smaller than her opponents, she adapted her game. Shooting became her main weapon. It was how she could impact games against stronger opposition.

“It was challenging, but I’m always up for a challenge. It prepared me for everything that came after.” That experience did not just improve her skillset. It strengthened her mindset.

Raising the Standard

Her next step came in Sheffield, competing in the Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League. Moving away from home and training almost daily, the environment demanded focus and discipline.

“My game went from a zero to a ten.” The structure, conditioning, and competitive intensity accelerated her development. It was during this period that her game began to expand beyond shooting. She worked heavily on attacking from the three-point line, developing confidence driving to the basket rather than relying solely on outside shots. Those two years shaped the player she is today.

A Return with Intention

After Sheffield, Olga took a short break from basketball. But when discussions began around forming a Division Two women’s team at the Hawks, the timing felt right.

With no D2 women’s teams in Leeds or across Yorkshire, it was a significant opportunity. “I missed basketball. When the opportunity came up, I was ready.” Starting training last summer, she returned not just to play, but to compete at a level that matched her standards.

Evolving Her Role

Now operating primarily as a shooting guard and backup point guard, Olga’s game reflects her journey. While once labelled a shooter during her time competing in boys basketball, she now sees her strength in attacking from the three-point line and putting pressure on defences.

“I still shoot when I need to, but driving has become a big part of my game.” Her evolution mirrors the adaptation she has consistently shown throughout her career.

Building Chemistry from the Ground Up

As part of the Hawks’ first Division Two women’s season, Olga takes pride in the team’s growth. “We don’t have a star. We’re all equals.”

From early training sessions focused on open discussions to understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses, the team has invested time in building genuine chemistry. “It wasn’t going to be there from the start, but we look so much cleaner now than in our first game.”

For her, progress is not just measured in results but in connection.

Playing for Something Bigger

Beyond competition, women’s basketball holds deeper meaning. Alongside playing, Olga coaches an Under 12s team, understanding the influence senior players can have on younger generations. “Being part of the Hawks means being a role model.”

She believes women’s basketball is still growing and wants to contribute to its progress. “Women in sport matter. We should be seen and heard.” Surrounded by teammates who share that belief, she sees this season as more than just fixtures and standings. It is part of a wider movement to build opportunity, visibility, and community within the game.

For Olga, basketball has always been about stepping into challenge. Now, with the Hawks, it is about progress and purpose — helping shape the future of women’s basketball both on and off the court.