It’s no exaggeration to say that Abby Andrews’ Tokyo Olympic dream hinged on a potentially heart-stopping decision.
“The Olympics? Or not the Olympics?” was the choice facing the water polo left hander in early 2021 when she experienced a rare heart health episode just weeks before the final Olympic team selection.
Abby’s Olympic ambition was ignited in 2019 with a surprise invitation to attend her first senior Australian squad camp when she was aged just 18. Fast forward through Covid to 2021, and an unexpected heart incident almost stopped her cold. The then 20-year-old was told that any chance of Olympic selection depended on getting her issue getting fixed. Fast.
“Within the space of three days I'd had an operation and a surgery to stop my problems,” Abby recalled.
“It was so crazy. There were chances of getting a pacemaker, chances of death, things I didn’t have time to dwell on because it was literally the Olympics or not the Olympics!”
The surprises continued in Tokyo for Abby who thought, as a young Olympic debutant, her place would be firmly on the bench.
“Three minutes into the first game the coach looks at me and says, ‘Get in’. It was just so shocking, and within the first touch of the ball I scored a goal.
“To think that I was a heartbeat away from not even being there. Those games were absolutely crucial to my development and have helped me continue to thrive.”
Big decisions have always been a hallmark of Abby’s career.
Growing up in a family of sports lovers in Brisbane, Abby excelled in swimming and netball but was initially reluctant to give water polo a go because it was her “big sister’s sport”. But when she trialled in year six at school, there was no looking back.
Abby juggled water polo alongside netball until year 10 when she faced a pivotal decision.
“While I loved both sports, ultimately I love the physicality of water polo and I just found there was no other way to channel all your emotion into a sport.”
Although navigating the waters to the Tokyo Olympics was anything but smooth for Abby, her water polo career has continued to go from strength to strength.
“Last year I played professionally in Italy which is one of the strongest leagues in the world. I was the highest scorer in the league which was a huge milestone forme.”
Abby’s pursuit of excellence isn’t limited to the pool. Juggling studies in a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics at the University of Queensland (renowned as one of the most academically challenging degrees) with an elite sporting career has been tough.
Despite moments of uncertainty Abby says, “I’ve been pretty proud of myself for pushing through and continuing with the degree. It was really draining combining the two but even when I went to Italy I managed to keep studying.”
Seeking a balance between her sporting career and life outside the pool, Abby was introduced to Minerva Network through another Minerva Athlete, fellow Aussie Stingers legend and quadruple Olympian Bronwen Knox. With an eye on exploring opportunities outside sport while still competing and accessing internships during her studies, Abby was keen to take advantage of the connections offered by Minerva.
“Because I could never find a time that suited my schedule to get an internship, I thought being part of a huge network like Minerva could be a massive benefit.”
Abby’s Minerva Mentor Claire Fidler – Executive Director and Company Secretary at ASX-listed National Storage – has been very supportive and helped relieve some of the pressure she felt to rush into the industry.
“Having an independent, experienced mentor to support me and work around my schedule, who comes and watches some of our games, and has taken me into her office so I can see what the corporate lifestyle is like, has been so valuable. Claire’s advice has also helped me relax about my future, knowing that she will be there to help me set things up when I’m ready.
“Minerva is such a great group that’s sport and life friendly – it’s really looking out for those in-between steps and transitions, both in how you’re playing as well as what could be after your sport. The workshops have been really useful and the life skills focus, like managing your balance, funding, etc, works in well.
“It’s such a great platform to have so many women on and I’ve met so many girls through Minerva and connected with other sports that I wouldn’t have had contact with otherwise. It’s just awesome to see other women thriving and have a real nice sense of belonging.”
Abby has been supported by the Queensland Academy of Sport since she was 15 years old.
“It's just my favourite place. Nothing compares to the QAS state-of-the-art facility.
“Being able to use the facilities, physio, all the screenings and everything they provide has provided an incredible advantage for me as an athlete for the past eight years.”
Minerva Network’s partnership with the Queensland Academy of Sport is supporting elite sportswomen like Abby to soar inside and outside the sporting arena.
Looking ahead, Abby envisions a future brimming with opportunities.
“I’m aiming for the Olympics in Paris and LA at the least. Then if my body allows it, maybe I’ll shoot for Brisbane too because it would be insane to experience an Olympics in my home city.
“After Paris, I’m also hoping to finish Uni at the end of next year, which is quite ambitious but I'm going to try.”
Abby also appreciates the impact she can have as a role model for younger girls and actively promotes her sport and gets involved in running workshops for kids.
“I want to show other female athletes and students that you can be successful at both sport and study (or work), and that networks like Minerva can help you balance both.
“Watching my friends in full time work has made me very grateful I am an athlete!”
Minerva Network and the Queensland Academy of Sport are partnering to support and empower women in elite sport, providing female athletes with access to mentoring, networking and development opportunities to enable them to achieve their full potential on and off the field.
Together we’re supporting Abby as she strives for a legacy that could extend all the way to Brisbane 2032.
