From St Mary’s to the Olympics – Amarliah selected for elite AIS squad
POSTED February 17 2026 , News
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Year 11 student Amarliah, who has been selected by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to train full-time at the National Training Centre in Canberra as part of the Volleyroos for 2032 program.
Hailing from Geraldton, Amarliah’s selection places her among only five Year 11 students nationwide to be offered this prestigious opportunity – a pathway designed to identify and prepare young athletes who may represent Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
What makes her achievement even more extraordinary is that she had never played a formal game of volleyball before arriving at St Mary’s as a boarder in Year 7.
For Amarliah, her selection represents an exciting next step in her sporting journey.
“Yes, this is an opportunity for me to gain knowledge and professional exposure to volleyball at the highest level in Australia.”
Amarliah’s natural athleticism, skill, determination and enthusiasm quickly drew attention – first from our teachers and coaches, then from state selectors, and now from the AIS.
Leaving St Mary’s for the next stage
Accepting a full-time training position in Canberra means leaving our School community earlier than expected, something Amarliah admits is emotional.
“I am sad to leave St Mary’s because it is a second home to me. Mrs Douglas and the staff always support me. I have made lifelong friends during my four years at St Mary’s, and I am grateful for the experience.”
A family’s strength and support
Amarliah’s mum, Tara, is incredibly proud of her daughter’s achievement.
“We are always proud of Amarliah. This opportunity shows us we have a strong daughter with big dreams.”
Tara shared that she could see her daughter’s passion during a school match less than a year ago.
“I watched Amarliah play volleyball nearly 11 months ago, and I could see her light up. She plays many sports, but volleyball was her passion.”
While sending her across the country was not easy, the family is steadfast in their support.
“Sometimes you just have to have faith that everything will work out. Wherever this journey takes her, St Mary’s will always be family and a stop on the way home for the holidays.”
A future Olympian in the making
As she settles into full-time training at the AIS, balancing school, strength conditioning, elite coaching and national development pathways, Amarliah is now firmly within reach of her dream to represent Australia at the 2032 Olympics.
Her story is one of courage, opportunity, and hard work. We are immensely proud of her achievements and look forward to watching her journey unfold.
Congratulations, Amarliah – we can’t wait to see where your talent takes you next.
