Olivia Bradley

Community Bursary Award Holder

Bachelor of Civil Law (2025)

I have played water polo competitively for 15 years, captaining my state at national competitions and being recognised with several Most Valuable Player and Highest Goal Scorer awards. Notwithstanding the Bachelor of Civil Law’s notoriously immense workload, I have been a committed member of the Oxford University Water Polo Club (OUWPC) since my arrival, and the experience has been exceptionally rewarding. 

I am extremely proud to have played a part in the Women’s Blues successful 2025-2026 season: we finished strongly in the BUCS Premier South Division, advanced to the national quarter finals, and secured an eighth consecutive Varsity title by defeating Cambridge 12-3, five goals of which I contributed. 

Participation in Blues sport is a significant personal commitment, requiring training near daily and competing each week, including regularly travelling substantial distances for away fixtures. Unfortunately, it is also a real financial commitment, exacerbated by the fact that water polo is a generally underfunded sport. I would therefore like to express my deep gratitude to the donors for their extraordinary generosity. This Bursary will significantly ease this financial burden and recognise the personal dedication that Blues sport demands. Significantly, it will fund my travel with the OUWPC to Spain for an international development competition, offering incredible opportunities for continued growth as both a player and leader. I am especially honoured to receive this Bursary as a female athlete and hope that its award will encourage other women at St Cross to actively participate in university life. 

I would also like to thank Adelaide Tritons Water Polo Club and Water Polo South Australia for facilitating my development over the past 15 years. Finally, I must acknowledge the OUWPC, especially the Women’s Blues and our coach, Kyle Durr: your unwavering dedication, passion and support has made my time at Oxford unforgettable.