Three Loreto Normanhurst alumnae are preparing to step onto the world stage to represent Australia at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan starting 23 July 2021.

The upcoming Olympics marks an historic occasion for the Loreto Normanhurst community with superstar softballers Ellen Roberts (2009) and Tahli Moore (2012) selected to the Australian softball squad. The Aussie Spirit squad became the first athletes to land in Japan and will be playing local teams before moving into the Olympic Village on July 17.

Softball is returning to the Olympic program after a 12-year wait before again missing the cut for the Paris Olympics in 2024 which makes this opportunity that much more important. Australia has a proud history at the Olympics in softball, winning a medal in every Games the sport has been included in, with a Silver medal in 2004, and Bronze in 1996, 2000 and 2008.

Roberts and Moore join fellow Loreto Normanhurst graduate and the new queen of Australian hurdling, Liz Clay (2012) as they gear up to contend with the best of the best.

Clay has recently stepped into territory previously occupied by Australia’s top sprinter, Sally Pearson and has now achieved the automatic qualifying standard (12.84). ​

Roberts and Moore recently returned to Loreto Normanhurst to speak with students and staff about their incredible sporting careers. They reflected on the importance of their Loreto education and agree they were given the opportunities and tools to have resilience, compassion and confidence to become modern-day Mary Wards ready to take on the world – this time at the prestigious Tokyo Olympics.

“I am really proud to be a third generation Loreto girl. I know that each girl here is going to achieve greatness and that is so exciting to think about,” says Moore.

Roberts agrees, saying “My heart is so full after being amongst it all again. I love the Loreto Normanhurst atmosphere and culture.”

As Australia turns towards Tokyo to support its Olympic Athletes, there is no doubt that some of the proudest and loudest cheers will be coming from Normanhurst as the Loreto women take on the world.