ELLIOTT RETIRES AFTER LEGENDARY CAREER

By Shania Bulala

For over a decade, Olivia Flores Elliott has been one of the driving forces behind the Guam women’s rugby team. As the captain of the national team, Elliott’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering passion for the sport.

Elliott has officially retired after more than a decade of competing at the national level. She shifts her focus to her family and her career as a registered nurse at the Guam Memorial Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit. From her debut on the international stage in 2013 to her final match in October 2024, she has cemented an enduring legacy in women’s rugby, both on Guam and across Asia.

Her love for rugby began in high school when she started playing flag rugby as a freshman at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam. “At the time, unlike today, rugby was only played as flag at the high school level,” she recalls. “We won the IIAAG championship my senior year, and I just loved playing, so when I graduated, I wanted to continue to play the sport.”

After high school, Elliott transitioned to tackle rugby, participating in the annual Tru Grit tournament. “The rugby community on Guam at the time was very small and close-knit, so because of the girls I played with in local tournament events, I started training with the national team and never stopped,” Elliott adds.

Over the years, Elliott represented Guam in numerous international tournaments, showcasing her skills in countries such as Thailand, India, Japan, Korea, and Nepal. Some of the highlights of her career were leading the team to historic wins in India and Nepal. “If I had to choose two of my MOST memorable moments, they would probably be when we won 2nd place in the development series in India and when we won 3rd place in the trophy last year in Nepal,” Elliott reflects. “Guam had never trophied in rugby before, so being a part of those historical moments for Guam Women’s Rugby was… indescribable.”

Elliott’s ability to represent Guam on the global stage was always a source of pride for her. “Walking onto the pitch wearing the Guam flag on my sleeve or over my chest always gave me a sense of purpose,” she says. “When you’re playing for the place you were born and raised, the place where you fell in love with the sport and played against the people who pushed you to be better, you’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”

Despite competing against larger countries with more extensive talent pools, Elliott and her teammates definitely made their mark. “Being from Guam makes it all the more special because these big countries have millions of people and talent to choose from compared to our much smaller population,” she explains. “Guam Women’s Rugby is going to put up a fight, hit hard, and show that even though we are from a small island in the Pacific, we can compete, and we’re not going to give anyone an easy time. We may roll up with flowers in our hair, but when it’s time to hit, best believe they’re going to feel it.”

As Elliott steps away from her role on the national team, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence. To the next generation of athletes aspiring to compete at the national level, she offers this advice:

“To Guam’s future national team players, there really is no off season. The work you put in when no one is watching is where your success is made. Work hard, push yourself, and push your teammates because when you’re on the pitch, it’s just the 7 of you vs. the 7 of them, and you have to be able to leave it all out there every time. And lastly, enjoy every single moment, because when you look back on the journey and your experiences, they are ones you will cherish forever.”

Her contributions have undoubtedly elevated Guam’s presence in international rugby, and while her competitive career has concluded, her impact on Guam Rugby and women’s sport will continue to inspire and endure.

MULTI-SPORT STAR

Elliott’s athletic prowess goes beyond the rugby pitch. In fact, the name Olivia Flores is synonymous with women’s tackle football excellence with Team Legacy and all the way back to her high school and middle school years excelling in many other sports.

Check out her impressive athletic resume:

Childhood age 7-11 years

Gymnastics (Body Arts & Starz Gymnastics Academy)

Agueda I. Johnston Middle School (2004-2007)

Cross Country

Volleyball

Soccer

Track & Field

Robbie Weber Youth Soccer League (2004-2007)

Hyundai Cars Plus

Team Explosion

Academy of Our Lady of Guam / Class of 2011

Volleyball (2x 2^nd Team All-Island) / Far East All-Tournament Team

Soccer (1x 1^st Team All-Island, 1x 2^nd Team All-Island)

Rugby (2011 IIAAG Championship, 3x 1^st Team All-Island, IIAAG Girl’s League MVP)

Notre Dame De Namur University

Volleyball

Bud Light Guam Women’s Tackle Football League (2013-2019)

Team Legacy- Running back & Safety

7 GWTFL Championships (2013-2019)

2013 All Island 1^st Team- Kicker

2013 All Island 2^nd Team- Running Back & Safety

2015 GWTFL Offensive & Defensive MVP

2015 All Island 1^st Team Running Back & Defensive Back

2016 All Island 1^st Team Running Back & Defensive Back

Bud Light Women’s Soccer League / G-League (2012-present)

Hyundai Cars Plus

Shipyard

Guam Women’s National Rugby Team

2013 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy, Thailand

2015 Asia Rugby Pre-Olympic Qualifier, Chennai, India (3^rd Place)

2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Qualifier, Tokyo, Japan

2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Qualifier, Hong Kong

2016 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy, Hong Kong

2016 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy, Korea

2017 Asia Rugby Sevens Development Series, Chennai, India (2^nd Place)

2018 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy, Brunei

2019 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy Jakarta, Indonesia

2022 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy Jakarta, Indonesia

2023 Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy, Doha, Qatar (5^th Place)

2023 Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Qualifier, Osaka, Japan

2024 Chiang Mai 7’s, Chiang Mai, Thailand (Champions)

2024 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy, Kathmandu, Nepal (3^rd Place)

GSPN #8 multi-sport athlete of decade 2010-2020

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