Mariah Williams

Biography

Mariah Williams, a dedicated athlete from Parkes, NSW, found her passion for hockey at the age of four, leaving behind her early interests in soccer and touch football. Throughout her youth, she was inspired by the talents and mentorship of Casey Sablowski, and the Olympic vision imparted by triple Olympian Stephen Davies during her years at Middleton Public School.

By 13, Mariah moved to Newcastle to attend Hunter Sports High School, enhancing her skills in a competitive environment. Her international debut came at 17 during a series against Korea in Perth. Her journey to becoming a fixture in the Australian team peaked in 2015 with notable achievements, including a gold at the Oceania Cup.

Despite being born without a ligament in the back of her knee and undergoing multiple surgeries, Mariah's resilience saw her overcoming significant injuries, including a major groin surgery in 2018. Her rehabilitation journey at the Australian Institute of Sport showcased her unwavering determination as she utilized various activities to regain her fitness and strength.

A proud Wiradjuri woman, Mariah is passionate about Indigenous recognition and became an ambassador for the Australian Institute of Sport’s share a yarn program in 2021. Mariah's pride in her cultural heritage remains a core aspect of her identity and mission.

Mariah's Olympic journey saw her debut at Rio 2016 followed by Tokyo 2020, where the Hockeyroos’ impressive performance in the group stage was a notable highlight, despite the narrow quarter-final loss to India. This disappointment fueled a renewed spirit, leading to significant successes in 2022 including a bronze in the FIH Women’s World Cup and a silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Her contributions to the NSW Pride victory in the Hockey One League grand final further cement her status.

In 2023, the Hockeyroos, driven by the lessons from Tokyo, secured third place in the Women’s International Pro League and clinched a spot at the Paris Olympics by winning the Oceania Cup. As Mariah continues to push her limits, the memory of Tokyo serves as a powerful motivator in her quest for Olympic success.