On Saturday, 17th May 2025, the Foundation of Goodness was honoured to welcome internationally acclaimed New Zealand athlete Tasha Williams to the Centre of Excellence in Seenigama, where she conducted an inspiring sports workshop for our elite athletes.
A multi-disciplinary sportswoman, Tasha’s career spans several fields at the highest levels, from competing in the 2000 Olympic Games and 2002 Commonwealth Games in Athletics, to representing New Zealand in Rugby, Bobsleigh, Olympic Weightlifting and Powerlifting, where she most recently ranked 2nd in the 2024 Masters World Championships. Currently working as a veterinary and market access specialist for the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries, Tasha also owns and operates a gym in New Zealand, making her a true embodiment of versatility and commitment.
Her visit, made possible through the kind facilitation of the New Zealand High Commission, was more than just a motivational talk, it was a hands-on mentoring session, packed with advice on goal-setting, mental focus, overcoming challenges and building a mindset for international sporting success.
The workshop brought together 30 of our most promising athletes from a range of disciplines, including cricket, netball, karate, table tennis and swimming, with participants hailing from both our Seenigama Sports Academy and our 22 Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centres islandwide. Among them were six players who represented Sri Lanka at the 2024 Under-19 Girls Cricket World Cup, netballers who toured Australia with the national team and swimmers and table tennis players who medalled at the South Asian Youth Championships in Nepal earlier this year.
These young athletes listened attentively as Tasha shared stories of her Olympic experience, the pressure of competition and the importance of personal discipline. Her inclusive and empowering approach resonated especially with the young women present, reinforcing that global success in sport is within reach regardless of background when nurtured with dedication and belief. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where athletes asked thoughtful questions, followed by a note-taking activity to help them reflect on their goals and action plans.
Tasha’s workshop is a testament to the power of international collaboration and the potential of sport to uplift and unite. As Sri Lanka looks ahead to the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games, initiatives like these are laying the foundation for rural athletes to step onto the world stage and perhaps one day, bring home Olympic glory.
We are immensely thankful to Tasha Williams, the New Zealand High Commission and all those who made this empowering experience possible. The journey has only just begun, but the first steps towards a brighter sporting future have been powerfully set in motion.
