Faith Oviawe – Reaching New Heights in Rugby While Studying for an MSc in SLT

Rugby and speech and language therapy (SLT) may seem like very different worlds. For Faith Oviawe, however, they are two important parts of a future she is building.

A first-year student on Portobello Institute’s MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration), Faith is balancing postgraduate study and her goal of becoming a speech and language therapist with high-level rugby representing both Connacht and Ireland.

It is a demanding yet rewarding journey, and Faith’s story shows there can be more than one route forward, with different ambitions growing alongside each other.

Driven to Make a Difference

From a young age, Faith knew she wanted to work with children and find a role where she could help improve their lives.

“Becoming a paediatrician was the path I originally saw myself taking,” she explains. “But that didn’t work out the way I had planned. Although that particular route changed, my interest in working with children never did.”

Before joining Portobello Institute, Faith completed a BA in Children’s Studies at the University of Galway, which gave her a broad understanding of children, their development, and the different factors that can influence their wellbeing.

Faith recalls: “When I started thinking about what I wanted to do after my undergraduate degree, I began looking into speech and language therapy. The more I learned about the profession, the more I could see myself in it.”

SLT offered Faith a professional route that brought together healthcare and her interest in working with children, giving her the opportunity to support their communication and development directly.

“My first goal was to become a paediatrician because I wanted to work with and help children. I now feel speech and language therapy gives me another really meaningful way of doing that,” she says.

Finding a Master’s That Could Fit Around Rugby

As Faith set her sights on postgraduate study, she was also competing at an increasingly high level in rugby. She had graduated from the University of Galway and was involved in the Irish Rugby World Cup Prep Squad in 2025 while preparing for the interprovincial season with Connacht Rugby.

“I chose the MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) at Portobello Institute because it felt like the right combination of the career I wanted to pursue and the flexibility I needed alongside my other commitments,” says Faith.

One of the things that appealed to her was the option of blended learning, with in-person classes concentrated around weekends and weekday evening learning delivered online.

“With my rugby commitments, including training and playing at a high level, having that flexibility was really important to me,” she explains.

“It felt like a course that could fit around my life rather than me having to completely put everything else on hold.”

Gaining Real Value from Study and Placement

Faith describes her experience at Portobello so far as very positive. She is enjoying the programme, getting to know her peers, and learning from the different backgrounds and perspectives they bring.

Placements have been a major part of her studies, giving Faith experience in schools and, more recently, in an SLT clinic where she is developing her skills in delivering therapy remotely through video technology.

“What stands out most to me is the combination of the academic side of the programme with the practical experience,” says Faith.

“I really enjoy learning the theory behind speech and language therapy and then being able to see it applied during placement. I think that has made the learning much more meaningful for me.”

Faith also speaks highly of Programme Lead Stella Choy and Portobello’s SLT tutors, crediting their approachability and encouragement throughout her studies.

She explains: “I feel like we’re given the resources, guidance, and support we need to succeed – both academically and on placement.

“Our tutors make sure we understand what is expected of us and provide feedback that helps us improve and build our confidence as we progress through the course.”

Seeing a Future in Paediatric SLT

The Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy module has been a particular highlight, connecting naturally with Faith’s undergraduate degree and her long-term interest in working with children.

Faith says: “Being able to work directly with children and see how communication difficulties can affect their confidence, learning, and everyday lives has made me realise how rewarding the profession can be.

“Even small improvements can make a big difference to someone, and being able to play a part in that is something I find really motivating.

“Paediatric SLT has definitely been one of the areas that I’ve found most interesting and that I can see myself enjoying in my future career.”

How Faith Keeps Everything Moving

Faith manages a packed schedule. At the time of sharing her story, she was training twice a week with her Connacht interprovincial team, playing a match at the weekend, and completing two additional remote training days focused on gym work, running, and strength and conditioning.

Alongside five days of rugby activity, she was attending SLT placement once a week, MSc classes every Friday, working part-time, and fitting in study and assignments.

“It can be a lot to manage, but I’ve become very used to having a structured schedule and making sure I use my time as efficiently as possible,” explains Faith.

“Organisation and time management are probably the two biggest things that help me. I have to plan my week in advance and know exactly when I’m going to train, study, work, and complete assignments.”

She continues: “I try not to leave things until the last minute because I know that if rugby gets particularly busy, I may not have as much time available later in the week.”

Rather than expecting every week to go exactly to plan, Faith has learned the importance of prioritising, adapting when circumstances change, and maintaining open communication with her tutors and placement supervisors.

Navigating Study and Rugby When Commitments Overlap

One of the biggest tests of that approach came when Faith travelled to Croatia for the Rugby Europe Championship, which happened to fall during her exam week.

Her rugby schedule started at around 7am and often continued into the evening, leaving very little free time for study or final assignments during the day.

“I ended up getting up at around 4am or 5am each morning to study and get work done before the rugby day started,” says Faith. “It definitely wasn’t easy, but I was determined to stay on top of everything.”

Communication proved just as important as time management. Faith kept her tutors and examiners informed about her circumstances and, where extensions were required, found them supportive and accommodating.

She reflects: “I think the experience showed me that even when things get extremely busy, being proactive, communicating, and planning ahead can make a big difference.”

Bringing Skills from Rugby into SLT

Pursuing speech and language therapy studies and rugby side by side has shown Faith just how much overlap there is between the two.

“Rugby has taught me a huge amount about discipline, resilience, teamwork, and communication, and I think all of those skills transfer really well into speech and language therapy,” she observes.

Faith adds: “Rugby has also shaped how I respond to setbacks. Whether that’s a difficult game, an injury, or something that doesn’t go the way you planned, you have to learn from it and keep moving forward.

“When I find something challenging in the course, I’m much more likely to see it as something I need to work through rather than something that should discourage me.”

Representing Ireland on the International Stage

Faith is now preparing for another major milestone after being selected to compete for Ireland at the FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championships in South Africa this September.

“It means a huge amount to me,” she shares. “Being selected to represent Ireland on an international stage is a massive achievement and something I’m incredibly proud of.”

For Faith, the opportunity carries added significance because it highlights what she achieved so far across both rugby and postgraduate study.

She explains: “I’m very proud to be representing Ireland, but I’m also proud of the journey that has allowed me to continue progressing in rugby while completing such an intensive master’s programme.

“I’m really looking forward to travelling to South Africa and discovering a new country and culture with my teammates.

“Hopefully, I’ll come away from the experience with some great memories, new friendships, and a lot of learning both on and off the pitch.”

As training intensifies ahead of the championships, Faith is planning her academic work carefully around her rugby commitments.

“Portobello Institute’s continued flexibility and understanding around those commitments will be the biggest support, while still helping me stay accountable and on track academically,” Faith notes.

“I’m very committed to both sides, so my aim is to represent Ireland to the best of my ability while continuing to progress with the MSc.”

Where Rugby and SLT Go Next

Faith hopes to continue pushing herself in rugby and competing at the highest level she can for as long as possible. Alongside that, her long-term professional goal is clear: to qualify as a speech and language therapist and build a career where she can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

“I think the MSc will give me the clinical knowledge, practical experience, and confidence I need to make that transition into the profession,” she says. “I’m excited to see where the qualification takes me.”

For anyone wondering whether postgraduate study can coexist with another significant commitment, Faith’s advice is to recognise the work involved without automatically assuming that one ambition has to be sacrificed for another.

“With good organisation, communication, and the right support, it is possible to work towards your career goals while continuing to pursue other things that matter to you,” says Faith.

She adds: “Portobello has offered me a realistic way to progress towards becoming a speech and language therapist while still allowing me to continue with rugby and my other commitments.

“The experiences I’ve had in both rugby and SLT have shaped the type of professional I want to become.”

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