A little bit about where you’re from in Northland and how your sporting journey began?

I grew up in Kensington, Whangārei, and the Northland Hockey turf was essentially my second home from the age of five. I came up through the representative ranks from the Under 11s right through to the Senior Men’s team. Northland was the foundation of everything—it's where the passion started, watching my dad play and always having a stick in my hand.

What has it meant to you to represent Northland in your sport?

While I spent time playing for North Harbour when I moved away for study, the most important decision I made was to return home to Northland to play with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. Representing my home province had an instrumental impact on my focus, performance, and ultimately led to my selection for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Rio Olympics. It proved that playing for where you are from can fuel your biggest achievements.

What does it mean to have local support from the likes of the Kauri Club to have assisted your sporting journey?

For non-professional athletes aspiring to the national scene, the financial barriers—especially for essential travel and competition—are massive. The Kauri Club funding I received was extremely beneficial in making that commitment possible, particularly supporting the constant travel required between Auckland, where I was living and studying, and Northland. This early-stage financial support is absolutely crucial for athletes paving their way forward.

What would you say to younger athletes in Northland who dream of following in your footsteps?

My message to you is this: If you do leave the region for study or work, returning to play for your home province is one of the best decisions you can make for your future. It brings you back to the core 'why' you started playing the game, helps you stay grateful and grounded, and fosters the resilience needed to succeed, especially as opportunities can be fewer than in a larger region. This commitment to Northland is what keeps the quality of sport high here and helps inspire the next generation. Finally, regardless of your specific goal, write it down, find an image of it (like a gold medal or a specific jersey), and put it up on your wall. Look at that vision every morning and every night. Your mind can achieve amazing things when you give it a clear focus from a young age!

Article added: Wednesday 29 October 2025