Soon after graduating from St Hilda’s in 2015 I received a basketball scholarship to study and play at Gillette College (a Junior College), Wyoming USA for a year and a half, and then I moved on to Eckerd College (a Division 2) in St Petersburg, Florida, to continue my studies and play for the Eckerd Tritons Women's team, also on a basketball scholarship. Flash forward four and half years later and I have just graduated with my BA in Communication with 2 minors in Psychology and Theatre at Eckerd College.
Attending college in the US for the last 4 years has been the most amazing opportunity and experience. I have been able to meet some amazing people from all around the world, visit some incredible places, play the sport I love, while studying for my degree, all without requiring a student loan. However, I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the determination to reach my dreams that St Hilda’s impressed upon me. Attending high school at St Hilda’s also encouraged the importance of having the skill of time management, which is vital when juggling classes, homework and long basketball practices and games.
Last year when I came home from America I received the call up from the New Zealand Tall Ferns to travel away to Japan and Taiwan. We played in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan, in which we placed second. This was such an amazing opportunity and I felt so honoured to be representing my country for the first time. Currently, I continue to be named in the Tall Ferns wider squad training for the World Cup in 2022.
I am now looking towards obtaining a professional basketball contract overseas, however due to Covid-19 this has been put on hold. In the meantime, I am working part time for Basketball Otago and as an assistant teacher at an Early Childhood Centre, which enables me to fit in my own personal trainings. I also helped coach the St Hilda’s Senior A basketball team this season.
