Spark Amy's Journey to Bulgaria

My name is Amy Mills and I am a student, a 19 year old daughter, a sister and at the moment most importantly a New Zealand rower.

My recent selection into the New Zealand U23 2015 team has been exciting and motivating. Not only have I realised that I am capable of reaching my short term goals, I have realised that I can also rise to the challenge of my long term goals. My dream along with many other talented athletes is to represent New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympic Games. With my U23 selection I believe that this dream could also become a reality. I am about to embark on an adventure, a journey of some kind.

The funds that I raise with your help will go towards the athlete contribution to the trip which is $7500 anything over and above this will go towards a new single scull ($15000) that arrives in November will enable me to be even more competitive on the water next summer as I head into another National Championships and subsequent selection trial.

I have been rowing for now 8 years, I started at age 13 at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland. I won my first National title in the U17 coxed quad in 2012 for my school and was fortunate enough to be named rower of the year 4 out of my 5 seasons at Dio. After my last season at school I decided that I still had some unfinished business with this crazy sport. Through my club, Auckland Rowing Club I joined an athlete development programme known as Blues before being selected to represent Auckland at a regional level, rowing for Auckland Rowing's Regional Performance Centre.

I then moved to Christchurch where I attend the University of Canterbury and am currently studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce. My hall of residence was Rochester and Rutherford Hall where I was encouraged and supported to keep up my rowing. My time at R&R was full on balancing my high level sport, studies and being President of The R&R student body and having as much fun as possible before 9pm ! This experience taught me how important balance is in life. This same year I was selected to represent New Zealand at a trans- Tasman competition in Penrith, Sydney for the NZ U21 Team. I gained four gold medals through out this two part competition series.

This year I gained 1 bronze, 3 silvers and 1 gold at the recent National Rowing Championships which set up a strong foundation for a trial and then selection into the 2015 New Zealand U23 team as part of the coxless quad. My crew mates are Lexi Kerr, Hannah Bailey and Samantha Voss, we are a young but determined crew who are ready to take on the world in July.

So now the next phase of my life is about to start which involves moving up to Cambridge for the winter to train alongside the best rowers in the world. Throughout the winter I will be competing in a series of smaller winter regattas at Lake Karapiro before heading off to the World U23 championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in July.

The adventure that is forming in front of me is both exciting and expensive for both myself and my family. The funds that I raise will go towards the expense of the trip.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to support me in making my dreams become reality and I do hope to make you proud in both the near and far future. I know many of you have been interested in my rowing or have been involved more closely or you may know someone or an organisation who would be keen to support me.

When I pull on my black row suit with the silver fern over my heart it will be all of you who helped make it happen and for this I thank you. And I promise you I will row as fast as I can.

Many thanks,

Amy