Help Me To Represent New Zealand On The World Stage In Rowing

My name is Matthew Mesman and I need your help to allow me to represent New Zealand in Rio De Janeiro.

I have recently been selected into the New Zealand Junior Rowing Team to compete in the Men’s quadruple sculls event at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Rio De Janeiro which will take place in August.The athlete trip contribution is $7500 therefore this is my target.

For me making the junior team was a culmination of a year of training as a high performance athlete with the Southern Regional Performance Centre.

I am a proud ex Cashmere High School student and 2014 was the first time my school went to secondary schools nationals and was also my first season. I got into rowing because quite simply it’s addictive and I love it. I was between sports and saw it in the school notices so a mate and I decided to give it a try.

We worked hard and had a great season topped off with some memorable successes such as becoming south island champions in the novice double.

After nationals I was invited to trial for the South island Under 18 team. Only being a novice rower I was surprised to say the least; I went to trials expecting nothing but knowing that I was going to work hard and put my best foot forward. I made the team which put me in a good place to train and trial for Southern Regional Performance Centre which is basically one of four squads which NZ reps train and race with during the domestic season.

Being in SRPC has given me a taste for high performance rowing; I thoroughly enjoyed it and I want to continue on this pathway and see how far I can take it.

My competitive nature still drives me to give it my all every training, to push beyond my limits and as my old principal would say to be the best that I can be.

I can think of nothing I would rather do than stand on the podium with my crew, all in black; knowing that I have done my country proud.

Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely

Matthew Mesman