Help Alison get to Tokyo for Junior World Rowing Championships 2019

Kia Ora!

My name is Alison Mills and I've recently been selected to compete at the Junior World Rowing Championships in August 2019. I'll be racing down Sea Forest Waterway in Japan come August in the womens cox less four. As of June 2nd we'll all be relocating to St Peters Cambridge for 2 months to continue with schooling whilst training together.

I'm absolutely honoured to be able to represent my country as it's always been a long term goal of mine since little year 9 Ali started rowing. My journey started in 2015 at Hamilton Girls High School and from then on I've had the privilege of various coaches and team members. With a small squad in U15 it was all about learning, from travelling down to Twizel being my first time in a plane it was a huge stepping stone with our U15 coach Jared Capon putting on the hard yards. U16 saw to it's own challenges with the same small squad we worked together to accomplish bronze in our four at NISS coached by Taylor Jacobs and Jared Capon. Narrowly missing another bronze at Maadi in our U16 double because of an unfortunate crab at 100m to go.

U17 was a milestone, an even smaller squad to set out led to my first single race. This season was tough for us as a tiny squad with different coaches and members we were in for the ride. This season had to have been my most rewarding, I had managed to medal bronze in U17 single at NISS and had made the U18 North Islands squad.

I decided to make the move of schools for my last year, moving to St. Paul's Collegiate has to be one of the best decisions I've made thus far. I had moved to improve my education whilst still keeping fit with a good rowing program. It was a big move that I've adjusted to easily with the amount of good people and have found SPC rowing to be an incredible culture to be apart of. Martin Sciollian coached the girls squad through to Maadi and I managed to medal silver at NISS in our U18 double.

As you probably noticed, I've never medalled at Maadi. This is something very unique I'd say, for me to even make the selections without medalling was a huge achievement. I'm extremely grateful for everyone that has supported me on my journey, from coaches, teammates, parents and teachers alike I'm vastly appreciative; and it's only the start.

Now, this is all exciting but it does mean that I need to prepare for the workload. Unfortunately, everything comes at a cost, altogether the experience comes to approx. $10,000 hence why I'm seeking aid to fund this amazing opportunity.

Any help is appreciated and just reading this is enough for me!

Thank you so much,

Alison <3