Marley is raising funds to Row for New Zealand in Paris

Kia ora e ngā kaipānui

Ko Marley King Smith toku ingoa.

17 years old from the Wakatipu Basin, Queenstown.

Year 13 (7th Form) & Deputy Head Boy at Wakatipu High School.

Student captain at the Whakatipu Rowing Club.

I was recently selected to Row for NZ at the U19 World Junior Championships in Paris on August 1st - 6th, 2023.

I am living away from home for the first time with my team mates at NZ Rowing HQ, Lake Karāpiro until we leave for France July 21st.

This whole deal of representing New Zealand is NOT Cheap.

Whakatipu RC is a small country club that relies on volunteer coaches & parents money, time and energy to compete.

My parents have already invested hugely in many ways over many years to help grow our club and to get me here and they will continue to do so.

NZ Rowing contributes but the hard costs of this campaign for me are approximately NZ$14,000.

There are numerous additional expenses and pressures to deal with such as being away from my home, family, school and regular coach.

I take my academic achievement very seriously which creates extra costs and pressures.

I am humbly asking for financial support from the Queenstown and New Zealand community towards the hard costs of my efforts to represent my whanau, community and country at the highest level of my chosen sport.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini.

I come not with my own strengths but bring with me the gifts, talents and strengths of my family, tribe and ancestors.

Thank you,

Ngā mihi nui

Marley / Mana