Fundraising to support Martyn O'Leary (Karena) to compete at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships, Netherlands 2016

I started rowing when I was 14, because my mum thought it would be great for my physical well-being, and my dad thought I was too unfit to play a decent game of rugby. The first couple of years of my rowing I became more interested in the sport, however, it wasn't until I turned 16 that I decided I wanted to row for New Zealand. Had it not been for my parent's concern for my fitness, I may not have been here today. Since 16, I have dedicated my time completely to rowing. During school I had been unlucky at my attempts to even gain a selection to trial for a New Zealand team. At 18 I decided that I would take a year overseas to find some perspective and ambition for something outside of rowing. I lived and worked in South Africa for a year, and it was here that I found my ambition to teach. I had not lost my dream to row for New Zealand and I decided while being over there that I would apply to Waikato University. Once I returned to New Zealand, I spent my first season back rowing for the Aramoho Wanganui Club, which I had been a member of for majority of my time in the sport. I was in the worst shape of my life, and struggled my way back to better shape, while juggling full-time work and rowing, before moving to Waikato for University. I joined the Waikato Winter Programme, which was a rowing programme that offered training for aspiring athletes. After a cold and grueling winter, I seriously believed that rowing for New Zealand may be out of my reach, I wasn't convinced that studying full-time and rowing full-time was possible. Somewhere, I found a change of mindset, that put me in a situation, that I was just barely able, to make the Waikato Regional Performance Center. After being in this side for two years, I've had many disappointing moments that for a long-time outweighed the cheerful moments. I had a very rough Rowing Nationals in 2015, and it was point in time that I seriously doubted my ability to row on the World Stage. However, I will reiterate, it has always been a dream of mine to row for New Zealand on the World Stage. Finally this particular goal/dream has been realized. I am very grateful for the support I have been given from friends, family and my parents so far. But I'm asking now for your donation to help me race overseas. I will be attending Rotterdam, Netherlands for the 2016 Under 23 World Rowing Champions and will be racing in late August, in the Men's Under 23 Coxed Four. I really believe that this year, with your help, our team can be very successful. I am asking for your support to help me cover the Athlete contribution costs, which is $7000. Any donation will be greatly appreciated, and will not go unnoticed. For the next few months, we will be training together as a crew out of the Rowing New Zealand High Performance Center, to prepare for the World Stage. Wish me luck!