Rina Watt; Small Town. Big Dreams

Growing up in the Maniototo, I started playing ice hockey when I was 9 years old and ever since it has been my dream to play for the Ice Fernz, the National New Zealand Women's Ice Hockey Team. Training on a highly weather-dependant outdoor skating rink in Naseby, I have finally worked my way up to national level hockey.

The selection process hasn't been easy. After acing my fitness tests and performance on the ice at the previous trial in 2018, I was later struck with a severe ankle injury that took me out of play for a year and my first chance with the Fernz. Now 19 years old, I finally have that chance after being in a moon boot for 8 weeks, studying in my first year of University, and recovering from a concussion that resulted from a rear-end car crash. This trip to play at the 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championships has been the result of overcoming my challenges in 2019.

I am currently working in two jobs to also help fund my second year of Uni. Any assistance towards my trip would be a massive help and ease some stress. I cannot thank those enough who have contributed so far. With University workload increasing, this is likely one of my last few representative trips.

I believe it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to travel to a wonderful country like Iceland, and to represent my country there would be one of the proudest moments of my life.

Tournament begins on the 23rd of February and will end on the 29th. We will be departing New Zealand on the 18th of February and returning on the 2nd of March. (Just in time to catch up with my studies!).

We are playing in Division II of the World Championhips and are aiming for gold in this year's campaign.