I have been given the opportunity to go to New Zealand and play rugby union. I am so excited to be able to do something that I love. I started playing rugby in 2023 after playing soccer most of my younger years. I also give athletics a really good shot. I have represented my school in athletics both in primary school and high school at local, ACT and national levels. While I continue with athletics in the background, I find that mountain biking really met my need for extreme sports. Mountain biking I do for fun and have been involved with this for a few competitions but mostly I love this sport for the energy and workout and of course hanging out with mates.

Starting high school there was an option to play rugby. Now this was fun! I took up gymnastics in my younger years and was pretty successful in this. I received awards and was also offered a place on the ACT gymnastics team. I had to make a choice between rugby and gymnastics. For a few reasons I chose rugby.

When I think about it the main reason for this choice was the immense joy I got out of playing rugby with a team. The mates I have made, the community I am now part of and the motivation this brings me - plus I have been known by the ACT Junior Rugby coaches as a teammate that would tackle moving cars! I made the ACT team in 2023 and unfortunately due to injuries (as you could imagine with my love of extreme sports) haven't been up for trialling again. However, I switched focus to rugby and playing in the first division of my club rugby and playing up in 16s in 2025 has been the best - motivating me to get into seniors rugby next year and have a chance to play with my brother. I was also captain for most of the year in 2025. Recieving best clubman and best and fairest award in 2024, and players player in 2025 was very humbling. To be recognised by my teammates in this way is pretty special.

And now here I am being accepted to play rugby in NZ. I was shocked, ecstatic, nervous and so excited to receive the confirmation letter. The funds raised here will be put towards the cost of getting me over to NZ and the cost of the tour. I care about this as like anything in my life so far, I am all in for my team, all in for putting my best self forward - as a teammate, player and community member. I see this opportunity as a chance to represent my school, improve my skills, meet new people with the interest of rugby, make new friends internationally and within Australia - building my rugby community and mateship in this great sport. I see this opportunity gives me a chance to bring back things I learn from this experience into our club in the ACT. I have saved some of the cost already and put some money towards it and would appreciate your support in getting me there. Anything you can afford can help me get there.

So, who am I? I am a young man looking to play a game he loves. I am a young man looking to grow my skill, the game of rugby and my rugby family in representing my teams in this opportunity. I am a young man who will bring back what I learn and contribute back to our rugby community and build our club from this experience. While it may be me going over to NZ, I see that I am representing my club and the game of which I am so proud of.