YEAR OF BIRTH: 1988

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Lower Hutt

OCCUPATION: Primary School Teacher

EDUCATION: Hartwick College, USA & Victoria University, Wellington

NICKNAME: Kirk

CLUB: Hutt

PREFERRED CAP NUMBER: 11

POSITION: Lefty

YEARS IN SENIOR WOMEN'S TEAM: Ten

 

How do you manage to juggle work, study, training, social life etc./any wise words for aspiring water polo players?

Have a plan. Making sure my week is timed out and planned properly. Asking for help from parents and teammates.

 

When did you start playing water polo?

Hutt club with my family, started playing at the age of 12.

 

What is your favourite water polo memory at home?

Winning numerous schoolgirls titles during 2001-2005 and especially winning schoolgirls nationals in 2005.

 

What has been your international water polo highlight?

Beating Russia at Junior Worlds in 2007 to make top 8.

 

What time does your alarm go off in the morning and what gets you out of bed?

"I'm late" - training starts at 5:00am. Time to start again.

 

What's on your iPhone musicwise? Tell us your favourite go-to pre-match pump up jam.

It's on shuffle, so depends what comes on. If it's not good it gets 'nexted'.

 

What are you looking to accomplish in water polo? Why do you play?

I play because I still can and I am still having fun. My goal is to train hard to help my team to win and gain a high ranking in the world. I want to make top 6.

 

What is the biggest barrier for you playing water polo?

Being one of the only players left in Wellington, so I need to motivate myself. Managing a busy work schedule with training takes a mental toll.

 

What has New Zealand Water Polo given you personally?

I have been able to travel around the world and play in different countries. It has made me into a determined person and to work hard in order to achieve what I want.

 

Favourite quotes?

"No pain, no gain."