DOB: 26/01/1989

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Auckland

OCCUPATION: Teacher

NICKNAME: Nic

CLUB: Marist

PREFERRED CAP NUMBER: 2

POSITION: Centre forward

YEARS IN SENIOR WOMEN'S TEAM: Six

 

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

Organise time ensuring there's a balance between work and training. You need to look at your priorities and what you need to do to achieve your goal.

 

When did you start playing water polo?

Year 7 at Diocesan School. My grandpa and aunty played for New Zealand too.

 

What is your favourite water polo memory at home?

2006 - winning schoolgirls nationals for Dio and 2011 winning National League and the National League Shield for Marist.

 

What has been your international water polo highlight?

Standing with my team mates during team announcements and line ups, singing the national anthem at world championships in Barcelona and Kazan. That feeling of being on the world stage and having pride for your country, team mates and yourself along with passion we all have for the game is the ultimate highlight.

 

When your alarm goes off at 5:30 in the morning, what gets you out of bed?

Wanting to be the best for our team.

 

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

Jamming to "Cheerleader" with Curnow is also a good pump up, but usually anything upbeat, super 'pop' in the current top 10 hits. "The Worlds's Greatest", "Eye of the Tiger" and "I Believe" are also classic winners.

 

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

I play because I love the competitive nature of the game, achieving something great after all the training to put yourself through and pushing myself physically and mentally. I always want to get better, learn more and be better than I was yesterday.

 

What is the biggest barrier for you playing water polo?

- Lack of sponsorship for a national team

- Trying to manage work/training balance

 

What has New Zealand Water Polo given you personally?

A drive to succeed, passion, and competitiveness. It has given me opportunities to travel the globe and live and play abroad in Frace, and has opened me up to global cultures.

You spend so much time with your teammates you become a close family. You work together through challenges and find motivation for each other.

 

What are your aspirations for Olympic Qualifiers in Gouda?

Qualify for Rio!!! How amazing would that be. But if not, it's a really important stepping stone for our team, having exposure to world class teams and being competitive internationally for the build up for World League next year, making top 10 at World Champs in 2017 and then of course qualifying for 2020 Olympics in Japan. 

 

Favourite quotes?

"Today, you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you." - Dr. Seuss