YEAR OF BIRTH: 1993

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Lower Hutt/North Shore

OCCUPATION: Medical Imaging Technologist - Radiographer

EDUCATION: UNITECH - Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)

NICKNAME: Sarah Smart

CLUB: North Harbour

PREFERRED CAP NUMBER: 6

POSITION: Utility

YEARS IN SENIOR WOMEN'S TEAM: Two

 

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

Time management is important, wallplanners are your friend. Get enough sleep and you will have to put some social life aside - 'priorities'.

 

When did you start playing water polo?

Year Four primary school flippa ball. Year 6 I starting playing polo and began training with my older brother's squad.

 

What is your favourite water polo memory at home?

Playing for the Harbour Senior team and winning National League four years in a row!

 

What has been your international water polo highlight?

Singing the national anthem in my first game at World Champs in Barcelona 2013. I felt like all the hard work had paid off.

 

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

5:12am! I think - "I better get up...if I want to be fast I better go swim!"

 

Tell us your favourite go-to pre-match pump up jam.

Pusher Love Girl - Justin Timberlake.

 

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

I want women's water polo to be fully funded in New Zealand. My goal is to represent New Zealand at the highest level possible...2020 Olympics would be insane.

 

What is the biggest barrier for you playing water polo?

Financial - lack of sponsorship. It's really difficult working fulltime and training fulltime and getting burnt out trying to make ends meet.

 

What has New Zealand Water Polo given you personally?

I am a very committed person - in polo, friendships, relationships, university, work. If I say I will be there I will make time and turn up. I have learnt time management, organisation, and teamwork.

 

Favourite quotes?

"The harder you work, the luckier you get."

"Don't half a** anything. Whatever you do always use your full a**."