Superleague superfan

18/08/2010 10:10:00 a.m.

Well Dunn.

REGIONAL Superleague Finals competitor Olivia Dunn is a huge Silver Ferns fan.
She goes to all their Wellington games, her favourite players are Temepara George and Grace Rasmussen, and she hopes to play for the team one day.
So it was a dream come true when she was named in the Wellington National Provincial Champions (NPC) squad which led to her meeting her heroes.
“It was an incredible experience. My classmates were so happy, they kept asking ‘how tall’ or ‘how fast’ the Ferns were,” the 17 year old says.
“The main thing I took from meeting the Ferns was when they said, ‘you can achieve success if you believe in your ability’. They were so nice, I was star struck, and I couldn’t stop smiling.”
The Wellington East Girls College student has a full schedule. When Capital Times called this week she had to delay the interview an hour due to a football semi-final penalty shootout.
The Year 13 student says it’s a challenge juggling sport and study.
“It’s about finding a balance. I get a lot of support from my parents and coaches and I’m really grateful for this. I would like to go professional but if not, I feel if I keep pushing myself I can play at a good standard,” she says.
This week Dunn will compete in the Regional Superleague Netball Finals.
But first her Pacific Island Community (PIC) team faces rivals Wellington East in the semi-final stage. She says PIC has a good chance of reaching the grand final and retaining the title.
“I feel really privileged to play at this stage. The opposition is of such a high calibre, however in previous years our teams have done well and we had high expectations to achieve success.
“I love playing in this team. We have a good balance of players who were involved with last year’s championship team and some good additions,” she says.
Dunn comes from a sporting family. Her granddad was a competitive runner who represented New Zealand, her uncle played football and gymnastics regionally, her mum was a gymnast and her dad represented the Wellington Basketball team.
Regional Super League Finals, including Dunn’s PIC team, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua, 1pm, August 22.

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

From police to employers chamber
JOHN Wills has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Employers Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), effective immediately.
Save the Rhino
A concert this weekend features local performers including Jomba, Skapiti, and Siggy. It is part of an international awareness day to support the petition to the South African government to stop rhino poaching. The Waterfront, Marine Parade, Raumati Beach, 11 February.
Jazzy clouds
The first performance of jazz musician Mike Nock’s choral work Land of the Long White Cloud will be sung by the Orpheus Choir at Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 18 February. It’s a free concert and only expected to last about 10minutes.
On board
CONRAD Smith, the new Hurricanes captain has rejoined the team after an extended RWC break, in time for the sellout pre-season game at Managatainoka this Saturday.
Share the vision, free
SIR Paul Callaghan a trustee of Zealandia, formerly the Karori bird sanctuary will give a talk about the vision and importance of the sanctuary for New Zealand. Rutherford House lecture theatre1, 5.40pm, February 13.
Indian art money
MORE than a dozen locals are showing and selling their art, at that well known art space, Betty’s Bar on Blair St, to fundraise for the Karunai Dhan primary school in India. From 5pm, February 10.
Star signs
INTERNATIONAL astrologer Faye Cossar, a former Wellingtonian is visiting the city to conduct workshops and a public talk. Cossar is unusual in that she holds a Masters degree in astrology. February 14.
The Great Outdoors
GREATER Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme continues this week with a daughter, mother, grandmother mountain bike ride at Belmont Regional Park on February 12 and an evening guided walk from East Harbour Regional Park on February 8.
Swimming challenge
SWIMMERS looking for a challenge can take up the long-distance summer swim challenge at Wellington City Council pools.
Participants have until April 30 to swim or aquajog 53 kilometres, the distance equivalent to doing a circuit of Lake Mead in Nevada.
The distance covered is recorded by pool staff and there are spot prizes along the way.
On your skates
SOME of the world’s best skaters are in town for Bowl-a-Rama 2012, a week long celebration of skateboard culture.
The competition is at Waitangi Skate Park on February 11, but there are additional events throughout from February 8 to 12, including an art exhibition by local and international skateboarders at 15 Courtenay Place.
Safer outdoors
A new website has been created to make planning for safe outdoor activities easier.
AdventureSmart,org.nz provides safety information and support for those planning land, snow, water, boating and air activities.
Sommerfest
SOMMERFEST, Wellington’s family-friendly food and beer festival, takes place in the Worser Bay Boating Club on February 26.
The annual festival offers a range of boutique beers matched with great food tastes.
Breaking with tradition this year there will also be margaritas from 5pm.

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