Description
I have been selected for the New Zealand Secondary School Girls Football Team (NZSSGF) to play in Singapore in September.
However, without financial support, I will not be able to get there!
Hi, I’m Dayna Stevens. I’m 16 years old and I have recently been selected to represent my country in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Girls’ Football Team competing in Singapore.
When I was four years old, I started kicking around a football. I remember my mum let me play for my local football club, Glenfield Rovers and still to this day, I have never looked back. My family and friends have always encouraged me throughout my football journey, especially my mum. The sacrifices and support she has given me are something I want to thank her for and with this opportunity I can show her that her little girl is ready to take that next step forward in football, not only by playing for my country, but also in search for the funds to get there.
I have played for the women’s premier team and further progressed on to playing for the National Women’s Northern squad. I was selected for the National Age Group Tournament in 2016 and play club level and school level football. Football is a fun outlet, I have known this sport my entire life so it is a part of me and it has become who I am and I love that about it. It has taught me to believe in myself more than anything has before.
I am always wanting to better myself with knowledge and skills to achieve my goals and my coaches, teachers, friends, and family have believed in me. This has given me the motivation to want to be successful not only for myself but for them as well.
I remember being selected for the NZ Women’s U20’s, that was the highest selection I had at that point and something I had been working towards. All the hard work and effort, sweat and tears I put into training, made it all worth while. I want that feeling again. However, my biggest achievement to date has to be when I first started playing football and that enticed my mum and brother to play. My Mum went on to become a referee and loves it. I created that sporting pathway for my family – this is one of my proudest achievements!
To make this dream possible, I am needing some support.
I am heading into my final year at high school in 2018 and in making this junior NZ Team, it is one step closer to my ultimate football dream of playing for the New Zealand Football Ferns.
I have various commitments both within and outside of school which include coaching our college football boys first XI, playing college basketball, touch, tag, rugby and even holding the captaincy for our football girl’s side, on top of all of my academic studies. However, my passion truly lies within playing elite level football. These commitments give me no time for any extra work and I coach voluntarily because I love my sport and in giving back. I could hopefully be helping others achieve their goals too.
