Hi, I am Taya, a 12 year old basketballer from Wellington achieving great things! I would appreciate your support in achieving my basketball goals!

 

Here is my story..

 

In Year 6, I started playing in a small team, for my school. Having never played before and able to use my height as an advantage, I learned how to dribble and shoot, the sport became good fun! Half way through Year 7 my family relocated to Wellington. It was a challenge to restart my basketball journey again, with new friends and coaches. Since then, I have worked really hard to improve my skills and basketball IQ, to raise my game to the same level as my peers.

I am a head and shoulders above my peers, which is tough to deal with at my age. However, basketball has given me the opportunity to be proud about my height. It has made me feel more confident about being tall and at 182.8cms (6ft), now I want to get even taller!

My biggest achievements:

I have been selected to attend Basketball New Zealand’s U14’s national talent programme in April this year.

Representing Wellington in the 2017 U13’s girls regional tournament, where we were runners up!

My biggest goal:

To make basketball my career – to play, to coach, to referee.

On my way, I am aiming to represent my region and country at a national and international level.

Now I am starting that journey and have been selected to play for an U14’s girls basketball invitational team, travelling to compete in the Melbourne Tigers Tournament, in July. I have also been chosen to represent the Capital Zone at this year’s U15’s basketball nationals in Auckland. Unfortunately, these tournaments are just a month apart and both have large costs. Therefore, any help and support you can offer would be deeply appreciated.

I really want to compete in Melbourne and show the Australian teams how a 12 year old from Wellington plays ball!