Our Student Athlete of the Week is back, and this week's winner is a newly-crowned National champion.

What teams/squads have you represented in the past year?

• NZ Under 17 NARCH squad that competed in Los Angeles in January.

• HBHS NZSS squad.

• Hamilton Devils Under 16.

• North Island Central Region Under 16.

• Knights team for Kiwi Inline Hockey league.

• Mana Cup All Stars (pacific series winners) Kiwi Inline Hockey league.

What is your top achievement in your chosen area?Representing New Zealand at the North American Winter nationals and making it to the semi finals.

What is your favourite moment representing HBHS? 

Captaining HBHS to a New Zealand Secondary Schools National title in the past weekend, with the win coming in the last 40 seconds! Lifting the cup with the boys and hearing all the supporters cheering filled me with enjoyment and gaining the Tournament MVP award only added to the experience.

How long have you been playing your sport?

This will be my 10th year.

What made you take up the sport?

I saw family friends Jeremy and Brian Ashdown (who both went on to represent HBHS and win the NZSS title numerous times) playing inline in their driveway when I was 6 and thought it would be an exciting sport to join.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the sport?

The physicality of the sport as I move into the older grades with good speed and power needed to be a top player.

What is the most rewarding part of the sport for you?

The opportunities available to be able to play at a high level and travel overseas to represent New Zealand in places such as Los Angeles, Hawaii and Australia.

What are you most looking forward to in your sport this year?

Working towards achieving a National title for the Hamilton Devils at club Nationals in October.

What is your advice to young students looking to excel in your sport?

Focus on skating and fitness skills as they are the building blocks for being a top player, other skills will follow along.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I hope to represent New Zealand at the World Inline Hockey Championships in 2026 in the Under 21 grade, and possibly the 2028 Olympics if inline hockey gets introduced.