Mixx star Rosie Smith is about to take off on her latest exciting korfball mission

Rosie Smith is a Mixx star. Captain of East, she is also the coach of Selwyn and coached both the Mixx NZ U13 and U15 2024/25 representative squads. About to fly to China as assistant coach of the New Zealand U21 squad, while also preparing to continue her career as a New Zealand senior korfball representative in Australia in September… alongside her job as a teacher at Russley Primary School… we recently checked in with Rosie to see how it’s all going

At the IKF 2025 Asia Oceania U21 Korfball Championship, New Zealand’s draw, in a pool with Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan, offers some interesting challenges. How do you think the tournament will go?

New Zealand has had close matches with three of those teams in recent tournaments. This time around it could go well for us, or it could go badly, and the other teams are in the same position. When we made plans early in the campaign, our main goal for the tournament is to play good korfball.

We are capable of playing to a high standard. We need to qualify for next year’s World Championship, though a higher goal is within reach. We need to show that we are united.

We’ve worked hard over the last six months, particularly on fitness and team bonding. The time the team has on court is where we have the chance to show that.

Who in the U21 squad should we look out for?

I could speak about every player. They are all amazing individuals, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.

Two have faced horrible family challenges in the last few months. They have both stood up strong in the face of awful times at home, and used the situation they are each in to ignite themselves and go to the next level as players. I’m so proud of both of them.

Also, just to mention three at random, Charlie Mooar has been exceptional, building himself as a leader. He brings excellent values and is good at bringing his four together. For Emma Todd, after missing out on selection in the past, this is her first opportunity to go overseas. She has been waiting for this and has blossomed in her game, working into challenging for a place in the starting eight. Even though she doesn’t have international experience the way most of her teammates do, she has shown us just how determined she is. Then Emma Hoskins, coming into the squad as a late inclusion after initially being a non-traveling reserve. She has transitioned so well into that role, working so hard, particularly on her mental game, which will stand her in good stead in China.

Tom Donaldson is the U21 coach, you are assistant coach – how is the relationship between the two of you?

Tom and I have been friends for about eight years, so we know each other well. We are used to being teammates, playing together for New Zealand, which makes our friendship special. We are more like brother and sister than just friends.

Although we’ve had ups and downs through the campaign, based on communication, honesty, and trust we make a good combination. Ultimately the trust is what fuels our decisions. Even when we don’t always agree, we know how to work well together, recognise when we’re having a bad day, and put that behind us.

We’ve worked hard to extend that trust through to the U21 squad as well. We know the players value what we say, though as a group we haven’t fully tested the trust between us yet. Trust comes from making mistakes together. Although I’m sure that will happen in China, we haven’t had the opportunity to make many mistakes so far, so haven’t had the chance for that trust to build as much as I'm sure it will.

How do you juggle coaching korfball and working in your day job?

I love introducing new players to korfball. The opportunity to be part of their initial journey is such a privilege.

I teach year seven and eight children so understand what that age group is like, both in and out of the classroom. That makes coaching players around that age really fulfilling. They are always learning, and so am I. We have a lot of laughs, and I am amazed to see the progress they make.

With the U21s, it’s different. While the graph of their progress is not so steep, at this age these players are able to lead their own learning. Tom’s job and my job is to guide that. Although there are small niggles on the way through, they know what works for them, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do together.

All the squads I’ve coached have so much mana and work so hard towards a common goal. I enjoy seeing boys working with girls, and vice versa, which is unique to korfball and has so many positive benefits that mainstream sports can’t match.

Follow the progress of Rosie and the New Zealand team at the IKF U21 AOKC in Leshan, China, from 30 July to 6 August, here.