Oli's commitment paying off
Put the word ‘commitment’ into a search engine and the first item that comes up is a picture of Oli Henwood. Well, possibly not, though maybe it ought to be.
Oli is in year 13 at Burnside High School, where before and after classes he coaches or co-coaches several of the school’s junior korfball teams. When not playing for the Christchurch East district team during Mixx events, he is involved in coaching the younger players, or refereeing. Then of course Oli is in the Mixx NZ U19 team heading to Taiwan, as well as being a non-traveling reserve in the New Zealand U21 squad preparing for the Asia Oceania U21 Championship in August.
How does he manage all that, plus working six to ten hours a week, and his academic studies, where he is aiming high to reach a challenging career goal? We asked him.
How long have you played korfball, and what motivates you to commit so much time and energy to it?
I have played korfball at Mixx since 2022, and I can say with absolute confidence that is it the best thing I have ever done. Mixx has helped me with my korfball skills, which also has translated to other sports, and set me on a great path to hopefully make a national team. Mixx has also massively boosted my confidence as the opportunities and experiences I have been given while at Mixx have been the best of my life.
What are your future goals, both academically and in korfball?
I’m thinking about a gap year next year, then studying to become a pilot. In korfball, I want to make the New Zealand senior team in the next five years.
Describe a typical week, balancing school and your korfball commitments.
Monday morning, I wake up at six to be at school at seven, where I train one of the Burnside junior korfball teams before school. From school I go straight to work. I have three shifts per week as Cowles Stadium duty manager, looking after the equipment and cleaning the stadium. Then I go straight to New Zealand U21 training. Tuesday after school I train another of the Burnside junior teams. Wednesday, I help train the Mixx Christchurch East juniors, then join the Mixx U21 training. Thursday evening is work. Friday evening I’m at Nga Punawai for the Mixx Secondary Schools League, either coaching the Burnside junior teams, or playing, or refereeing. I have work at Cowles on Saturday, then Sunday is my day off, unless there is a training camp for either the U19s or the U21s.
With so many commitments, how do you manage your time?
Succeeding academically while being an international athlete is my goal. I stay focused on that. Although it’s difficult to manage, I just have to find a way. I make sure I take advantage of my study periods and whatever free time I have to get schoolwork done.
What effect does being so busy have on your social life?
For the most part, my mates are great at encouraging me to keep training, and plenty of them are involved in korfball anyway, of course.
How does your family fit in?
My mum is my biggest supporter, especially keeping me on task to make sure I keep up with my schoolwork.
What about your teachers?
Some of my teachers are brilliant. My chemistry teacher and my food teacher, Mr. Mansfield and Ms Hanley, are amazing, and great at encouraging me to stay on top of it. They understand that I have commitments, and they make allowances with deadlines. I usually manage to hand in the work on time.
What advice would you give to other young korfballers trying to balance school and their korfball commitments?
Keep playing hard, train hard, and work hard towards your goals, both in sport and outside sport. You have to put the work in to do well at sport, though unless you are really fortunate, it is probably not going to provide you with a career. Therefore, you need to study hard as well, get the grades and set yourself up for a rewarding job. Even if korfball doesn’t end up paying the bills, the more you put in, the more you will get back, and it will give you the best experiences you can have.
Oli Henwood: on a mission, and crushing it.