I’m 47 now, but let me take you back to when I was 13 and sprinting over hurdles like nobody’s business. I smashed the New Zealand Under 18 Women’s hurdle record—yep, a national record at 13! And guess what? It’s still standing today.
Being a young athlete was a wild ride. My mum was my biggest cheerleader, but it wasn’t easy for my parents. Getting me to multiple training sessions per week, driving to competitions around New Zealand and even hopping on planes to events in places like Australia, Jakarta and Singapore. Those international trips were the best—traveling with my team and racing under stadium lights in foreign cities—but they came with a hefty price tag. Flights, accommodation, entry fees, coaching opportunities, and gear like spikes and training kits added up fast. I was lucky; my parents scraped together the cash to make it happen, but it was a stretch. They poured their hearts (and wallets) into getting me to the finish line, and I’m forever grateful.
Not every kid was as fortunate. I remember teammates who got selected for those big international meets but couldn’t go because the airfares and travel costs were just too much. These were super talented kids, bursting with potential, but money stood in their way. It breaks my heart now to think they missed out on experiences that could’ve shaped their futures. As kids we helped out as much as we could doing the athletic club fundraisers like selling Cadbury chocolate bars door-to-door, but it wasn't enough.
That’s why Yaff.io means so much to me. It’s built to help young athletes chase their dreams without the financial roadblocks I saw too many face. Whether it’s funding gear, travel, or competition fees, we’re here to make sure every kid with talent gets their shot. Got a sporting journey to fund? Join us, and let’s cross that finish line together!
Oh and back to my record that is still standing 34 years later? It's actually not because I’m some untouchable legend (though, I had my moments!), but because they changed the hurdle race distance a few years after. So my record’s locked in forever, untouchable by design! 🤣
