Candice Reed meets the latest star of a family that holds test matches rather than parties
Family gatherings for Rosie Johnston have always meant one thing ... volleyball.
If doesn't matter if it's Boxing Day at Waiwera or birthdays in Auckland, a volleyball net will go up, family members will split into teams and battle will begin.
More often than not it's Rosie's uncle, Nico Ngwun, rounding up the troops.
Ngwun is the New Zealand men's team's assistant coach, South Auckland Volleyball Club coach and secretary, and coaches teams from De La Salle College and Manurewa High School.
Egging on Ngwun is his eldest daughter, Nadia Ngwun, who is a New Zealand representative.
With sporting genes like this, it's little wonder 15-year-old Rosie is enjoying volleyball success.
Despite playing socially since she was a child, Rosie took volleyball seriously only when she started high school 18 months ago. Encouraged by her uncle, Rosie went to trials for the New Zealand under-17 squad. She made the cut, and survived when the 20-strong squad was culled to a team of 12.
In July, she travelled with the national youth team to Melbourne for the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships. New Zealand finished third.
"We expected to do better," says 1.78m Rosie.
"Victoria was the toughest team. We lost to them in the semifinals, 3-1."
Rosie didn't let the disappointment stop her and she recently tried out for the same team to play a five-test series against Australia's under-17 team in Christchurch next month.
Fellow South Aucklander Vaovai Aiono, from Mangere College, also made the team.
"Our coach says we should take them 5-0," Rosie says. Rosie is a mid court player. With her uncle who is also her coach at ManurewaHigh and cousins supporting her, she's motivated and determined to achieve on the court.
Eventually, she wants to join cousin Nadia in the big league.
"She inspires me," Rosie says.
"I'd love to represent my country, too."
But Rosie knows she'll have to be patient and work hard, and she certainly has the support network.
"I have always helped her," Ngwun says. "Sometimes, I don't think she likes me on the sidelines because I push her [but], if she isn't pushed a little then she won't realise her full potential.
"She's certainly got the ability to do it. As she grows into the game she can be there to make the New Zealand team."
The family that plays together
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.