Telfer has busy schedule ahead

It is a new year filled with new challenges for Whangarei athlete Sian Telfer, but the 18-year-old is up whatever life throws her way.
After completing Year 13 at Whangarei Girls High School last year, Telfer is moving to Auckland next month to start a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at AUT on the North Shore.
But along with her busy study schedule, which kicks off in early March, comes a hectic sporting programme for the Asics all rounder prize at the 2010 ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sports Awards.
Most recently, Telfer was named in the New Zealand under 20 women's basketball team to compete at the 2011 Australian under 20 State Championships, in Maitland, New South Wales, from February 17-27.
Telfer made the NZ under 18 team last year, but they did not end up travelling to the tournament due to the high cost involved.
"At this stage I'm going - there's definitely a team travelling this year ... I'm just trying to sort out uni, all my sporting commitments - and finances at the moment," she said.
"A reason for not going would be the cost ... the week away costs $3000 and we have to pay for it ourselves as Basketball New Zealand do not fund this team, it's pretty pricey."
However, making the trip across the ditch would be highly beneficial to the players, as the State competition was very strong and would provide a good start to the season ahead, Telfer said.
Besides international duties, Telfer has been training with North Harbour Under-21s in time for the national tournament week in May.
Added to this, she was included in the Under-21 Counties Manukau Women's Touch team - adding another string to her sporting bow. "We head to Christchurch for the national tournament in March - just after Uni starts so it shouldn't take up too much study time," she said.
Last year's WGHS Premier Netball Grade centre said she will be playing netball in the North Shore Premier Netball Competition this winter, and has club trials coming up at the end of the month.
"Ideally I'd like to make the Collegiate club team, they are one of the top three clubs in the North Shore competition," she said.
Telfer's mother Dee coached WGHS premier grade last year and will continue to do so this year.
"My younger sister Jade, who is 15, is playing in the premier grade this year, so mum will keep coaching," Telfer said.