East Auckland footballer Steph Trowill has returned to field after an injury limited her appearances over the past five seasons.
After getting inconclusive diagnosis from doctors, the source of her long-term injury was finally discovered to be an unhealed broken bone and tendon damage. Towards the end of 2018, Steph’s ankle was operated on again and after a lay-off, she was back doing what she does best.
After initially gaining selection for the New Zealand Maori Women’s side in 2018, a team that thrashed trans-Tasman rivals Australia Mariya (Australian First Nation) 5-0, Steph has once again been selected for the Maori XI in 2020, to play Mariya again on January 18,in Auckland.
Steph spent five years in the Botany College first XI, made the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2013 and first played national league football for Auckland the same year.
She is looking forward to the challenge on getting on the field, and putting her skills to the test for her “first full season back playing the game I love in 5 years!”
Here’s hoping she can stay injury-free and prove her mettle at the elite level for many years to come.