A former Botany Downs Secondary College student will have the opportunity to represent her culture after being selected in the New Zealand Māori Senior Women’s Football team.
Steph Trowill of the Ngāti Pikiao iwi from Rotorua is part of the 20-strong side that will take on the Australian Indigenous side in three international matches across Queensland from July 1 to July 7.
Trowill says it is a great honour to be given the opportunity to represent her Māori culture.
“This opportunity not only allows me to showcase my ability as a footballer, but also presents a platform to promote and celebrate the rich traditions, values and history of the Māori people,” she says.
This is a historic moment for Māori Football Aotearoa, which was started by Phil Pickering-Parker in 2008, as it marks the organisation’s first overseas series.
“It is an opportunity to hopefully inspire future generations and instil a sense of pride and belonging in Māori youth, encouraging them to embrace their cultural heritage and pursue their dreams with passion and determination,” Trowill says.
This is the second time Trowill has been selected for the side, previously playing in the inaugural campaign against the Australian Indigenous in 2018. Back then, it was only a one game series, which the New Zealand Māori Women won 5-0.
“What Māori Football Aotearoa is doing as an organisation is huge. They are creating opportunities and pathways for talented Māori, especially our young up and coming Māori, which has been seen in other sporting codes such as Rugby and Rugby League for many years,” says Trowill.
The 20-strong team is full of Māori talent from across New Zealand and even a couple of players based in Australia.
But Trowill says this trip goes beyond just playing Football and is a chance for players to come together and embrace their Māori Whakapapa and culture.
“Football has the power to bring people together from diverse backgrounds and it will be great to connect and learn,” she says.
Following the international tour in Australia, Māori Football Aotearoa will have Youth U18 teams competing against Hawaii in Auckland.
This is Trowill’s second season back after succumbing to a foot injury in 2014 which prompted three separate surgeries in 2016, 2018 and 2021.
She formerly represented the New Zealand Secondary School Girls’ team in 2013 and played National League Football for Auckland. Trowill now plays for Central United in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship.
“It was a long and tough eight years both mentally and physically during that period of injury and operations. It is honestly an absolute relief to be walking and running around pain free again.
“My main goal now is to just enjoy the sport for what it is. Enjoy being able to take to the field with mates and play the game I love and not take it, or anything, for granted,” she says.
