Maggie Dowling
The 17-year-old athlete has never shied away from older and more experienced competition.
In fact, she embraces it.
Maggie began luging when she was just 7 in her hometown, Naseby, and immediately fell in love with the thrill of it.
Initially, she found the age difference with her competitors daunting, but now she enjoys beating people older than her.
She was only 13 when she was scouted to represent New Zealand in luging in overseas competitions.
Unfortunately, because of Covid and a lack of funding for smaller countries in the sport, she had to wait nearly half a decade before she competed at the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics this year.
She recently made the switch from luging natural tracks to artificial tracks, which requires her to go even faster, with no brakes.
‘‘If you make a mistake, you have to fix it,’’ she said.
Next year, she was planning on studying at the University of Otago, but was working towards a long-term goal of representing New Zealand at the 2030 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
Achievements
NZ senior luge champion (2021-23); New Zealand Winter Youth Olympics team (luge) Gangwon Korea (2024); 21st in the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics in luge; winner Junior Spirit of Central Award for achievements in luge; rugby 1st XV (2023-24); hockey 2nd XI (2020-23); basketball (2020-24); finalist in the Health 2000 Junior Sportswoman of the Year (2024); Youth World Cup, Germany (2023); Naseby Cup winner (2020-23); NZ women’s luge champion (2020-23); Maadi Cup team (2021-22).
Role model
Luge coach Jack Leslie.
Hopes for the future
Representing New Zealand at the Olympics.
Perri Hore
Rowing was a different story.
This year she was selected for Netball New Zealand’s national development squad.
She had also been playing for the Dunedin under-18 team for the past two years.
She also managed to place third at rowing’s Maadi cup and second in the South Island rowing championships.
She initially signed up to row in year 9 just as a time-filler summer sport, but then fell in love with it.
‘‘It was just something new and such a challenge and the seniors were so supportive.’’
She got used to the 5am starts and getting on the water while her mates were still asleep.
‘‘I can’t say I love it. There is definitely mornings you don’t want to get out of bed but once you’re out it is such a cool reason to get out in the morning.’’
This year she enjoyed connecting with the younger girls coming up through the rowing programme at St Hilda’s.
‘‘It’s really cool to be able to finish and help the junior girls doing the fitness and cheering them on as they finish their races.’’
Becoming the head girl for St Hilda’s this year was a privilege.
She loved working with other people and having an impact on her school.
She enjoyed the social aspect of being a head girl and being there for chat when her peers needed her.
Next year she was planning on studying either medical imaging or radiation therapy.
Achievements
Head girl (2024); boarding leader (2023); Rowing Maadi Cup (bronze), netball senior A, basketball senior A, sports blue, Netball NZ national development camp (all 2024); Dunedin U16 representative (netball), Dunedin U18 national champs representative (netball) (all 2023); Netball NZ South Island national development camp (2023, 2024); Netball South Steel Steps Accelerator Programme (2023-24); Level 2 NCEA endorsed with excellence (2023); NZ U18 development camp, rowing (2024); Maadi Cup - bronze medallist in u17 pair (with Georgia Graham); SISS championships, rowing, 4th U17 single, 2nd U17 pair (2023); St Hilda's A netball team (since 2022); Otago U18 Team (2023).
Role model
Mother and netball coach Belinda Colling.
Hopes for the future
Continue playing sport and travel the world.
