The 15-year-old has been selected in a 16-strong team to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August.
For the self-described country girl from Oamaru, it is a dream come true. The speedy striker started playing hockey when she was 8 and was taken aback when she received the news. She was at hockey practice when her mother phoned.
"I couldn't say anything, I was lost for words," she said.
"It is so awesome."
Samara said she decided to attend school in Dunedin so she could pursue hockey and "get into some of the rep teams".
She was selected in the Otago Under 16 and Under-18 teams and plays for club side Momona.
Samara is the only player from the region named in the team and one of just three from the South Island. Her ultimate goal, of course, is to play for the Black Sticks.
The team has a training camp in Auckland in two weeks and another in Tauranga before departing for Singapore in early August.
Clyde cyclist Sarah Kate McDonald will join Samara at the event. She will be competing in a relay-style competition.
It was also announced yesterday that national schools triathlon champion Aaron Barclay, from Gore, would be one of two New Zealand triathletes competing in Singapore.
The Games run from August 14-26, with 3600 athletes between 14 and 18 years of age from all 205 National Olympic Committees.
