Bae Fountain | Sport

Being active and striving for excellence has always been part of my nature. I have been involved in team sports since I was five years old, participating in many talented and successful teams over the years. Water Polo first featured in my final year of Primary school, which then lead me to involvement at a club level when I moved to Tauranga. My selection into a New Zealand age group team in 2015 provided me with opportunities to train, play and compete with other capable players and fueled my desire to do well in the sport. I have since gone on to represent New Zealand in several New Zealand Water Polo teams, including the New Zealand School Boys and Youth Men’s. My greatest accomplishment is my selection into the New Zealand Senior Men’s team at 16, where I have held my position for the last three years. My success in Water Polo has been the result of setting goals, dedicating hours to practise, listening to feedback, reflecting on challenges and having the support of my whanau. My sporting journey has allowed me to travel around the world and to form many lifelong friendships, and for this, I am grateful. My future goals include representing at an Olympic level and reinvesting in my country through pioneering water polo programs and education throughout New Zealand. If I am offered this scholarship I will use it to support funding my next competition in the FINA World Youth Men’s Championship in Kuwait this December.