Name: Leni Ma'ia'i (16).
School: John McGlashan College.
Sport: Volleyball.
Achievements: Represented Otago 2009, 2010; South Island 2010 (won Australasian championships); New Zealand Under-20 team for Asian junior championships, Thailand.
Ma'ia'i (16) is the only Otago member of the 12-man New Zealand Under-20 team for the championships in Nakhonpathom and Ratchaburi from October 1 to 11.
"It's been my goal since early last year," he said.
"I've kept that thought in my mind."
Ma'ia'i put into practice the positive mind techniques and big picture learning he learnt from his tutor, Rakesh Pandy.
"It's really good to be selected. I'm stoked," Ma'ia'i said.
He was persuaded to try volleyball as a sport four years ago by John McGlashan College coach Brent Wolf.
"He told me to come along to training and I found I liked it," Ma'ia'i said.
"I started off socialising but as I got to know the game I knew it was a sport I could achieve something in."
He has impressed Wolf , and his other coach Tom Casey, with his progress.
"Leni has the ability to jump high and read the game," Wolf said.
"His ability at blocking is a big asset. He has the potential to get to the top."
Wolf believes that Ma'ia'i has the ability to get to the Olympics.
But the problem for him is to get other players to reach that standard as well.
"Volleyball New Zealand does not have the money and all our tours are self-funded," he said.
Ma'ia'i, like other members of the New Zealand team, must raise $3700 to get to the Asian championships.
He is also talented at basketball and has been in the John McGlashan top team for the last two years.
He loves the outdoors and enjoys snowboarding at the Ohau skifield, bodyboarding at Dunedin beaches and photographing his younger brother Semisi (12) skateboarding.
