The 30-year-old sprinter moved to Cambridge in January to join BikeNZ's high performance programme, but some poor performances at the national championships in March saw her de-carded.
She is not ready to give up on her dream yet and will attempt to ride her way back into the national team during the three-day BikeNZ Cup starting in Cambridge today.
''I've got a few challenges but I feel like I'm on the right track now,'' Schofield told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
''I want to be back in that squad and training with the team again.
"I have to showcase that I am going to be competitive on the world stage and I just have to show that I'm improving.''
Operating outside the team presents some difficulties.
''It is definitely challenging being here but not being part of it [the team].''
Carded athletes get it all laid on for them but Schofield has been cast adrift.
That means finding another gym to train at, and getting access to and funding practice on the velodrome have also been big hurdles.
When Schofield lost her high performance funding, she was forced to re-evaluate her plans.
''It made me think, is this it for me - have I done all I can? I was definitely looking at other options for work or going back to school and doing a PhD.
''But, at the end of the day, I still feel like I haven't even reached my potential yet and so it is now or never.
"I don't what to have that what if kind of feeling if I don't give it another crack.
''It has been hard but I think that is going to help me in the long run. I still feel there is something left.''
Schofield is entered in the match sprint and keirin events. She has not raced ''for a while'' and she hopes to do well.
Her main rival shapes as Stephanie McKenzie.
McKenzie was added to the New Zealand team in May after some devastating performances at the national championships, where she won four titles.
''I think I've made some good decisions around my training. I feel like I'm not in the best state I'd like to be in, but I feel like I'm on the right track.''
Meanwhile, Olympic medallist Simon van Velthooven has cut short his competitive sojourn in Japan to line up in the event.
The Manawatu rider, who has been competing in the Japan Keirin League, was initially not expected to be available for the UCI-sanctioned competition.
However, the London Olympic bronze medallist wants to now focus his attentions back home, based with the rest of the high performance squad.
''Now it is time for me to base myself here with the rest of the squad and put my full focus on making the team sprint for Rio,'' he said.
Van Velthooven was in the team that finished fifth in London but was not in the combination that won the world championship and the gold medal in Glasgow this year, focusing more on keirin racing.
Most of the Glasgow medallists will be in action in Cambridge this week to take on the international competition, as well as press claims for next month's Oceania championships in Adelaide.
