No matter the season, you can find Maia Joseph on the field, oval ball in hand.

The 18 year-old is in her senior year at Columba College and has a mammoth year of sporting achievements to date.

Earlier this year she captained the New Zealand 18 Girls at the Youth Trans-Tasman in Newcastle. She debuted for Te Waipounamu in the 2020 Premier Touch League which tapped off last month. And to end her year on a high, she will be gunning for a title at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Touch Nationals this December.

But Touch isn’t the only sport keeping her busy.

Joseph recently made her debut at halfback for the Otago Spirit in the Farah Palmer Cup and has been selected for the upcoming Red Bull Ignite 7’s tournament. Her father, former All Black Jamie Joseph, is her mentor and guiding light, particularly as she tackles more rugby opportunities.

“Since I was young my Dad has always encouraged me to play sport and helped me with both the tactical and mental sides of sport.”

For many, the balancing act would prove challenging, however Joseph has found it fairly easy with the help and support of a strong network of people.

“I rely a lot on my parents, coaches and friends, as well as having good time management and just working hard” Joseph said.

Luckily for Joseph the skills are easily transferable between the codes, her new halfback position even enhancing her strengths on the touch field. 

“I’ve been able to develop my passing and my identification of space has improved massively. I get to maintain my skills from one season to the next through playing both sports.”

Joseph is already looking ahead to next year where she will be attending Otago University to study Health Sciences.

“I’ll continue playing Rugby, Sevens and Touch with the hope of going further in both codes.”

Joseph joins Te Waipounamu Women who will be looking to go back to back after taking out the Championship in the 2019 season. 

Article added: Tuesday 10 November 2020