Personal Statement
Kia ora, My name is Amy-lee Pateman. I am a New Zealand athlete who has been in the New Zealand National Programme from the age of 12 years old.
I started basketball at the age of 10 wanting to try something new and just to keep it as a hobby on the side, but that shortly changed after my first game of basketball when I completely fell in love with the game. I’m quite a competitive person and love a little toughness now and again so by 11 I realised I wanted to be the best I possibly could be and reach the goal of representing my country. In 2019, I was selected for my first New Zealand national programme and successfully made the NZ u14 national squad where we travelled over to Melbourne to compete. From this, I have then selected for the U15 2020 and 2021 NZ national squad which lead to my selection this year into the NZ u17 woman's national team as a bottom age athlete.
From playing in my club's top team for u11-u17 I was able to grow as a player but also as a person learning from my coaches about the game, culture and morals. Good work ethic, respect for one another, staying humble and train hard play hard mentality are what I solely believe in and strive to do on a daily. I know that having good academics will help me be successful which is why my education is one of my top priorities, managing to get the best marks I possibly could get. From this, I believe I will be able to fit into any team or programme.
Although covid has affected New Zealand's 2020 and 2021 basketball seasons, we are looking at competing back to normal for the upcoming years.
