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National | Māori Sports Awards

Womens Rugby Sevens player Tyla Nathan-Wong finalist for Te Tamāhine-a-Papatūānuku award

Tyla Nathan-Wong (Ngāpuhi) has once again been announced as a finalist in the Te Tamāhine-a-Papatūānuku section of the Māori Sports Awards.

This section recognises our top junior sportswomen of the year.  Te Kāea spoke to her about her many achievements in the past year.

At only 20 years old, Tyla Natha-Wong has already achieved so much.  Last year she won this prestigious award and this year, her efforts are again being recognised.

Tyla Nathan-Wong says, "It's an amazing achievement and I’m honoured and privileged to be named a finalist alongside some pretty awesome talent."

She has been a part of the New Zealand Women’s Rugby Sevens squad who have won the past two world titles.

"(For) 2014, would definitely be winning the world series again with the girls.  We ended up going to Amsterdam and playing Australia in the final and beat them," Nathan-Wong recalls.

Her achievements don't stop there.  She is also a finalist at this year’s Sport Waiteke Excellence awards for Sportsperson of the year and Māori Achievement Award.

"I’m just really honoured and privileged to be acknowledged, but it's not just me.  It's the hard work my team has put in as well.  I wouldn't be here without my team mates," says Nathan-Wong.

Although the New Zealand women’s squad is at the top of their game, Tyla believes there is always room for improvement.

Tyla Nathan-Wong says, "Teams are changing all the time and getting better all the time so we just got to make sure we continue to train hard and push ourselves."