FOLAU Maria < Back  
Sport Netball
CGA New Zealand   
Gender Women
Born 18 Feb 1987 in Tokoroa, NZL
Height1.88 m
Weight 79 kg
Human Interest
Further Personal Information
Residence Auckland, NZL
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team Northern Mystics: Auckland, NZL
General Interest
Hobbies Shopping, riding her skateboard. (northernmystics.co.nz, 12 Aug 2010)
Hero / Idol Her parents, New Zealand netball player Bernice Mene. (northernmystics.co.nz, 12 Aug 2010; squashorbit.com, 18 Feb 2010)
Sport Specific Information
Name of coach Debbie Fuller [club], Waimarama Taumaunu [national]
When and where did you begin this sport? She began playing netball at age eight at Chaucer School in Auckland, New Zealand.
International Debut
Year 2005
Competing for New Zealand
Location Kingston
General Interest
Nicknames Gisele, Ria, Rinx (northernmystics.co.nz, 30 Sep 2013)
Further Personal Information
Higher education Fashion Design - University of Auckland: Auckland, NZL
General Interest
Famous relatives Her partner Roi Hansell-Pun is a rugby player in France. (nzwomansweekly.co.nz, 15 Jul 2013)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport? She was inspired to take up the sport after watching a match between New Zealand and Australia.
General Interest
Most influential person in career Her parents. (northernmystics.co.nz, 30 Sep 2013)
Ambitions To become a shoe designer. (nzherald.co.nz, 15 Oct 2012)
Sport Specific Information
Preferred position / style / stance / technique Goal attack
Training Regime She trains six days a week. Her regime includes weights and speed sessions, court specific conditioning, skills training and endurance work.
International Debut
Opponent Jamaica
Further Personal Information
Occupation Athlete
General Interest
Other information OTHER ACTIVITIES
She has been an ambassador for Canteen since 2008. The charity provides help to teenagers with cancer and their families. She featured in television commercials for the charity in 2009 and 2012. (samoanbios.com, 01 Jan 2013; nzherald.co.nz, 15 Oct 2012)
Further Personal Information
Family Partner Roi Hansell-Pun