When Daniella joined Special Olympics New Zealand through Papakura Club, she was following in her older brother Harlyn’s footsteps. Today, at just 16 years old, she has represented New Zealand at international golf tournaments in Scotland and the United States and made friends from around the world.
As an autistic young woman, Daniella has worked hard to manage anxiety, navigate unfamiliar situations and overcome the perfectionism that once made it difficult to move on after a bad shot. Through golf, she has built confidence, practised social skills, travelled internationally and discovered opportunities she never thought possible.
But as Daniella’s golfing journey grew, she began noticing something else. She was often the only girl competing.
It became a question she regularly asked her mum, Julia.
“Why am I the only girl playing?”
Today, helping change that has become part of Daniella’s purpose.
While golf has opened doors she never expected, she hopes sharing her story will encourage more girls and women with intellectual disabilities to give sport a go and discover where it could take them.
“I know what it’s like to feel anxious,” Daniella says.
“No matter the pressure, give it a go anyway, and be brave. Don’t doubt yourself.”
Finding Her Place
Daniella first discovered golf by following her older brother Harlyn onto the course. After playing netball at school, golf became something they could enjoy together with their dad.
When the family joined Special Olympics New Zealand’s Papakura Club, both siblings became involved. While Harlyn later chose to play golf more recreationally, Daniella continued to develop her skills and discovered a passion for the sport.
Golf has become an important part of Daniella’s life. She enjoys the challenge and routine it brings.
Most mornings before school, she chooses to get up early for 30 minutes on the exercise bike before completing strength training. Weekends often begin with golf practice.
Music helps set the tone for the day. Pop rock plays through her headphones while she trains, helping her feel motivated. It’s all part of a routine that helps her start the day feeling focused and ready.
Learning Through Challenge
Daniella is open about the challenges she has faced on the golf course.
“It was hard because I was a perfectionist and I expected everything to be on point. Every time bad stuff happened, I would lose my composure very easily.”
Over time, she has found strategies that help.
Deep breathing.
Positive self-talk.
Words of affirmation.
Before every round, she quietly reminds herself:
“I believe in myself.”
“I choose to be happy.”
Those words help her stay calm and keep her composure when things don’t go to plan.
Julia says those same strategies have helped Daniella not only on the golf course, but in everyday life as well.
More Than Golf
Winning gold at the Special Olympics New Zealand 2025 National Summer Games encouraged Daniella and her family to look at what might be possible beyond New Zealand.
“If it wasn’t for that Special Olympics win, we wouldn’t have gone looking for those opportunities,” Julia says.
That led Daniella to international tournaments in Scotland and later Chicago.
Travelling overseas, experiencing different cultures and meeting athletes from around the world became just as important as competing.
Before travelling to Chicago, Daniella worked with her speech and language therapist to practise conversation skills. She also challenged herself to leave her phone behind during the tournament so she could spend more time talking with other competitors and making new friendships.
The experience helped Daniella practise her social skills, build confidence talking with new people and form friendships that have continued beyond the tournament.
She also returned home with first place in the intellectual disability classification and fourth overall in the women’s competition.
Julia often tells Daniella that “golf will take you places.” It’s a reminder that sport isn’t just about competition.
For Daniella, that has meant much more than travelling overseas. It has given her opportunities to build friendships, experience different cultures, develop confidence and discover what she is capable of.
Inspiring More Girls to Take Part
Being one of the few girls competing strengthened Daniella’s determination to encourage others to get involved.
“Who says women and girls can’t do as much amazing stuff as men?” she says.
“Women should be able to equally do sports, as many sports as men do too. I believe in that, fair and square.”
Her story comes as Special Olympics New Zealand Athlete Leaders are contributing to research with Special Olympics Asia Pacific exploring the experiences of women and girls with intellectual disabilities in sport. By sharing their lived experiences, they’re helping build a better understanding of participation, barriers and opportunities to help shape a more inclusive future for women and girls in sport.
Julia hopes Daniella’s story encourages more families to discover what Special Olympics New Zealand has to offer.
Together, Daniella and Julia hope more girls become involved golf and other sports and they want to raise awareness of the many ways people can become part of the Special Olympics New Zealand community, whether through participating, competing or volunteering.
Being Yourself
Daniella has simple advice for anyone thinking about trying something new.
“You don’t have to be like me,” she says.
“You’re your own person. You can still continue to be inspired by my values. Just do it your way. You’re yourself.”
She hopes other girls and women who feel nervous or unsure will remember that. After all, she knows exactly what it feels like.
“I know what it’s like to feel anxious.”
“No matter the pressure, give it a go anyway, and be brave. Don’t doubt yourself.”
Creating More Opportunities
For Daniella, joining Special Olympics New Zealand has been about much more than golf.
It has given her the chance to build confidence, practise social skills, travel, make lifelong friendships and discover where sport can take her.
Now she hopes more girls and women with intellectual disabilities will be brave and have a go.
Asked what she’d like to do next, Daniella doesn’t hesitate.
“Very far, I guess,” she says with a smile.
“I want to see more of the world that I haven’t seen.”
We’re Freezin’ for a Reason
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge helps create more stories like Daniella’s.
Every dollar raised helps Special Olympics New Zealand provide sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand, helping athletes develop skills, build confidence, make friends and become part of a supportive community.
For Daniella, it all started by giving something a go.
Now she’s encouraging others to do the same.