By ALAN PERROTT
It's just as well 14-year-old Hannah Sarney didn't end up with egg on her face after her first senior women's hockey match, because it might well have killed her.
The budding representative goalkeeper suffers from extreme allergies to eggs, nuts and dairy products as well as severe asthma.
She has had several close calls, including a near-death experience when she confused a glass of egg whites for apple juice.
Just touching dairy products can be life threatening.
But Hannah's success in overcoming early predictions that her illnesses would condemn her to a homebound life have won her a Young Kauri award.
"I was always told I would never be a sporty kid because of everything that should be holding me back, but I make sure I look after myself properly and do my best. Everyone worries about me. I'm always asked 'are you all right?' or 'are you feeling okay?' But I've been like this all my life, I'm not going to grow out of it so I just had to learn to live with it and try to do well."
There were many raised eyebrows when the diminutive stringbean was drafted into the Somerville women's premier team as understudy for Black Sticks number one keeper Helen Clarke.
When Clarke went to the Olympics with the Black Sticks, Hannah had an early baptism of fire.
Her first appearance, while still a third former at Rangitoto College, was in an 8-0 drubbing of defending champions and arch-rivals University.
"A few people thought I'd be a soft touch because I am the smallest player on the field. Some players barged into me, but you just get up and say nothing. We went through the season undefeated, so I think I have won some respect."
But that was just one match in a season during which Hannah played for four different teams ranging from the lofty heights of premier one to the Rangitoto College 2nd XIs.
"I've got used to playing premier league, I even played the men's team. You've got to be able to play different styles and anyway the under-18 players can hit the ball just as hard."
Her enthusiasm for helping any team in need meant Mondays were her only nights free of training or playing during the hockey season.
Hannah is positive about the difficulties she faces and says the necessity of being constantly aware of potential dangers has assisted her success.
"It forces you to focus on what you are doing and I also eat very healthy food. When you have the allergies I have, all you are left with is healthy food. I eat well, but I still eat a lot."
Fourteen honoured
Fourteen young people are honoured in this year's New Zealand Herald Young Kauri Awards.
Special certificates, signed by our 2000 patron, world and Olympic champion rower Rob Waddell, will be sent to each youngster. The Herald will also give them small kauri trees to mark their awards. Our finalists are:
Nathan Alley, 9, of Tokoroa.
Emma Clarkson, 11, Lynfield.
Nicole Copeland, 14, Glendene.
Te Akonga Hamilton, 12, Kawakawa.
Briar Dye-Hutchinson, 11, Murrays Bay.
Milutin Ilic, 13, Browns Bay.
Kimberley Lewis, 10, Mission Bay.
Samuel Muir-James, 15, Papakura.
Chelsee Peita, 12, Moerewa.
Oliver Polson, 15, Te Kuiti.
Hannah Sarney, 14, Campbells Bay.
Rebekah Smith, 14, Te Rapa.
Kane White, 10, Epsom.
Reon Te Moananui, 11, Mangere.
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