Austin Mitchell has learnt how being young does not shield you from life’s challenges.
The 13-year-old Rotorua Intermediate student turned those lessons into Aspirations to be Great, a book written to reassure others his age they are not alone and that setbacks do not have to “take away your shine”.
Austin’s debut book was published last week and blended practical rugby league, touch and rugby drills with reflections on mental health, confidence and perseverance.
Fuelled by Austin’s passion for oval-shaped ball sports, it encouraged young players to back themselves, confront self-doubt and step into new opportunities, reinforcing the message that “size doesn’t matter”.
It took about five months to write the book, but the lessons on resilience had been built over years.
Austin wrote about stepping into the role of the “little big brother” and becoming a protective presence for his sister, who lives with cancer and intellectual disabilities.
He reflected on the loss of his nana, Ena, who he described as his biggest supporter.
He wrote that he was the first at the scene after she suffered a heart attack, breaking into her home and staying with her until help arrived. She passed away later that week.
On the sports field, missing out on representative selection, being sidelined, and recovering from a serious neck injury tested Austin’s confidence, leaving him questioning his place despite putting in extra training and effort.
Encouraged by his father, Mitch, Austin began putting his thoughts on paper.
Mitch drew on his experience as an army commander and combat specialist and introduced Austin to mindset techniques to help rebuild his confidence.
The approach focused on mental resilience and positive self-talk, including standing in front of a mirror to practise affirmations, something Austin initially found difficult, as his confidence was so low he “couldn’t look at himself in the mirror”.
Austin’s reflections grew into lessons that linked the discipline of sport with the realities of life off the field. As his confidence returned, he began shaping those reflections into a book around skill development, alongside messages about mindset and resilience.
Support from within the Rotorua sporting community also played a role.
Austin was invited to join Bay of Plenty rugby league under-18 training sessions, where he trained alongside older and more experienced players and received ongoing guidance from group mentors.
Writing the book was also a way for Austin to give back to his family by helping ease the financial pressure on his parents.
He hoped any money raised could help cover the cost of his sports commitments, including gear, fees and equipment.
As the title of his book suggested, Austin aspired to be great.
That ambition was grounded firmly in sport. Rugby league remained Austin’s favourite code, valued for its pace, physicality and decision-making, although rugby and touch also played a regular role in his training and development.
Austin said he looked up to former NRL great Jonathan Thurston, and was inspired by the way Thurston pushed through early setbacks and carved out a career defined by leadership, preparation and persistence rather than physical size.
He maintained a strong focus on his academics, and had also considered becoming a coach or a commentator for the game in the future.
Mitch said he and Austin’s mother were “so proud of how he’s grown”, watching him go from being shy and withdrawn to confident and well-spoken, describing that change as the most significant outcome of the journey.
Austin’s book had been nominated for a New Zealand Book Awards youth category and is available at local businesses, including McLeod’s Booksellers and My Barber Rotorua, priced at $24.99.
Rotorua Central Mall Paper Plus has signed copies of the book.
Austin planned to donate copies of his book to Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports Club, where he had previously played, wanting to help the club rebuild after a fire destroyed its building in October.
Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.