On The Up: Rotorua teen squash star Animaia Payne to represent New Zealand

Animaia started playing squash aged 9 after seeing her dad play.

A bored habit of hitting a ball around while waiting for her dad has morphed into international sporting success for a Rotorua 13-year-old.

Animaia Payne has already claimed six major squash titles, including Oceania and national championships, as well as a gold medal at the Aims Games.

Her advice to young aspiring athletes?

“It’s not over when you lose. It’s over when you quit.”

Animaia, a Year 9 student at Western Heights High School, will travel to Melbourne in April to represent New Zealand as part of the 2026 Junior Trans Tasman Test Team.

She was selected in the U15 girls section of the juniors despite being only 13.

“I’m really proud of myself for achieving something like that, it was my dream,” Animaia told the Rotorua Daily Post.

She said she started playing squash aged 9 after seeing her dad play.

“I was always at the squash club with my dad, and there was this one little court. I just got super bored, then I was hitting the ball.”

Now four years into the sport, Animaia had a successful 2025 squash season, winning six major titles.

She was the Oceania Junior Squash Championships Under-13 champion, and at the New Zealand Junior Squash Championships, secured the national under-13 crown.

She also took out first place at the Aims Games, Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, beating out 31 other squash players from around the country.

Animaia Payne will travel to Melbourne in April to represent New Zealand.

Her dominance extended regionally, earning titles as the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Champion and the Bay of Plenty Primary/Intermediate champion.

She currently plays for Geyser City Squash Club but also has ties to Waikite Valley Squash.

Her current grade is B1, and her goal is to get to A2 while she’s still 13.

“It’s an individual sport, so you rely on yourself to do everything and not your team.”

Animaia said she loved the physical side of squash the most and “getting a good match”.

She said she felt “super proud” to be representing New Zealand and was excited about the experience.

“There will be heaps of girls that are just crazy good and next level.”

On April 10, Animaia will represent New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Junior Test.

She will then play in the Australian Junior Open from April 12 to 15 and the Oceania Junior Championships from April 16 to 19.

Scott Payne, Animaia’s father, said she was always the one pushing to play and wanting to train.

“I’m always the type, if you want to do it, do it, so I’ve never had to push her or drive her.”

Animaia Payne (13) won the Squash New Zealand U13 Girls National Title last year. Photo / Supplied

Payne said what stood out most was Animaia’s determination and how she was “really driven”.

“You watch her play, and she makes it look easy. But what people don’t realise is that a lot of hard work and effort goes in behind the scenes.”

He said the pair had a “close bond” because they had been on the squash journey from day one together.

“We go away and play tournaments together and she coaches me, I coach her, but now she gets a bit grumpy with me because she thinks she knows better.”

Payne said he believes if Animaia keeps going, she could “definitely” be a professional.

“She’s the one who wants to do better herself, which is probably the best thing about it all.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.