St Peter’s School top sportswoman for 2025, Amelia Rettkowicz
Amelia Rettkowicz has won St Peter’s School’s Victrix Ludorum trophy for top all-round sportswoman in 2025.
The award is given to a student with a high level of sporting achievements across multiple codes.
Amelia Rettkowicz, Molly McClintock, Zara O’Leary, Olivia Henry and coxswain Skyla Gillbanks arriving back at the dock after winning their heat in the U15 4X+ (the crew ended up with a silver medal)
“It was such a rewarding feeling after all the time, hard work, extra training that I have put into my sports,” she said.
“I feel it reflects my dedication and consistency over the past seven years, and it’s motivation for me to keep working hard and doing the sport that I love.”
Amelia sampled a range of sports at St Peter’s, including cycling, rowing, cheerleading, netball, athletics, rock climbing and basketball, before finding her passion for lacrosse and volleyball.
She captained the St Peter’s premier girls’ volleyball team in 2024 and 2025, and the premier girls’ lacrosse team in 2025. She was also the school’s lead sports ambassador this year.
Now mainly focused on lacrosse, she represented Waikato in an U15 team in 2023, which won the New Zealand National Championship.
In 2024 she was selected for an U18 Waikato team and a New Zealand U20 team, which competed in the U20 women’s World Championship in Hong Kong. She also travelled to Australia, where her team placed third at the Southern Cross tournament against Australian and Japanese teams.
Amelia Rettkowicz and Poppy Chisholm congratulating each other after their U15 Octuple race while coach Kenna Richmond watches on.
This year, she played U18 lacrosse for Waikato and travelled to Australia with the team, representing New Zealand at the LA Lacrosse National Championship and placing third. She has also played for the University of Waikato in the Waikato club league.
“I am unsure at this point in time with who I want to play for next year, but I’m hoping to make that decision very soon,” she said.
The 18-year-old currently has her sights set on a lacrosse scholarship at an American university and is working through the application process.
“It is very competitive and high-level over there,” she said.
“I also want to continue trialling for New Zealand lacrosse teams to compete on the national stage again, and I want to keep playing volleyball at a high level.”
The young athlete has made many sacrifices to reach her goals.
“Over my time at school, I have had to make priorities and drop other sports and hobbies to gain success in what I love,” she said. “I missed out on parties, trips away and have had many years with no weekends that were free.”
She believes her growth mindset has been the biggest contributor to her success.
“I think it’s important to focus on your mindset before your physicality,” she said.
“By having a growth mindset, it sets you up to want to work hard and not give up even when times get tough. For example, If I am doing a certain move in a game and it keeps failing, instead of being discouraged, I think about what I can do to change it. I find reaching out to someone who has good knowledge and skill in your sport can help you become more successful.”
Amelia has volunteered as a basketball, netball, lacrosse and volleyball coach since year 9.
“Coaching has definitely been a highlight, watching their skills develop when teaching them a drill is so satisfying, especially with students that are focused and invested in their sport,” she said.
She said being a leader had driven her to be more confident and find her voice to support her teammates.
“I also realised it was important to keep myself to a high standard on and off the field or court to be a role model for others.”
Amelia was born in Australia and moved to New Zealand with her family when she was eight. Her mother, Julie, is St Peter’s School’s co-curricular coordinator and her father, Gordon, is a contractor. She has 20-year-old brother, Paul, and a 15-year-old sister, Heidi.
My parents have always supported me in my sports,” she said.
“They have always, and still continue, to push me to be better in what I do. Their positive encouragement has helped me to aim higher and achieve more than I thought I could do.”
In her spare time, Amelia enjoys cooking, sewing, fashion, hanging out with friends, and going to the beach.
This year she studied NCEA level 3 English, mathematics, fashion design, psychology, health and physical education.
She is considering a career as a police officer or high school physical education and health teacher.
Now, as 2026 approaches, she is looking forward to taking her lacrosse journey further and developing her skills.
“Although it’s daunting, I am excited about becoming more independent and taking more opportunities that life will give,” she said.
“I am looking forward to moving from high school to university as it will be a different kind of learning experience.”
Amelia Rettkowicz. PhotoLife
