Inspiring the next generation through football and dedication
“Playing in the Olympics was a lifelong goal of mine, so to get to this point was incredibly special and is something I will forever be proud of,” Massey alumna Paige Satchell shares. For Paige, football was far more than a sport—it was a dream that shaped her life, took her to international heights, and now fuels her passion for inspiring the next generation.
Growing up in Rotorua, Paige’s passion for football began at just five years old, inspired by her older sister, Eillish, who was already playing, and her parents, who coached junior teams. “Naturally, I wanted to follow suit and start playing as well,” Paige shares. She recalls the strong family foundation that supported her ambitions, “I loved growing up in Rotorua. It gave me such a great upbringing, and my parents still live there, so I visit home frequently.”
Her passion quickly transformed into dedication. She began playing for Ngongotaha AFC at the age of five and later joined Rotorua United as her second youth club, where she played from 13 to 16. By the age of 14, her talents caught the attention of scouts at a National Talent Centre camp.
“That camp was a turning point for me,” she recalls. “It was my first step toward joining the New Zealand U17 team. After that, I spent years travelling from Rotorua to Auckland every weekend for training and games. If it wasn’t my dad driving me up, I was catching the bus! It was a huge commitment, but it was my dream to play in a World Cup for New Zealand, and it was all worth it,” Paige says.
Shining on the world’s biggest stages
Paige’s rise through the ranks was rapid and remarkable. She represented New Zealand at the 2014 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup and made her senior debut with the Football Ferns in 2016 – her final year of high school.
“My debut for the Football Ferns was such a special moment because it was something I had worked so hard toward for a very long time. My family and I made so many sacrifices to get to this point, so to take the field for the first time for my country is a moment I will never forget.”
There have been many milestones throughout her career, including the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, where she played against some of the best teams in the world, including Australia, the USA, and Sweden, and even secured an assist in the match against the USA. “The 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games was a massive highlight for me. Playing in the Olympics was a lifelong goal of mine, so to get to this point was incredibly special and is something I will forever be proud of.”
Another deeply moving moment for Paige was the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, held here in New Zealand. “To walk out into a sold-out Eden Park here in New Zealand was a dream come true. To have that backing from a home crowd and to play in front of friends and family on the biggest stage was a very proud moment. Also, to win this game 1-0 was an incredible achievement for the team!”
Paige’s talent has taken her across the globe, leading to exciting professional opportunities in Germany, Australia, and the UK. In 2019, she signed her first professional contract with SC Sand in the German Frauen-Bundesliga. She later played in Australia’s W-League for Canberra United and Sydney FC before returning to New Zealand to join Wellington Phoenix in 2022. Following her standout performance in the 2023 World Cup, she joined the London City Lionesses, where she continues to make her mark. On 19 November 2023, she scored her first goal for the Lionesses in an away match at Lewes, a proud milestone in her career.
The commitment behind Olympic glory
From a young football enthusiast to competing at the Olympics is a great accomplishment, and it also comes with huge dedication and effort behind the scenes. “Making the Olympic team was a huge commitment, and it wasn’t just about the year leading up to the games; it was years of work in the making.”
Firstly is the rigorous physical demands involved. She says, “The physical preparation for an event like the Olympics is enormous. You have to ensure that you’re peaking at the right time to perform at your best on the world stage.”
Mental resilience is as critical as physical readiness. “We participated in numerous workshops and worked closely with psychologists, both individually and as a team, to develop strategies for managing the pressures of competing at this level.”
Balancing a football career with studies
After graduating high school in 2016, Paige enrolled at Massey University, pursuing a Bachelor of Sports Management through online learning. Asked what brought her to Massey, Paige shares, “Being an athlete is a finite career, so it was always essential for me to have a plan for life after professional sport. Massey University was the perfect choice because it allowed me to balance my studies with my professional football commitments overseas. Sport has always been my passion, so to be able to find an academic field that I was passionate about studying was an added bonus.”
Paige was also involved in the Massey University Academy of Sport, which supported her sporting endeavours and helped her balance her studies at the same time. “I studied part-time for my entire degree, which meant it took me longer to complete, but it was the perfect balance,” she explains.
“It allowed me to continue competing at the highest level while taking meaningful steps toward my future beyond sport. I encourage any athlete to study and have a plan beyond sport, and with the support that Massey University offers, as well as the wide range of programmes provided, it is an excellent option for athletes,” Paige shares.
Giving back and inspiring the youngsters
Paige coached youth football in 2020; for her, it was all about giving back. She remembers the impact of meeting her idols as a young player. “When I was 15, the Football Ferns came to a training camp and signed my shirt. This had such a significant impact on me and is still something I remember and tell people about to this day. “
“While I was playing football, I would always try to get out to supporters and fans after the games. For me, it was super important to give back and have these conversations with people because you never know the impact you might have on these young girls and boys who also have dreams of playing for New Zealand one day,” she adds.
This year, Paige started working at Long Bay College as a Sports Coordinator, overseeing multiple sporting codes, including netball, rugby, volleyball, and athletics. It also involves a lot of time management, attention to detail, organisation and effective communication.
“Having played football for so many years and having the experience of playing at the highest level, I’ve gained a skillset and knowledge of the game that I could then transfer into a coaching capacity,” Paige says. “I have always enjoyed working with youth, so having the opportunity to express and share my passion for football with others through a coaching role was extremely rewarding. I hope that by using my platform as a New Zealand representative, I have been able to inspire the next generation on their own sporting journeys.”
Her advice to aspiring athletes is simple yet profound, “Enjoy the process and be in the moment. In such a high-pressure environment, with so many external opinions from media and critics, it’s important to focus on your own development and remember that you do this because you love it. The pressure can easily consume you, but for me, I played my best football when I was happy and having fun.”
All photos supplied.