On the big screen, she’s becoming one of New Zealand’s most recognised teenagers — but on the football pitch, Beth Atkinson has enjoyed being one of the team.

Whether it’s her acting or her football, Beth Atkinson (13) is making the most of life’s opportunities.

The multi-talented youngster plays club football, dances, swims, sings — and last year, starred in the New Zealand feature film The Mountain.

Beth’s been playing football since she was six — first at Hillcrest United FC, and in 2024, with Hamilton Wanderers in an U-14 girls team playing in the Kaimai League.

Photo: Supplied

She’s always enjoyed the social aspect of football, as connecting with friends is important to her.

"The thing I enjoy the most about football is the team around you, supporting you and the drive of the game," she says.

She started to become more serious about her football development, thanks in part to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

With Kirikiriroa Hamilton one of the host cities, Beth had the opportunity to attend several games at the FMG Stadium Waikato.

Seeing world class women’s football opened her eyes to the possibilities of top level senior football.

She says she was inspired by meeting Dame Sarai-Paea Bareman, a Kiwi/Samoan who played for the Samoan national team and is the current chief women's football officer for FIFA.

Beth is keen to commit more energy to football development, to see how far she can go — maybe as far as the Football Ferns one day.

Beth’s parents encourage her to follow her dreams, just as they have supported her other interests.

There is a football connection in the family — Mum Cheri-Lee is a WaiBOP Football board member — but there has never been pressure from her family to take the game more seriously that she wants to.

“I want her to do what fills her cup,” Cheri-Lee says.

“Getting a chance to try and experience a range of different things while she is young, we hope, will give her a foundation for whatever she decides to do when she is older.”

Her natural energy finds an outlet in movement, and she’s been committed to fitting in dance classes, swimming lessons, and football, as well as a variety of school activities.

At 10, she decided she wanted to be an actress, so her parents helped her attend drama classes and audition for movie parts.

A still from 'The Mountain'. Photo: Supplied

In 2022, Beth landed the lead role in The Mountain, a film that resonated with her own story.

With whakapapa to Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata and Kai Tahu, Beth related closely to her character, Sam — a young girl undergoing chemotherapy who is driven to connect with her maunga / mountain, Taranaki, for healing.

The character’s journey was timely and felt personal.

While she’s grown up with Te Reo around her, it’s not spoken fluently at her home.

Significant landmarks such as mountains, rivers and lakes are viewed by Māori as if they were ancestors. Beth’s whakapapa or genealogy includes Mt Taranaki, like her character, Sam.

Her school got behind her while she was absent for filming.

On set, half the crew spoke Te Reo, allowing Beth to immerse herself in the language and culture.

Of her film experience, Beth says: "I learned about acting with all the different camera angles you can use. I learned a lot about work ethic. And I learned so much of my Māori culture while filming and it made it so special that Taranaki is my Maunga."

Football has also provided its share of opportunities.

She participated in the 2024 Wahine Toa programme, where she enjoyed sessions coaching, refereeing, and had a taster of futsal.

She urges others to take opportunities when they come along.

"I definitely encourage people to play football, it is such a fun sport and you can make friends. I have some life-long friends from playing football."

Already, she’s looking forward to another season of football in 2025, and more opportunities to learn.

 And, busy as she is, she’s still keen to try new sports, with volleyball on her list to try “when she can".

Beth Atkinson (in yellow bib) at the Wahine Toa programme in July 2024. Photo/WaiBOP Football

Article added: Wednesday 15 January 2025