She's the top dog! KIWI SCHOOL GIRL'S A PAW-FECT CHAMP 
Woman’s Day Magazine NZ|September 26, 2022
Auckland teenager Rhian is already a star in the competitive world of greyhound racing
Dionne Christian
She's the top dog! KIWI SCHOOL GIRL'S A PAW-FECT CHAMP 

She's only 13 years old, but Rhian Farrell already works with elite athletes - it's just that the ones she oversees are four-legged. The South Auckland high school student is one of Aotearoa's youngest certified greyhound handlers and is now being recognised for positive contributions to the sport.

Earlier this year, she became the youngest recipient of the New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association's Board Award for under-30s. An unsuspecting Rhian received her award in front of racegoers and Trackside TV cameras at a race meet on her Manukau home-ground.

"I had no words," remembers Rhian. "I was shocked! It took me a while to wrap my head around it."

It's deserved recognition for the teenager, the third generation in her family to race greyhounds after grandmother Glennis and mum Shelley. Rhian turns down invitations to friends' homes for Saturday-night sleepovers because she needs to be up bright and early on Sundays for races and, during school holidays, she'll travel with Glennis to out-of-town events.

Rhian is a staunch advocate for greyhound racing, saying it requires more care, attention and dedication than many realise, and she'd like the public to take a fresh look at the oft-criticised sport.

This story is from the September 26, 2022 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 26, 2022 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NZView All
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024