Kia ora,
Ko Mārama Makea tōku ingoa. He uri tēnei no Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Kahungunu 💙💜. I kuraina ahau ki te whare wānanga o Eastern Illinois hei tauira, kaitākaro poiuka i te marama o Haratua rua mano rua tekau mā whā 🐾💙
He āheinga nui tēnei, kia kōkiri ai te kēmu poiuka.
Returning home to New Zealand, Marama Makea has taken the next step in her softball journey, joining The Dugout whānau after years of competing in the highly competitive world of NCAA Division 1 Softball at Eastern Illinois University. Proud of her Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu heritage, Marama is excited to share her experiences from the U.S. and inspire the next generation of New Zealand softball players.
Reflecting on her time in the NCAA, Marama describes how the experience has shaped her as both an athlete and an individual. One of the most valuable lessons she learned on the field was developing a "what’s next" mindset, which helped her navigate the ups and downs of softball. As she explains, "Softball is a game of failure, even at the highest levels. Mistakes happen all the time, but the key is not letting them affect the next play. What matters most is how you bounce back and use those moments as opportunities to grow."
She also emphasizes the importance of mental toughness, a quality she believes is critical for success in the game. This mental strength not only allows players to recover from setbacks quickly but also helps them build confidence, whether they’re stepping up to bat or defending on the field. Beyond the diamond, Marama highlights how balancing academics with athletics played a significant role in her development. She found that strong team culture was essential, allowing her to build trust and confidence within the team. "When you have a team that communicates well, trusts each other, and has confidence in each other’s abilities, you perform better both individually and as a group," she says.
Returning home to New Zealand after such an intense and immersive sporting experience has been a transition, but one Marama has embraced with open arms. "It’s always good to be back ki te wā kāinga (back home)," she smiles, reflecting on the change from waking up every day to focus solely on softball in the U.S. "It was a dream come true to wake up every day and play the sport I love. The life of a college athlete is all about the grind, getting up every day to train and compete, something every athlete dreams of."
Her time overseas has undoubtedly influenced her approach to the game here in New Zealand. She’s brought back a sharpened focus on skill development, a stronger mental approach, and a deeper understanding of the importance of teamwork. These lessons, Marama explains, are what she’s excited to instill in local practices and games, raising the level of play within the community.
With her experience playing at a high level, Marama is passionate about passing on advice to young athletes who aspire to follow in her footsteps. Her message is simple but powerful: "Give it your best effort at practices and games, and trust the process," she advises. She believes that consistency and dedication are key, even when progress seems slow. Most importantly, she encourages young athletes to find joy in the game. "If you love what you’re doing, everything else will fall into place."
Now that she’s back in the local softball scene, Marama’s focus is on getting better every day. "My goal now is to focus on getting 1% better every day—just 14:24 minutes of my day," she shares, echoing advice from her college coach. This approach is something she’s eager to pass on to the next generation, as she works to help young athletes develop their skills, instill a strong work ethic, and, above all, enjoy the game. "I see myself contributing to the community by sharing my experiences and knowledge with the rangatahi (young people). My hope is to inspire more rangatahi to give poiuka (softball) a try and have fun playing."
Joining The Dugout whānau has been an exciting new chapter for Marama, and she’s thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead. "I’m super excited to be part of The Dugout whānau. It’s such an awesome opportunity, and I’m grateful for it," she says. Working with a team that shares her passion for growing the sport is something that excites her, and she’s eager to contribute to creating programs that will bring more young people into the game. "We’ll be starting with weekly practices to encourage rangatahi to get involved," she adds, looking forward to helping the sport grow locally.
As Marama embarks on this next chapter, her journey from NCAA Division 1 Softball to becoming a leader in New Zealand's softball community is just beginning. With her passion, experience, and commitment to giving back, The Dugout is proud to welcome her and support her in inspiring and developing the next generation of athletes.