Outstanding sportsperson looks back on journey

It’s been an extraordinary year for the middleweight boxer, culminating in representing New Zealand at the 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Thailand for Olympic 2024 qualification.

She just missed out, losing to a Mexican professional fighter who went on and qualified from tournament and competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics. In a sport of fine margins, the Mexican fought an Australian who defeated ACSS Read at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands and would go on to take bronze at the Olympics.

ACSS Read won silver at the Pacific Games, where she needed gold to qualify. In her build-up to those games and Olympic qualification she was selected to represent New Zealand at a multi-nation camp consisting of training and competition sparring at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Centre.

She has represented Auckland vs New South Wales in a Super 8 Competition, winning both fights against a heavier opponent. She also went down a weight division to secure the New Zealand Golden Gloves Champion Title in 2023.

ACSS Read says she’s been so focused on her goals that she hasn’t had much chance to look back on the journey.

“This award has made me appreciate the journey. It’s really cool to look back at what I’ve done.”

She says she was surprised to get the award, saying she didn’t feel she was worthy. Her focus on Olympic qualification this year has been so relentless that anything less didn’t seem worthy, and with that she is still determined to get there.

Her citation says she approaches every challenge, whether that be at work or at home with a positive attitude and an unshakeable belief in her own ability. It’s a hundred percent plus or not at all.

“This really has been my greatest year so far, and I get emotional thinking about it. I knew an Olympic goal was going to be ambitious at the very least. In reality, based on my situation; a mother of two children under four, navy career, ship postings and courses, having to perform and juggle family, career, and boxing at this level, upon reflection I’m really proud of how close I came. 

“But if I want to achieve something, whatever struggles, whatever comes my way, I’ll do what it takes to get there, regardless. This year, I didn’t let anything get in my way.”

She says she did everything she could this year to qualify. “What is great for me is seeing the progress I’ve made in such a short space of time, and getting funding on short notice. You know, from my very first fight, the deal was sealed for me. This process has just added to the fire that has always been there.

“I know I belong out there, internationally, with the best. That’s the caliber I believe I am.”

ACSS Read extends her passion for sport and fitness to volunteer work. She is an advocate for all women’s sports, frequently volunteering her time to coach and train other women (and men) in boxing, helping them build confidence, discipline, and self-esteem.

She volunteers her time once a week to share her boxing knowledge and experience by taking early morning boxing conditioning sessions for those wanting something a little different. In addition, Deanne again volunteers her time to take boxing sessions for Navy’s ‘Wahine Only’ gym sessions, also scheduled once a week.

For 2025, ACSS Read is changing to become a Physical Training Instructor. “Becoming a PTI aligns well with my dreams and desires. I’m going to be busy. I plan to have a strong build-up to the Commonwealth Games, which will put me in good stead for the next Olympic Games.”

“I’m not just doing it for me now. I’m doing this for my late coach Fili Maka, who sadly passed while I was trying to qualify in Thailand. I hope that his legacy will live on through me.”