When Dani Seiga met her sporting heroes, the Ford Football Ferns, it was a bittersweet moment. At this time of year, the 15-year-old would normally be preparing for her season in goal for her Northern United U15 Girls football team. 

Instead, she has spent months between bed and hospital, in constant pain, meeting her heroes from a wheelchair, with a feeding tube. 

Dani has been diagnosed with abdominal vascular compression syndrome (AVCS), a rare condition that makes eating extremely difficult, with even small amounts causing severe pain, nausea and vomiting. She is also living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects connective tissue and adds further complexity to her treatment. 

With no treatment available in New Zealand, Dani is preparing to travel to Germany for life-changing surgery, scheduled for 28 April in Düsseldorf.

With the threat of Cyclone Vaianu looming, the OFC Woman’s World Cup qualifiers were bought forward by a day, bringing the Ford Football Ferns to Hamilton on Saturday 11th April for their semi-final against Fiji.

Before the game, the Ferns met Dani and some of her Northern United teammates. 

Graeme Blake and his daughters were there, having placed the winning bid in a fundraising auction. He said "The Ferns were amazing, it was so awesome of them to give their time so freely just prior to such an important match. It was particularly touching to see how all the Ferns goal keepers gathered around Dani and it was great to hear them swapping stories and having banter about their on-field experiences. It was heart warming to see the smile this brought to Dani’s face."

Photo: NZ Football | Dani meets Vic Esson, Ford Football Ferns Goalkeeper

Dani is a bright, energetic teenager who has always thrived on being active, competitive and part of a team environment.

Dani's coach at Northern United, Shane Gleeson, says "Dani has been a dedicated goalkeeper and much-loved member of our Academy girls’ team for the past three years. Her determination, resilience, and positive energy make a real difference every time she’s part of the squad—she’s truly the kind of player every team values.

Her presence always lifts those around her, and we’re all looking forward to the day she’s back out on the field with us. In true Dani fashion, she’s already setting her sights high, saying, “I’ll be ready to go two weeks after surgery!”"

Dani currently relies on advanced nutritional support, including total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which delivers nutrients directly into her bloodstream, alongside tube feeding that bypasses her stomach. 

Walking even short distances is difficult due to constant pain, and much of her time is spent in bed. Most of 2025 and now 2026 has been marked by repeated hospital admissions, with time at home often ending in ambulance trips back to emergency care. 

Photo: Dani meets the Ford Football Ferns goalkeepers

In the months since her diagnosis, the football community has rallied around her.

Her club, Northern United Sports Club, organised a “Great Cause” tournament that brought together female teams from across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with entry fees going to Dani’s fund.

They've organised a quiz night on 19 April in Hamilton, with all proceeds going to Dani. Details below. 

Another quiz night was organised in March by Goals for Good, a group of volunteers from across several Hamilton football club, raising more than $5,300. 

Special thanks to Michael Mayne, Head Coach, Ford Football Ferns, who organised the meet and greet.

Dani and her family have currently reached $32,000 of their $200,000 goal. 

To donate: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-15-year-old-dani-get-life-saving-surgery

Article added: Wednesday 15 April 2026