Lara is “a bit of a legend” says Associate Director Sport and Recreation, Karl Whalen. She was the first New Zealander to become a professional softball player in the United States (Professional Fastpitch League for Pennsylvania’s Rebellion); is a veteran player for The New Zealand White Sox; a ‘Balance is Better’ Ambassador for Sport New Zealand; and a Unicef mentor in a programme connecting professional athletes to New Zealand primary schools. Lara also ran softball clinics for kids in her Lower Hutt community, “using softball as a way to teach life”.
Lara, who has a Ngāti Ruanui, Rarotongan and Pakeha background, was raised by her grandparents and brought up in a large close family. She says sport was her ticket to higher education and much more. “It’s a part of who are we are as people, we value sport as a tool and as an avenue for our family to learn.” She started playing softball at age nine and never looked back. Representing New Zealand at 15 eventually led to a scholarship to study at Itawamba Community College in Tupelo, Mississippi. Lara says sport opened doors for her in more ways than one. Moving from Mississippi to New York and, eventually, Delaware, Lara completed a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and then went on to gain a PhD in Human Development in Science at the University of Delaware, while playing Division One softball
Her sport eased the way for her socially and academically. “Softball was my buffer. I know what it’s like to really thrive or have a passion for something, whether it’s in the cultural, sporting or political space.” Coming from an education in Te Reo Māori until age 18, Lara found community and academic support through softball. “If you can have a good experience through a club, a group, building relationships, or having a network, then it actually helps you survive in university. You automatically have friends, something in common with others; differences disappear when you like to do the same thing.”
Fresh from the 2019 Asia-Pacific Cup in early February where she was noted as The White Sox’ ‘best batter’ by commentators, Lara has her eye on a couple of milestones. One is making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a goal that is within reach with the qualifying tournament being held in Shanghai, China, in September. “It’s been a long time coming for me, and this is the final sprint.” The other is making clubs participation at Victoria University of Wellington an integral part of the student experience. Having spent eight years in the United States studying and playing softball, Lara has learned a thing or two about the value of involvement in her university beyond academic study. She wants all students to understand that they have something to offer the University community and that involvement in clubs can lead to greater academic success, stronger social connection, and assist with career transition. There are over 180 clubs on offer here, and Lara is pretty sure that there is something for everyone.
With the Clubs Expo (5-7 March at the Kelburn campus) coming up soon, she’s keen for students to check out the range of options at the University and to #JoinAClub. But she says the message is even simpler than the catchy hashtag—joining is about connecting to others and being part of something bigger.