Lara, who took on the role of Clubs Manager in early 2019, received both the Women’s Player of the Year and overall Softballer of the Year awards.
Lara started playing softball at age nine, eventually travelling all the way to the United States to study and play softball, first for the University of Delaware and later for Pennsylvania’s Rebellion. Lara was the first New Zealander to play in the United States Pro Fastpitch League.
In her role at the University, Lara is aiming to make clubs an integral part of the student experience to help students achieve greater academic success, make stronger social connections, and transition successfully into a career.
“I believe my experiences at University in the United States, combined with my softball career, and passion for sport and youth development helps me to relate to our students here at Victoria University of Wellington. I can relate to balancing academics and the commitment dedicated to my passion, the pressures of leadership, and also the stress of managing a club and providing an environment that supports others
“The skills I have learned through sport, academics, life—living overseas and being Māori—are all skills that are transferable to supporting our youth to achieving their goals and being success if their studies. In my role here at the University, I get to help young people develop a range of essential leadership skills to help support them in life inside and outside of University. It’s about growing the whole person and helping them fulfil their full potential,” says Lara.
Lara currently plays for the White Sox and will lead them to the Olympic Games Asia-Oceania qualifying tournament in Shanghai this month. She has also previously captained the White Sox in the 2014 World Series and the Asia Pacific Cup international tournament in Sydney last summer, as well as leading her local Hutt Valley team to two National Fastpitch Championship titles.
Lara is also a Sport New Zealand Ambassador and UNICEF mentor.