Mar 14 2023
Louisa Wall: Sport and Equality
Louisa Wall is a rare double international, who first played for the Silver Ferns at just 17 years old. She became a Black Fern six years later, winning a World Cup before launching a successful political career.
She’s now New Zealand’s Ambassador for Gender Equality in the Pacific, which includes using sport as a vehicle for equity and equality.
Louisa is in a great place to speak about equality within sports in areas such as culture, privilege, gender, and sexual orientation. In this episode of What I Know Now, she speaks with School Sport NZ CEO Mike Summerell about:
How having a progressive father paved the way for her to enjoy sportLooking back on the significance of her childhood sport Being banned from playing rugby as a 5-year-oldThe importance of playing a range of sports, including soccer, karate, tennis, and moreThe hierarchy that exists between sports and how it influences opportunities for kidsWhat she learned from doing all her homework at intervals or before school so she had time to play sportHow people targeted some teams she played in for the number of gay playersThe difference today in how people are accepted within sportThe significance of anticipating cultural diversity in sportHow sport allows kids in poverty to talk about their issues How sport helps to build strong, resilient peopleHow to involve young people in sportThe role sport can play in making an equitable society
This is an engaging, in-depth conversation that showcases how sport creates a level playing field for all. It has great insight for parents, coaches, and administrators looking to make sports even more accessible so anyone can benefit from it.